Life Wisdom: Sowing Seeds of Wisdom


The 2021 online Tzu Chi Global Four-in-One Leaders’ Diligence Training officially starts. We saw volunteers from many countries took part in Tzu Chi’s global training. Time is different at various parts of the world. Though there was a time difference, volunteers got online all at the same time to cultivate diligently.

During the training, we heard volunteers from many countries share their Tzu Chi work. Volunteers from India, Nepal, China, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique were all online and talked about their Tzu Chi work. Over 20 thousand volunteers in 48 countries and regions all took part in the training online. We’re all full of gratitude.

They are all Tzu Chi volunteers carrying out Tzu Chi’s work in different countries and give of themselves to help the people in suffering in this world. They all have the same mission. Although volunteers were at different time zone, they all had one thing in common, which was to let everyone know about people’s suffering in their country.
 

With so many disasters around the world now, Tzu Chi is about walking the Bodhisattva Path in this world, reaching out to living beings in suffering and helping them. Thus, bodhisattvas walk on this path in the world, carrying out the same Tzu Chi work according to their time zone. They also listen to my talk. at the same time.

So, in today’s world, the Bodhisattva Path flourishes with modern technology; technology helps it, and it also spreads the Dharma in the world. This is a track of wisdom, and compassion is being spread far and wide. Compassion has been spread all around the world and wisdom has been broadened as well; people give without asking for anything in return while expressing their gratitude to one another.

On Da Ai TV, we can see that in various countries, people of different race serve as Tzu Chi volunteers. Also, we see cars filled with relief goods driving on mountainous roads or in the city. I heard our staff reported that our relief aids arrived in Nepal, and parts of it were delivered to the mountain, but the road was cut off. It’s very shocking to see the roads. They were mindful and wanted to accomplish the task with their ability. Determined to help, they must deliver the relief aid, hence, they will accomplish their mission.
 

The road in the mountain was so dangerous! I’ve also seen besides people transporting the relief goods, they used donkeys. I felt very sad for the donkeys. Humans could not carry the goods on their backs, so they had the donkeys carry the goods. It was so heavy, goods that were carried by several people were all placed on one donkey. The donkey climbed the mountain with goods on its backs, how heavy was it carrying?

The road was very steep, so, looking at the image, I cannot bear the sight. Because we cannot bear to see people suffer at a place without food, we deliver a lot of goods to them. We also see the risk and hardship people had to take when delivering goods, which I had many emotions that I cannot describe. So, I always say that it is hard to describe this in words.

Indeed, things like this do occur in our world, and this is truly incredible; there are so many difficulties, how can we carry out aid missions? So, after seeing their work, I said that safety should be our first priority and we shouldn’t walk on the road in risky condition, even though we know that there are many people needing help over the other side of the road, yet, when the mountain road is cut off and dangerous, what can we do about it? Know our limits, and don’t take big risks.
 

We have seen volunteers serving as living bodhisattvas and overcoming many difficulties; however, I do not encourage this. Being in our world, people should help keep one another safe and well and solve problems. Wherever there are disasters, difficulties, or people suffering poverty and hardship, having aspirations and making vows to help people is certainly a good thing to do and worth encouraging. But, I am worried and concerned about the risk involved.

People who are waiting for help may be at a relatively safe place, but taking a big risk to reach them is a dangerous act; should something happen, we will bear regret in our heart. We must avoid taking such risks. In all, the world is full of contradiction. However, we have to use our wisdom to find a safe way to provide people in the world the help they need.
Don’t underestimate yourself, for human beings have unlimited potential.
- Kata Perenungan Master Cheng Yen -