20190701生命價值盈豐厚 Living a Life that is Full of Values
Of the things we truly want to do, let’s not give up because of our illness; let us work harder to accomplish them. Relax, we are beginning to clean your teeth, please relax.
Dentist Chen Wei Chung, “Dr. Huang Shuxian was the contact person for dentistry. When there’s a free clinic, she’d take me with her. For example, at the free clinic for PVS patients, I see that, for every PVS patient, even with their condition, their oral hygiene was done well, far better than my dental patients; there was nearly no tartar buildup.”
Seeing that, I felt very moved, as Tzu Chi’s TIMA doctors have been doing a truly mindful job. They have cleaned the teeth of the PVS patients well. Dr. Huang came to the free clinic at the Buddhist Sanha Health Care Foundation in March, and passed away unexpectedly in May. Frankly speaking, I find it to be a real pity, and feel very sad about it.
Dentist Chen Wei Chung, “This impermanence made me realize that we shall seize affinity in life. After her passing, I feel we have more responsibilities, so I asked two certified volunteers, Dr. Wang Baijin and Dr. Lin Congqi to share the taskes of contact person. We talk about and handle all the matters together.”
Dr. Huang Shu Xian’s fellow Dr. Li Chia Fu, “I feel that, although her life was short, she had created love and kindness with her life, and being a part of it, I felt it deeply. I think, I will work to pass on this love and kindness.”
Shuxian was a good disciple of mine. Her husband still struggles to accept her passing. His not alone as we all feel very sad about her passing, and I feel a great sense of loss. I lost a disciple, a very good disciple.
She was ill; the Sutra of Innumerable Meanings says, the great ship captain, the great healer is ill, but he still delivers people to the other shore. Such are living bodhisattvas. We feel sad, but on the other hand, let us wish her well.
She had lived a fulfilled and meaningful life. I often say, we cannot control the length of our lives, but we are to protect it, that is our filial duty. We can live a life that has depth and touches any people.
Let us use our body to contribute to the world, to serve and to give, and to walk the Bodhisattva Path. When we bring forth our love and take the initiative to give of ourselves, we will generate great strength.
No one can set a limit on how much we can do. We are interested in helping people and we do what we can. With love, we are very willing to serve and are happy doing so.
We do everything with a willing heart and accept all that comes joyfully. Indeed, after returning from free clinic, volunteers feel happy. When they run their own clinic, after seeing a lot of patients, they feel tired.
But, when they go to free clinics, even if they miss a meal because of having too many patients, they accept it and are happy. Such is doing things with a willing heart and accept all that comes joyfully.
Such are volunteers. Living bodhisattvas give of themselves without asking anything in return. I often tell everyone that the word Bodhisattva, when translated, refers to a person with enlightened love.
We are people with enlightened love because we understand clearly life’s principles. I heard many TIMA doctors say which is learning the Dharma. They have realized life’s true purpose and learned the value of making good use of one’s life. And they are happy doing it.
Yet, we have no control over how long we will live, so we have to seize the time we have. TIMA volunteers, you are already benefiting others with your compassion.
You’ve brought forth your loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Buddhist sutra talk about the Four Immeasurables. That’s the core spirit of Buddhism: long-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.
We also talk about feeling others’ pain as our own and helping people in need, even strangers. You often go to remote places and may discover new charity cases. You cherish and give the care recipients a lot of love.
This is how TIMA members give of themselves. When they lack nutrients, you buy supplements for them. You help them without seeking anything in return. You give of yourselves in ways that cannot be described, and your work cannot be counted in volunteer hours.
The value of your work is priceless. You are devoting your life to doing Tzu Chi’s work. During the tour this time, I have been telling volunteers that the value of our lives is not how long we live.
We have no control over our birth and death, absolutely no, without doubt. “Why is that person born into such a good family? Why is that person able to receive such a good education?”
Things like these happen not by choice, but are determined by the blessings people created and the good karmic affinities they formed in their past lives. I myself say, “Fortunately, I have formed good affinities with many people in my past lives.”
Volunteers and many others say to me, “I love you, Master, with a tone that is full of love.” I would keep on walking, and people would say this to me. If I turn my head, people would quickly say…. To love those Master loves.
To love those I love. As I often say, “If you love me, you must love those I love.” I do not need to keep reminding volunteers of this now. When I turn around, volunteers would say this out loud together, “To love those Master loves.”
Indeed, volunteers have loved those I love for me, because I am not able to go to them or carry out aid in person to give of myself. TIMA doctors, you can do this. You can go to places in suffering aren’t you loving those I love?
There is no one in the world that I do not love; with this Bodhisattva spirit, volunteers have loved all people in the world. Only being alive can we carry out Tzu Chi’s work. We can put in more efforts if we are healthy.
We have no control over how long our life is but we can do our best to cherish our body given by our parents. I often say that I will live every second of my life to the fullest. Even with illness, I will make full use of my body and not waste any of my time.
Indeed, we should make use of time. This is where the value lies in life. We should do this and urge others to do so. This is how we should spend our lives. All in all, love cannot be measured.
Because love is immeasurable. The greater the love we have, the greater the blessings we create. We are not only creating blessings in places where we go, but also creating blessings for ourselves. Such is creating blessings for all, and forming good affinities with people.