Cherish Every Day with Love

A Tzu Chi volunteers chats with a resident who stays in a temporary shelter. (Photo by Chen Chung-Ming; date: 2016/02/06; location: East Tainan district, Taiwan)

Today is the eve of the Chinese New Year. In her daily Morning Volunteer Assembly, Master Cheng Yen advised us that while welcoming the New Year, we should also purify our hearts just like spring opens a new chapter of the year. Meanwhile, she expressed her concern for the emergency rescue and relief work in Tainan after the deadly earthquake on Saturday. According to the news, many were found alive -- but some lost their lives. Master Cheng Yen felt sorrow for the deceased…

“Despite the fact that we all look forward to the New Year, sometimes things just happened unexpected. Yesterday early morning, an earthquake shook the earth and toppled nearly ten tall buildings, which should make us feel alert and recall Buddha’s teaching — life is impermanent and no-one knows what will happen the very next second. Therefore we must bring Dharma into our hearts and realize Dharma is the ultimate truth that teaches us about life.

“Up until this moment, rescue workers are still looking for survivors. It remains unknown how many people are still inside that fallen 16-story building. The government records 200 families living there, but there were still some residents not registered…

Rescuers send in a blanket to keep a survivor warm while trying to pull the person out. (Photo by Lin Bi-Chi; date: 2016/02/06; location: East Tainan district, Taiwan)

“Fortunately, there were miracles. There was one family whose father escaped unharmed, but his wife and child were trapped inside. The family has a cat which is very close to its owners. In the debris, the family cat stayed with the child and kept crying. The rescue workers noticed the cat and started to search in that area. Then they saw the child trapped under a fallen wall and unable to move. The child started to cry when he saw people coming for him. It took rescuers some time to cut the surrounding steel and carefully secured the environment to prevent further debris falling. After pulling out the child, they also found the wife.

“I am very grateful to Tzu Chi volunteers. At four o’clock in the morning, the volunteers in Tainan were woken by the earthquake and mobilized immediately. They not only reported their own safety but also checked on others. Yesterday, they stationed at the scene of the quake whole day to assist by providing relief goods like blankets, foldable beds as such… I am also grateful to our medical team. Superintendent Lai of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital led a team of doctors to Tainan and offered medical services. I’m sincerely grateful for our team to deliver care with love.

“Not to mention the government officials from Tainan City Government and many others who have participated in the relief work since before dawn yesterday. There are so many things I’d like to express my gratitude for. Whenever disaster happens, we must be on high alert. In the meantime, we have to bear in mind the meaning of welcoming the New Year and spring, inspire our loving hearts and make it flourish just like the prosperity spring brings to the world. Let’s make it our New Year resolution.”