(Photo by Daniel Ceng)
Everything is accomplished with time. Tzu Chi’s Four Missions are deep-rooted in Taiwan like a lush tree. Recently, many staff from various Tzu Chi establishments have returned to share their experiences, with many younger ones mentioning that their families brought them to Jing Si Abode when they were children. Some of their parents even held positions in Tzu Chi. Since they were young, these staff have studied at Tzu Chi’s preschools, elementary schools, high schools or even universities and moved on to take up positions in the organisation. Some of these graduates have even become heads of departments in Tzu Chi.
Upon hearing this sharing, I am filled with gratitude. When I look back on the Tzu Chi journey I have had for over 50 years, starting from the origin of a path that did not exist, I called out to everyone loud and clear. People I shared an affinity with responded and followed me on this journey, spreading seeds of kindness to all five continents.
Fortunately, these volunteers never changed in their sincerity and genuineness. When people get in touch with Tzu Chi's teachings, they fervently accept them and put them into practice. The journey begins with taking the first step – with this, the journey will continue further, and the paths will widen. Over the past 50 years, Tzu Chi's paths have widened so much as Tzu Chi's volunteers have actively promoted the missions that enabled strong relationships to be forged locally and globally.
We practise the Buddha's teachings and we hope to see the Buddha's Dharma return to the Buddha's homeland. Tzu Chi volunteers from Malaysia and Singapore have been serving the locals in Nepal and India for some time, and the residents of the Buddha's homeland are familiar with the presence of the "blue sky and white clouds" (uniform worn by certified Tzu Chi volunteers). Tzu Chi volunteers have entered the villages and paved the way with love. Now, upon seeing Tzu Chi volunteers, some women willingly open their arms for a hug. This was unimaginable in the past because the local caste system have deep-rooted beliefs that women have a lower social status, making them hesitant to touch outsiders. This has changed because Tzu Chi volunteers first served the locals with love, letting the women know they could come close, thus allowing them to interact with Tzu Chi volunteers with ease. It can be said that Tzu Chi volunteers have embraced them with love and acceptance.
Tzu Chi volunteers from Singapore and Malaysia have become Bodhisattva messengers, paving the way in Nepal, particularly in Lumbini, to initiate the path of Buddhist education. Charity is the foundation of the establishment, followed by the development of medicine, education, and humanistic cultures, allowing all four missions to take root in Nepal. I hope that in the future, a Jing Si Hall can be built in the Buddha's homeland to create a home for Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide when they visit Nepal. Also, locals can be involved to look after the Jing Si Hall and implement the Buddha's teachings in life.
Everyone should be sincerely committed to contributing to the Buddha's homeland, for it is a virtuous act that is infinitely meritorious. Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide understand this is my aspiration and have responded wholeheartedly. Even residents in Nepal and India are learning from Burmese farmers, establishing rice banks and contributing to bamboo banks, gathering every bit of effort to demonstrate love. These acts have made me content and grateful, as Tzu Chi volunteers have worked together to inspire people to do good and transform the lives of low-income families around the world like the ones in Nepal.
As Buddhists, it is our duty to repay the kindness of the Buddha. Personally, I am grateful to my teachers and parents—I use the body born from my parents to do good deeds for others. I also strive to fulfil my teacher's instruction, "Work for Buddhism and all living beings." Therefore, I have been putting in my utmost effort to speak to everyone. Even if I can no longer physically push the ox cart*, I can still stand by and remind everyone to exert a little more effort to walk steadily. With collective efforts, pushing the cart together with time and patience, we can surely bring the ox cart to the summit of Mount Sumeru!
Note: The “Great White Ox Cart” is found in the parable of the Burning House in the Lotus Sutra, where the cart represents the supreme vehicle of Buddhahood, guiding people to follow the way of a Bodhisattva and gain enlightenment.
(Translated by Teo Jia Xin)
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