TZU CHI USA JOURNAL

Time flies, passing silently and invisibly, never to be retrieved. The future is uncertain, for life is impermanent. Therefore, we often say that we must seize time; only by grasping every second can we have the present. I am grateful that over the decades, I held fast to a single thought of “For Buddha’s teachings, for all sentient beings.” These are two sentences my Master gave me, six short words, which I have kept in mind and practiced to this day. Tzu Chi has been around for nearly sixty years. I never thought about how to grow the organization to what it has become. I simply witnessed the suffering in this world, could not bear it, and thought about how to help. Every day, every second, I gave, and that is how we got to where we are today.

Time allows people to accomplish things; without time, Tzu Chi’s Four Missions cannot be accomplished. I am deeply grateful to the Bodhisattvas and the teams of the Four Missions, who have carried the burden of providing for the world. Without everyone being united in their vows and aspirations and aligning with my heart, there would be no Tzu Chi today. I dare not rest; resting would mean losing the value of time. As long as I have time, I am not afraid of hardship, and I will cherish every moment.

This era is completely different from fifty or sixty years ago. The economy is better, but the gap between rich and poor is also greater. I sit in the same spot every day, and I only walk around a limited area, but my heart expands to encompass the world. With advanced technology, international events are instantly available with the tap of a finger. Yet, the world is in turmoil, and people’s hearts are restless. I worry every second; I sincerely pray for peace, and hope that everyone cultivates genuine love, extending a helping hand to anyone in need, offering support, protection, and blessings.

The world’s population increases year after year, and so do people’s aspirations. Young people have their own ideals, and I often feel I can’t keep up. However, I have faith, firmly believing that human nature is inherently good. If we create a good environment where young people with the right affinity can embrace and participate, then they may understand the values of life, and work together to contribute to humanity and benefit society.

What needs to be done, we should do. Many things we see and think about are beyond our power to accomplish. Although our strength is limited, within our sphere of influence, what we hear, know, and can do, we should do to the best of our abilities. We should focus on doing what we can do diligently, day after day. That’s all there is to it.

A powerful earthquake struck Myanmar at the end of March. I learned from reports of the disaster that  over 600 temples had collapsed, many people were injured, and orphans who had been sheltered were left without shelter. My heart was filled with concern for how to help, but the biggest challenge was getting supplies in. Tzu Chi volunteers in Myanmar launched a relief effort. Although their numbers were small, they did not give up, and neither did we. We continued to work tirelessly. We would do as much as we could to help in this wave of disaster.

Life is full of hardships and suffering; looking back, we realize how fortunate we are to live in a peaceful place. We should cherish our blessings and be grateful. A few coins a day, a small donation, may not affect my life, but having the thought of helping others every day is invaluable. Small drops can make a mighty ocean, and your drop can contribute to that ocean. Little by little, these drops will combine to create a great force for helping those in need, and in doing so, you will realize the value of your own life.

Life is full of things to be grateful for. I am grateful that love has resided in my heart, from my youth to middle age and into old age. Time may pass, but love remains constant. I am also grateful that love always surrounds me, never diminishing. The Bodhisattvas return from overseas and from all over Taiwan, talking to me daily about love, about genuine, great love. This giving and receiving of love is pure and untainted.

This year, like last year, Tzu Chi volunteers from Singapore and Malaysia went to Vulture Peak in India on Tzu Chi’s anniversary to chant the Sutra of Infinite Meanings at the platform where the Buddha gave His teachings. Watching the orderly procession ascend the mountain step by step, listening to the chanting of the Sutra of Infinite Meanings and contemplating such a state of being, I am always moved and filled with envy. I cannot go there in this lifetime, but every morning, my heart prostrates in the direction of Vulture Peak, grateful to everyone for carrying my sincere devotion, bringing me closer to the world of the Buddha’s mind. We must remember to cultivate blessings, sincerely vowing to benefit humanity, and also cultivate wisdom, witnessing that more than 2,500 years ago, the Buddha indeed came to this place to teach, and that his wisdom continues to this day. The Vulture Peak Dharma Assembly will never end.

In this world, it is essential to settle everyone’s hearts, to fix this thought, to have confidence in oneself, and to be willing to do good for the world. Giving will not diminish oneself; everyone has a wellspring within their heart that can nourish all living beings. This spring is inexhaustible; no matter how much is drawn, it will not diminish, and the energy to benefit humanity will continue to grow. The energy of love cannot do without me, nor without you and others. We must be grateful to each other and bless each other. Everyone’s potential and virtue are like inexhaustible well water, bringing great blessings to humanity. The more you give, the more blessings you receive. Please always be mindful!