TZU CHI USA JOURNAL

The new year has passed, and the Lunar New Year is approaching. Every year at this time, during year-end blessing events, the atmosphere is festive, but I also feel how truly quickly time passes. There is a saying, “With each passing day, we draw closer to death.” With each passing day, being peaceful and at ease is itself a blessing. We should not only reverently pray for our own well-being, but also be grateful for the great karmic conditions that allow us to be in the Tzu Chi family and give rise to great aspirations to help sentient beings around the world. This is an even greater blessing.

We must be role models, always speaking good words and doing good deeds, guiding everyone to give rise to good thoughts and make good vows, and creating blessings together. With our good thoughts aligned and harmony prevailing among people, the world will naturally stay in balance; this, truly, is the greatest blessing of our lives.

The Buddha’s one great cause for coming to this world was to go among people to teach the Bodhisattva Path, teaching everyone to awaken their Bodhisattva aspirations and give to those who are suffering. Everyone inherently possesses Buddha nature, but lifetime after lifetime, layer upon layer of the dust of ignorance has covered our pure intrinsic nature. Finding that Buddha nature within our minds is the goal of our spiritual practice.

When a single ignorant thought arises, we deviate from the principles. A slight deviation can lead us far off course, so we must take good care of our minds. If we feel hurt by others’ words or attitudes, and the mirror of our minds becomes fogged, we should use the Dharma to wipe it clean, transforming ignorance and afflictions into wisdom and creating positive affinities with others.

Wherever I attend year-end blessings, Tzu Chi volunteers gather with me early each morning. The life stories they all share are like sutras, adding to my knowledge and wisdom. I also listen to how everyone gives to this world. Are their hearts unified? Are people harmonious? In the course of their work, disagreements may arise and create unhappiness. When they bring these issues to me, I help mediate and align their direction. As long as two rails are laid properly, no matter how many cars a train needs to pull, the train will always be stable. This is the Bodhisattva Path in this world.

Every day, I am so grateful that our generation has come together in Tzu Chi, giving to what we feel is worthwhile, gathering daily with good people, and working with hearts full of joy. Seeing everyone in neat uniforms, entering and leaving in an orderly manner, each diligently at their post, practicing unity, harmony, mutual love, and concerted effort – achieving these four values in daily life makes me very content.

I often tell Tzu Chi volunteers to take inventory of the value of their lives. I take stock of my own life daily and feel very blessed. Having accumulated good causes and positive affinities over countless lifetimes, in this life I have shouldered the Tathagata’s mission, and I have so many Living Bodhisattvas supporting me and helping so many suffering people in this world. I often hear volunteers share about their community visits and care work, how they have supported care recipients’ children as they grow into independent adults. Whole Tzu Chi families across multiple generations have come to speak with me. When I see how harmonious their families are, these truly are great offerings. This is why I practice among people.

Tzu Chi volunteers go among people and form positive affinities. Because of the image and actions they present, people immediately recognize Tzu Chi, giving rise to love and respect, affirming the character and etiquette of Tzu Chi volunteers. So, we must take inventory of ourselves even more, understand the value and duty of being Tzu Chi volunteers, and cherish ourselves. If one of us behaves inappropriately, using an improper tone or manner, we should gently approach that person and say something. This is also a form of mutual love.

Each time I go out and see you all, I feel how quickly people age. As time passes, natural laws are inevitable; illness and aging are difficult. When others describe the difficulties they face, I can sympathize, as I have had the same experiences. Only when we are old do we truly know what aging is like.

The families that Tzu Chi volunteers care for are lonely elderly people with illnesses and pain who need support. When their home environment is cleaned by volunteers or when they receive reconditioned assistive devices, we can imagine how deeply grateful they feel. While being loved is a blessing, no one wants to be served without giving back, so those who give love must also be attentive – they must not hurt people’s hearts or make them feel looked down upon or rejected. When Living Bodhisattvas approach with sincere hearts and bless them, they will feel it even more deeply.

Spring is approaching, and that is when all things begin to flourish. I hope that through everyone’s practice, Tzu Chi can also flourish. I offer blessings that all your New Year’s aspirations will be fulfilled. Do not forget to pray for people around the world. When we gather this reverence and give the energy of love, the world will be peaceful and without disasters or difficulties – that is our great blessing!