20150405孝善傳家真實法True Filial Piety: Passing on Kindness and Wisdom
Today is Tomb Sweeping Day. It is wonderful to have this holiday for people to gather together as a family to pay respects to and honor their ancestors, and to reflect on their family lineage and the ties that connect them to their ancestors. This family tie should not be taken too lightly.
Without our ancestors, we would not come into existence. So, to remember our ancestors, the Tomb Sweeping Day was established for people to get together with their families. People would bring their children to visit their elderly parents, and the whole family would visit the family gravesite together to pay their respects.
Yet, some burn paper money at the gravesites, and with the wind blowing, grass fires have accidentally started. So, it’s a truly dangerous practice.
Actually, nowadays, people have new ways of thinking about burials. Some people choose a tree burial, burying the ashes of their loved ones under a tree. They would take their children to the site with all the trees around. They may not know the exact spot where their loved one’s ashes were, only the general area. They don’t need to burn incenses or paper money, but use only simple flowers to express their respect and to honor the deceased.
Actually, our sincerity is enough, even flowers aren’t necessarily needed. We can just pay our respects and honor our ancestors from the bottom of our heart. Honoring them means that we need to be very conscientious and scrupulous in our conduct, for this body of ours was given to us by our ancestors. We must be very prudent and take good care of our body and mind.
As a member of society, we need to make a true contribution for the good of society. This is the best way to express what our forebears passed down to us, and our good deeds will be the best way to repay them, for it beings true honor to the family name.This is how to honor those who came before us and the best way to pay them our respects. It would be wonderful if everyone has such a sincere intent and brings his or her children to remember their forebears in such a spirit.
Such family time together can be used to share stories about the older generations, such as the good they had done and the challenges they overcame to build what has become the family we have today. Telling the personal stories and legacies of our previous generations --- isn’t that even better than honorary rituals? Through this, we can trace our family tree and our family legacy so the good principles can be passed on to future generations. Wouldn’t that be the best?
It is a rare occasion for the entire family to be together. So, this would be a very meaningful way to use this family time.
We also see the power of love in Tzu Chi.Volunteers in many countries around the world are diligently at work to spread the seeds of love and kindness. Now these seeds have sprouted and we see results. In Tacloban, Philippines, we see many volunteers in gray and white uniform joining our mission of environmental protection.
They pay attention to recycling because then Tzu Chi went to provide disaster relief, local volunteers kept emphasizing that even small change can do great good deeds and recycling can save Mother Nature and mitigate climate change. They provided many scientific reasons to show the aid recipients that recycling is important. As a result, many people were inspired to donate their small change to help others with love.
Now, we don’t sell recyclables that we collect. We donate them to Tzu Chi because we know that Tzu Chi provides charity services. This is very good. We are very happy, because we can help others, doing just small things like recycling.
Now in Tacloban, recycling volunteers have started to have a place for doing recycling. They organized many recycling volunteers to clean up the place. We see how joyful they are in the footage. Indeed, Tacloban has recovered from the disaster. Look at the outpouring of their kindness. Their hearts are so kind and pure. They donate small change every day and give of themselves to carry out recycling. This shows harmony covering the entire city of Tacloban.
We saw a young volunteer in Malaysia. Because of his work, he used to drink a lot and developed a drinking habit. Although he has started doing volunteer work, he still carried on with his drinking.
When I was drinking one time, my friend asked me: “You are a Tzu Chi volunteer, how come you are still drinking?” His words struck me and woke me up. I took prompt action and was determined to quit drinking. Starting that day, I came clean of my habit and gave up drinking.
He was suddenly brought to his senses. His volunteer team leader started to encourage him by asking him to take care of one recycling station. He started to discipline himself. He realized that since he is a Tzu Chi volunteer and has taken on the recycling work, if he didn’t keep his heart spiritually pure, how could he inspire others to do recycling?He vowed to quit drinking and did, just like that.
It is not impossible. All it takes is a change in thought. He changed his mindset to one of doing good. The unwholesome habit of drinking was completely overcome by the power of his wholesome thought and he completely gave up alcohol. He now devotes himself to recycling. Look at how he used to look, absolutely not what he looks like now. That is due to his giving of himself with love.
Now, he has even introduced his mother to Tzu Chi, and she helps at the recycling station. There is deep love between him and his mother. In the past, his mother tried her best, but could not really help him. Now, it is his turn to help his mother using the Dharma. this is true filial piety. When his mother join other volunteers at the recycling station, she feels happy. He son’s change has eased her worries. She is very happy dedicating herself to recycling. Every day is full of joy when she works with many volunteers. This is enlightened love between a son and his mother.
This kind of giving leads people to be in touch with the true Dharma in our world. We must remember our ancestors and be filial.
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