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I started travelling to various Tzu Chi branches one stop at a time, starting from the East and South towards the North, for the annual Year End Blessing ceremony, which began in late October. The more joyful thing about this trip was awarding certification to volunteers, as it signifies the enrolment of a new batch of volunteers. Only after receiving certification can one truly be considered as having embarked onto the Bodhisattva path and has to be more diligent.
Tzu Chi’s definition of a volunteer is one who makes a vow to serve the crowd and practise the way of a Bodhisattva. For as long as there is a need, one shall act immediately to provide encouragement and strength to people in difficulty. Most importantly, the act of giving earnest and sincere love will make people feel that the world is full of warmth, and they can feel the sincerity.
For more than 50 years, under the guidance of Master Cheng Yen, Tzu Chi volunteers have been keeping the best interest of Buddhism and all sentient beings at heart. I am very thankful and touched to see everyone doing the Sutra Adaptation in an orderly and solemn manner in every session of the Year End Blessing ceremony. For when a Master wishes so, and the disciples do so; and when a Master believes in a way, and the disciples understand, believe, vow and do it that way, it becomes a deed so caring and harmonious, which makes me feel that my life has been a meaningful one.
More than 2,500 years ago, the Buddha went out from the city gate of his palace and saw the sufferings of the world. 2,500 years later, we too witnessed Lumbini, the hometown of the Buddha in Nepal remains a simple, undeveloped country-side place that is stricken with poverty and falling behind. Most people think that life is just living day by day, getting by month by month, and repeating year after year. Everything is what it is and taken for granted. If one is poor, one will always be a poor person; if one is rich, one will be rich for generations. At that time, the Buddha saw the helplessness of poverty, sickness, old age, and death, and he thought carefully. The suffering in the world is not only caused by the lack of material items but also the lack of spirituality. This is not something that can be attained with wealth. It must be thoroughly experienced by the living in order to understand the truth of life, unlock persistent ignorance, and guide everyone to walk onto the path of enlightenment and never get lost, life after life.
A heart filled with troubles and greed will never feel satisfied and will always feel a sense of loss. When one gets his or her wants, one is happy and even wishes that one also owns everything else. But no matter how much one asks and is granted, one will always feel lacking and never complete. This perpetual unsatisfied state of mind brings suffering. The Buddha wants to transform this state of mind and let everyone know the truth of life’s impermanence, suffering, and emptiness. The ability to realise this truth promptly will stop the relentless pursuit of desires, eliminate ignorance, and give rise to contentment. Those who are contented will naturally create more joy; they will be willing to create more joy which in turn will build an enriching and fulfilling life for themselves.
My wish is to transform Nepal and reverse its suffering. And my greater aspiration is to transform the world and move life around by turning desires into love and the spirit of giving. From the start of the journey, I had been listening to volunteers who shared how they corrected the deviated thoughts they had in the past. A slight deviation from the right path may also sow bad karma. However, with a mentality of gearing towards creating good karma and correcting oneself towards the right direction that is the way of the Bodhisattva. The ultimate state of kind thoughts is to seek nothing. Although there is no desire, joy remains present. Also, with an open heart, there is no love that cannot be let go of, no reluctance to part with, and no unsatisfactory interactions with others. Naturally, there will be no afflictions caused by mental troubles.
Some elderly volunteers shared that as they age, their weakened legs have become an obstruction even though they wish to move forward. I, too, felt the same – I was able to walk effortlessly in the past, climbing up and down the stairs without any issues. Now, even walking on a flat road can be a bit strenuous. I constantly remind myself: keep your chest up and stand up straight. Although getting old, falling ill and becoming frail are unpleasant, I should still be happy and grateful. Reflecting on how I started out on this journey alone and comparing it with the massive number of companions behind me now as I look back, what an impressive strength we have! Every single "firefly” shines brightly, like lights illuminating the road in the dark, purifying people's hearts and creating a peaceful society with truth, kindness and beauty amidst a world filled with five turbidities.
Therefore, to the older volunteers amongst us, let us not resign to old age. We do not have the right to be old, but the great vow of a Bodhisattvas and the mission to serve the crowd. Although my pace is slow now, I take big strides to build up my strength. If you have the will and determination, you will be able to develop strength. Not only does Taiwan need us, but many countries in the world also need us.
Depending on just me and your strength will not be enough. We need to recruit more volunteers. Do not forget the senior Tzu Chi commissioner who brought you into Tzu Chi back then. You must be as enthusiastic as them in finding and helping people. The legacy of Tzu Chi needs to be intertwined and passed down from generation to generation. Together, we shoulder the responsibility of transforming sentient beings and purifying hearts.
I placed a small handmade ant craft on my clock. It helps remind me to be like the serious and motivated ant, always racing against time. Even though the effort could be small and given my age now, I still cannot give up. We must always be grateful that we are together in Tzu Chi and that we have walked and practised the Bodhisattva way and will do so towards our very last breath. When we reach the end of our lives, remember to continue on the Bodhisattva path when we are back again to this human world. Please keep improving and pass on the power of love to the future world!
Translated by Goh Hui Jie
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