TZU CHI USA JOURNAL

At the beginning of this year, a wildfire broke out in Los Angeles County, California, USA. From the news footage, we could see the red flames filling the sky in the disaster area, an alarming sight. The fire was coupled with strong winds, which sent embers everywhere. The embers sparked new flames and spread to houses in neighboring communities, causing serious damage across a large area.

For those who lost their homes, even if they were able to take shelter with relatives or friends, or found relatively stable accommodations, escaping the fire in a hurry may have left them in financial need. What we can do now is provide urgent relief, and it should be useful assistance, not just superficial help.

I recall Tzu Chi’s first large-scale emergency relief, following the fire that broke out in Da’nan Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County, Taiwan, in 1969. Typhoon Elsie had made landfall, and powerful hot and dry winds caused a fire in the village to grow out of control. Overnight, more than 100 houses burned down, and more than 700 people were left homeless. In addition to issuing emergency funds, due to the approaching cold winter, Tzu Chi spent 20,000 Taiwanese dollars on the best quality blankets available in Taiwan for the affected residents. We did not just give one blanket to each household, but one for every two people in the household. We did this out of love and respect, believing that we should give people the best so that they could really feel our loving care.

I have been following the wildfire situation in the United States and thinking about how best to help. In addition to manpower and material resources, we also need everyone’s sincere prayers to reach the Buddhas and heavenly beings so that they may see the great love in the world. Everyone should work together with great kindness and love and hope that this wave of fires will be extinguished soon and the crisis will be over. 

Many disaster-stricken residents had been living comfortably, but their homes and property were wiped out overnight. This is what the Buddha Dharma speaks of, that our wealth and possessions never truly belong to us. A sudden disaster can return all we own to emptiness. Rich or poor, everyone can face hunger, with nothing to eat. In that case, do we still think, “This person is wealthy” and not give him a meal? In emergencies, water and food should be given promptly, or if the weather is cold, warm clothes or blankets should be provided. This is very necessary.

Tzu Chi volunteers have launched fundraising efforts. However, the most important thing is to call on everyone to give aid, sincerely helping one another. This is an opportunity to create blessings, so everyone should seize it. When someone is in great need, we give of ourselves in time. This is the most valuable moment in our lives. While giving of ourselves, we must call on relatives and friends to exert their strength and work together to cultivate this field of blessings.

Tzu Chi is a Buddhist organization. The spirit of Buddhism is to always open your mind and embrace all living beings regardless of religion. Tzu Chi has been in the United States for more than 30 years. It should stand firm, seize this opportunity, and use its strength to provide effective help; it should stand on this international platform with sincerity, and pass on the spirit of working for the Buddha’s teachings and for all sentient beings. Disasters will inevitably happen, and disaster relief experience must be passed down from generation to generation.

We have many lessons to learn from these wildfires, which spread destruction over large areas. It is important for everyone to settle their minds and pray sincerely. To harbor complex prejudices or biases is far more serious than the disaster caused by the fires. We must lead by example and express reverence with sincere love. Sincere love means cherishing the lives of all living beings; protecting the lives of all living beings means nourishing our own hearts. We must constantly moisten and nourish our hearts with love so that the field of our hearts will not dry out,  and will not burst into flames at the slightest spark.

Tzu Chi volunteers are Living Bodhisattvas. Bodhisattvas should appear in places where there are difficulties, instead of simply responding to requests for help. We should not wait to be asked; we must rush to provide aid as soon as we know there is a need. In the past few days, Tzu Chi volunteers in the United States have been working hard to provide disaster relief. Although it is hard seeing how tired everyone was, I still hope that everyone will encourage each other, gather their faith, perseverance, and courage, and sincerely give Bodhisattva love to all living beings. When we can use love and kindness to pave this road, our hearts can be united. When our every thought is good, we will be able to inspire good fortune in everything.

At this time, let us call on the world to pray reverently, be vigilant and reverent, adopt a vegetarian diet, and pray for peace for the United States and the world!