TZU CHI USA JOURNAL

On July 6, Typhoon Danas became the first typhoon to make landfall in Chiayi in decades. It was extremely powerful – we saw roofs being torn off by the fierce winds while heavy rain continued to pour down, making life difficult. A single typhoon created so many hardships for so many people. We truly must revere the power of nature, love the Earth, and care for all people in the world. Our charity work must be fully mobilized. At times like this, regardless of wealth or poverty, we must quickly work together to bring peace to the hearts of disaster victims and restore their lives.

This time, Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan were all affected by the disaster. I am grateful that Tzu Chi volunteers in southern Taiwan came together to take on the responsibility, while volunteers from other regions also proactively joined the efforts. Bodhisattvas appear wherever they are needed, and they come without being asked – this is what we often call “unsummoned teachers.” Tzu Chi volunteers in Taiwan have all accomplished this together. Even if they themselves were affected by the disaster, they set aside their own concerns, stepped forward to help resolve others’ difficulties first, and only then turned back to handle their own household matters. This is why I say Tzu Chi volunteers truly have the hearts of Bodhisattvas, giving with love. As Dharma relatives, we must also care for one another and cherish each other.

In early July, when I traveled to southern Taiwan, I was always comforted listening to Tzu Chi volunteers share their insights about caring for one another. In the past, during emergency relief after every typhoon, being able to provide hot meals was what made people feel the most warmth. They were able to accomplish this from the early days of Tzu Chi’s disaster relief, even bringing rice cookers from many people’s homes to prepare hot meals. You could feel everyone’s sincerity, all putting their hearts and efforts into serving society.

Whether internationally or in Taiwan, whenever disasters occur, I always first ask: Is everyone safe? Once safe, we can then go out to gather information, provide care, and assess how to help. Charitable organizations exist to meet society’s needs, but beyond that,  Tzu Chi practices “unconditional loving-kindness and universal compassion.” Even when others have no karmic connection with us and are neither relatives nor acquaintances, we respond to their cries of suffering, providing timely comfort, companionship, and support. This is what Bodhisattvas do – they are awakened sentient beings. 

Tzu Chi’s charity work provides immediate assistance, but we must also ensure that people truly feel the love – the food they are given should allow them to eat their fill, and the funds distributed or aid provided must bring peace to their hearts and stability to their lives. The relief funds must not be superficial, symbolic gestures. This is why we need everyone to come together, applying pure and undefiled wisdom to consider how to act. Only with wisdom can we create blessings for humanity.

This is why I often speak of learning and awakening. In ordinary times, we continuously learn – learning how to be Bodhisattvas, learning how to be these “awakened sentient beings,” and doing so correctly. When something happens, we quickly engage, using our wisdom. This, too, is an opportunity for growth, testing our ability to respond and adapt.

During this period, not only has Taiwan experienced typhoons, but there have been many instances globally in which the four elements are out of balance. The crises of our era are also severe – disharmony among people combined with advanced technology can lead to unprecedented harm, creating irreversible human tragedy. 

My heart is always filled with worry, but lamenting helplessly is useless. We must give of ourselves as soon as possible. Besides doing our utmost to prevent disasters, more importantly, we must bring purity to people’s hearts. When our hearts are pure, we will have a good direction; when we act with order, the atmosphere becomes harmonious. If human life lacks rules, creating chaotic currents in society, disasters will inevitably result.

The Buddha said the world is like a burning house, and sentient beings are like children playing in this burning house – ignorant and unaware, wanting to possess things even if it means destroying the Earth. When things don’t go their way, they give rise to anger, blazing with fury and losing their temper. Ignorance is like scattered sparks, continuously erupting, growing ever more numerous, becoming karmic fires.

All sentient beings possess the Tathagata’s nature of wisdom and have the same great compassion as the Buddha. However, over countless lifetimes, they have become increasingly separated from their Buddha-nature. The Buddha came to this world to teach sentient beings to turn from delusion to awakening. This requires learning, and learning among people – witnessing suffering to know blessings, giving rise to Bodhisattva aspirations to engage in the relief of suffering. Taiwan has been largely peaceful these past few decades, but each disaster reminds us to heighten our vigilance, carefully accept nature’s lessons, and pray for peace with sincere hearts. Sincerity means cherishing all living beings and treasuring life, expressing our sincerity through vegetarianism as much as possible. By refraining from eating the flesh of sentient beings and sincerely upholding vegetarianism, we express great love.

We must also awaken the love in everyone’s hearts to do good deeds together. We must expand our love infinitely, reduce greed, lessen resentment, and fill the world with auspicious energy so that the world may be peaceful and free from disasters. Please, everyone, be more mindful!