20191010菩薩典範史流芳Serving as a Living Bodhisattva to Benefit All
Every day, I pay attention to what's happened around the world. We see that devastating disasters have been occurring frequently. Nature's four elements have truly become imbalanced. During this May and June, Sanming City of Fujian Province, China was severely affected (by floods.)
"The land under our feet used to be a farm."
"Was the area over there also part of a farm?"
"That's right. It has become a river course."
We see houses and rice paddies in the countryside immersed in floodwaters. That affected area used to be home to rice crops, but the crops have been destroyed. Our Tzu Chi volunteers have brought care to those affected. When those in suffering can't go out to seek help, our volunteers go to their aid. There are many stories like this. May we all uphold bodhicitta (enlightenment-mind) and walk onto the Bodhi Path.
As bodhicitta is innate in all of us, we can, by nature, give with enlightened love. Bodhisattva is one who seek enlightenment (Bodhi) and works to benefit all living beings. So, we must walk onto the Bodhi Path and give with enlightened love for the greater good.
Indeed, the world is filled with much suffering. Due to climate change, glaciers are melting rapidly. Scientists have been studying how to stop the glaciers from retreating. In truth, (to address the problem,) we must protect the environment in daily life. How can this be done? By harboring a pure heart and mind. May all of us take action to cleanse our hearts and minds and urge one another to do so in daily life.
We humans consume food meal after meal. After we have breakfast in the morning, we need another meal at noon. And what problem does the digested food cause? Pollution. This is a problem caused by human beings. Having one meal after another, we humans have been unceasingly consuming food and polluting the environment. There is already a large world population, and as many people discard things at will, a lot of garbage has been produced, causing large-scale pollution and damage to the environment.
May we all practice and promote vegetarianism in daily life. Without meat, we can still sustain our lives. Also, ( by going vegetarian,) we can mitigate pollution and will hence feel peaceful and at ease. If people keep eating meat, pollution will be created endlessly. This is a result of ignorance. So, we must work mindfully to purify people's hearts and minds so as to bring peace and harmony to society. This way, human beings will also be safe and well.
We also see that in Brazil, Tzu Chi volunteers seek various ways to guide children towards the right direction in life. They are truly very mindful.
"Apart from free clinics, I also hlep with teaching as I deeply believe that education should begin at an early age. Unlike other countries, Brazil has fewer natural disasters, but has more violent crimes that are even more terrible than natural disasters. To prevent crime, we should teach children correct moral values."
"Today, I learned that when we ask someone to give us a hand, we need to say "Please" and " Thank you" politely."
"Tzu Chi volunteers have taught here for a year, teaching our children important values in life and inspiring our teachers. We are recovering important values that we may have forgotten in life."
Jing Si Aphorisms have truly made a difference in many countries. Everyone is willing to learn the sayings. (Yet), it's not enough to only learn them. We must also live them out. Only then can we truly inspire and guide others. May we humble ourselves and give with love at all times to inspire and guide others. May we work mindfully to deliver everyone.
In all, this world needs Tzu Chi members. This world needs bodhisattvas to relieve suffering, and (as you, our Tzu Chi members, have been working to relieve suffering,) I often call you living bodhiattvas. The Buddha's greatest purpose of coming to this world was to teach the way of Bodhisattvas. In a time like this, we Tzu Chi members have truly been practicing the way of Bodhisattvas all over the world.
We work together in unity, harmony, mutual love, and concerted effort, and by emulating the hearts of Bodhisattvas, we always give with loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity without any regrets, complaints, or worries, and without asking for anything in return. When something is right, we should just do it.
May we recall the work we've done in this life. May we recall our precious memories, share them with one another, and record them in writing so that examples of virtuous stories can be passed on forever and ever. May you work mindfully to achieve this. Thank you. Given the many natural and manmade disasters around the world, we must count our blessings and heighten our vigilance.
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