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We should cultivate mindfulness by having kind thoughts every day as this will accumulate our merit. Everyone can be kind, just like the droplets of water that flow into rivers and seas, combined kindness from many can save more people.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has lasted for more than a year, many countries have remained in lockdown, affecting the livelihoods of many families where some have even fallen into poverty. Not only has Tzu Chi continued with its aid distribution, but the foundation has also managed to deliver aid relief to the homes of the needy. Filipino jeepneys and tricycle drivers were unemployed due to fewer tourists and passengers. Despite so, to show their gratitude for the assistance rendered by Tzu Chi, the drivers attached stickers on their vehicles to encourage people to adopt a vegetarian diet. They also used the savings kept in their bamboo coin bank to help others.
When I heard Tzu Chi volunteers sharing from the video call, I could feel their sincerity. I am always very grateful to the living bodhisattvas who relieve the sufferings of the sentient beings in this world. I am grateful to those hardworking drivers who use kind words to support others. Although this group of loving and caring people are not rich, they are still willing to give, which is very touching. All these reminded me of how Tzu Chi was more than 50 years ago, where it also started from "zero", from "nothing", and from saving fifty cents per day. Nowadays, Tzu Chi volunteers in every country are taking more profound and more stable steps than me. Without these living bodhisattvas, how could Tzu Chi go further to bring happiness and joy to all sentient beings?
In this pandemic, we have seen the beauty and kindness in people. Many people have sincerely done their best to support Tzu Chi. Taiwan contributes to the world, and the world returns its love to Taiwan. COVID-19 vaccines are very expensive. The purpose of buying vaccines during this time is to save people. I believe everyone has love in them. As long as we get it started, people will come together to help. Both local and overseas Tzu Chi volunteers have used various methods to hold charity drives while Tzu Chi hospital management and staff dedicated their efforts. Many people donated hundreds or thousands of dollars, and some entrepreneurs remitted donations for charity. I am very moved and very grateful for all these combined efforts. Without these little-by-little efforts, there won't be Tzu Chi today.
Vaccination has been rolled out in phases recently, starting with youth and gradually becoming available to the middle-aged and elderly. Hopefully, the vaccination rate could increase. Each Jing Si Hall continues to provide space for people to get vaccinated, and even the volunteers are involved in the process. I am even more grateful to the medical mission as not only is the medical team guarding the front line, they are also mobilised to administer vaccines. Everyone helps by donating money and contributing their effort. In this crisis, I feel that Tzu Chi has done Taiwan proud.
Tzu Chi volunteers from all over the world are eager to protect Taiwan. We must also express our piety and accumulate our merit by adopting a vegetarian diet piously. Everyone can be kind by donating one coin to the bamboo coin bank every day. Having kind thoughts of wanting to help others will increase one's merits. Just like the droplets of water that flow into rivers and seas, combined kindness from many can save more people.
All living creatures are one. We are all gathered on earth in this era, where we get to understand our ecological system from a broader perspective through science and technology. Hence, we must constantly remind ourselves to be grateful for being blessed.
In rich countries, life is good as food is always available and in abundance, so much that food wastage is rampant. In developing countries, not only do the poor not get to appreciate the taste of rice, they don't even get to enjoy the feeling of having a full meal.
With the advancement of the media and technology, one can see what is happening worldwide with just one click. However, very few people are aware of the many suffering sentient beings and choose to have nothing to do with them by turning a blind eye. There are more than 7 billion people in this world, and more than 800 million people are living in starvation. If we could appreciate the fact that many people are on the verge of dying due to starvation, for every ten people who eat a spoon less of rice, the ten spoons of rice will accumulate to one bowl of rice, and this will be enough to provide a full meal for one person.
Eating less and wasting less food is not difficult for most people, but this saves people from starvation. Don't underestimate yourself. You don't have to be rich to do kind deeds. As long as you are willing to contribute sincerely, you can bring blessings to the world. When we have the right mindset, the world will be at peace. Not only would we get to help those suffering, but we also get to extend peace because this reverses greed, and thus extends the wisdom of love.
Impermanence happens all the time. Not just the pandemic, climate change, nature imbalance, rock and soil erosion from high ground, intense forest fires and sudden disaster occurrences - these are all horrifying. The earth has a large population, and people's bad living habits have destroyed nature for the sake of personal enjoyment. However, how long can this enjoyment last? Despite having great wealth, there is no peace within because it is never enough.
Looking at the world's current affairs every day makes me anxious and melancholy. Not only have I accumulated such emotions, but it is also more energy-consuming for me to speak. But I often say to myself: "I must do my best while I'm still alive". May everyone show untainted love for all, and may all sentient beings practise the bodhisattva path together.
Time passes quickly by the seconds. It can neither be stopped, blocked, nor grasped. Hence, one can only be diligent in making full use of time. If one does not progress in life, his life will pass in vain. One should continuously give to the world and light up hope in the dark corners of society by guiding people out of suffering. Give the poor and sick a glass of water and a handful of rice to help them survive or even transform their destiny. For the world to have peace and harmony, I urge everyone to curb their desire which creates bad karma. Instead, spend your life doing something worthy by contributing to the world. Always be mindful and do your best!
Translated by Michelle Lim Cheng Wai
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