Life Wisdom: Giving with Humility
We see that recently, many places in Malaysia have been affected by major floods. Our Tzu Chi volunteers there have checked on each other to see if they are safe and well. With enlightened love, they care for one another just like family. In the aftermath, they asked quickly: "Where are the communities that need to be cleaned up?" and "Is manpower needed?" and then mobilized to clean up the places affected by the floods.
More than 3,000 Tzu Chi volunteers have worked in groups to clean up the streets. No matter how many resources there might've been, once a severe flood occurs, the resources will be submerged in water and relief and support will be needed. Our volunteers and people in the severely-affected areas did not know each other. Nonetheless, when our volunteers saw that hose affected were truly in need of help, they mobilized quickly and worked together to purchase food materials and prepare hot meals for those affected.
Some of them prepared the meals and some delivered them to the affected areas. We also see that in places where floodwater had yet to recede, our volunteers used rafts to bring hot meals to those affected in a timely manner. Many houses were flooded, and cooking was impossible as gas had become unavailable.
Wherever a disaster occurs, Tzu Chi volunteers always come forth to provide aid. They sometimes have to transport relief supplies by raft, and volunteers living far away may have to get to the affected areas by plane. They always pool their love together to bring aid and care to disaster survivors. Such is the way of Tzu Chi volunteers.
There are Tzu Chi volunteers in many countries, and in whichever country a disaster occurs, our volunteers there always mobilize quickly to relieve people's suffering. This is how they serve as living Bodhisattvas. There are truly many touching stories. I'd like to say "thank you" to every one of our volunteers. I'm grateful to them for doing what I wish to do and caring for those in need for me, which has set my mind at ease.
Seeing how they work in unity and harmony to help those in need, I'm relieved and grateful indeed. They truly have my admiration. We see Mr. Tan Chee Yioun. He touches me deeply and I'd like to express my admiration for him. He is a very successful and world-renowned entrepreneur. I saw how he helped with the cleanup work in the aftermath of the floods. Whenever he goes out, there are always several entourage members by his side.
Yet, this time, he has also pitched in to help despite his social status. I saw how he did the cleanup work with other volunteers. He not only cleaned the ground but also squatted down to clean chairs. Seeing that, I'm very touched indeed. I truly admire him. Only by humbling ourselves can we become successful people.
As a saying goes, only when one humbles oneself can one stand out from the crowd. I've seen that several entrepreneurs in Malaysia have set a good example for others by working together as living bodhisattvas. They are exemplary not only because they have a successful career, but also because they've been contributing to society by living out the Dharma.
See how they work in unity and harmony for the common good. Yet, disasters have been occurring frequently around the world. The Buddha told us that the world is filled with much suffering. With much suffering to endure, this world is also called the Saha world. Saha means "to endure." So, the Saha world means a world with much suffering to endure.
Only when we can endure suffering can we live a healthy and peaceful life in this Saha world. And, as the world is filled with much suffering, we see that there are actually many good people. To relieve suffering, they have been going amongst people to do good and have thus set a good example for others. They are good people who reach out to people to relieve their suffering. They truly are living Bodhisattvas.
Living bodhisattvas are those who give with enlightened love. As they've awakened to life's truths, they do not get bound by their fame or social status. See how Mr. Tan has transcended his fame and social status. He goes amongst people to relieve their suffering. With the faith that everyone is equal, he gave of himself mindfully in the aftermath of the floods, working with other volunteers to remove sludge and clean desks and chairs.
What he has done is truly worth sharing with all. It also deserves everyone's attention that despite being an entrepreneur, he could squat down to do the cleanup work. This is worthy of our learning. Serving as a living bodhisattva by going amongst people to do good, he has set a good example for us.
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