20191108膚慰眾苦入人間Go to Places of Suffering to Provide Aid and Warmth中英
As living bodhisattvas, we need to go amongst people to understand their suffering. No matter who they are or where they are, we are to overcome all difficulties to help them.
Tzu Chi’s help to Yushu of Qinghai, China has dated back to 23 years ago. In that winter, the place was stricken a major snow disaster, people ran out of food, and many livestock frozen to death. Upon receiving the disaster news, Tzu Chi acted immediately to send timely aid. We mobilized several volunteers whom were led by Tzu Chi Foundation’s VP Wang to bring aid to the disaster area which was in high altitude.
That was the first aid we sent to Yushu and volunteers had to cope with thin air problem. As they drove higher and higher, the mountainous roads became more dangerous as they were covered with snow and very slippery. Our volunteers were not used to climate like that, the higher places they got to, and the harder they had to cope. What did they do this for? Because there were many disaster affectees waiting to be helped in the high mountains. For this reason, our volunteers took on the efforts willingly.
They purchased the aid supplies locally. To deliver goods to the affected areas, be it necessities or food, was a hard work. They went up to the mountains, surveyed the affected places, and came back down to bring food up again. It was truly a hard work. That was 23 years ago. We provided food and distributed cash aid to people in need. The locals we helped were very touched and grateful, and they have kept this gratitude in their heart for all these years.
Twenty-three years ago, a gentleman named Baiqun who received Tzu Chi’s cash aid for 500 RMB. He was so happy; he promptly went to purchase a yak and made yak butter with its milk. His family made it through the difficult time selling yak butter milk, and continued to do so.
He was very grateful, and always harbored gratitude inside him. He had kept distribution notice and letter to him all these years; he kept them all these years. He held this letter in reverence, and kept Tzu Chi in mind; the notice and the letter were kept and handled in a very respectful manner.
And so, he said that, as Tzu Chi volunteers came again this time, he said that, “With the way I usually pray, I always pray for Tzu Chi volunteers to be healthy in both body and mind.” That was what this gentleman said when Tzu Chi volunteer went there this time.
There was another gentleman; twenty-three years ago, Grandpa Duonan also received 500 RMB and some material aid from us at our distribution. Of the 500 RMB, he spent 400 RMB on item he needed to survive the winter. He did not spend the remaining 100 RMB, under no circumstance would he spend this 100 RMB for he kept it as a memento of his gratitude.
However, a few years went by and he was very reluctant, very reluctant to use that money, but he couldn’t go on otherwise, so, of the remaining 100 RMB, he spent 50 RMB to sustain his life. Now, with the remaining 50 RMB, he said he won’t ever touch it, even if he were to starve to death.
He said he moved 3, 4 times, and kept this money at a place no one knew. Only he knew where he kept it, his family also didn’t know. Or sometimes, he kept it with him, when he was moving, he kept it with him, it was like a lucky charm, which we always carry. He said he will never spend the 50 RMB, he’ll tell his children about it, and keep this money in his heart always.
He is truly grateful. To his life, this sentiment is so very important; so he has kept the 50 RMB with him always. Even if he died of hunger, he would keep this 50 RMB him. This is truly not easy. He is a person who knows to be grateful.
Those who know to be grateful are people who are truly sincere and trustworthy. This grandpa is such a person. For 23 years, he harbored such sincerity. In walking the Bodhisattva Path, we need to go amongst people and provide those in suffering what they need. When we provide them timely help, they will remember it for life. It has been 23 years, yet, he still remembers Tzu Chi volunteers in the blue and white uniform vividly.
The volunteers who went there this time were not the same volunteers 23 years ago. Yet, they wore the same blue and white uniform. When Tzu Chi volunteers arrived, the image of volunteers from 23 years ago resurfaced in the minds of the residents.
This time, we distributed aid to more than 1,000 households. Many people who received aid this time expressed their gratitude. Although the weather was freezing, people could feel warmth and love. Just hearing theses stories also gave me heartfelt warmth. I’m truly grateful.
Only living bodhisattva are willing to go to places of suffering. This is following the Buddha’s teachings and walking the Bodhisattva Path. I truly admire these Tzu Chi volunteers who are walking on the Bodhisattva Path. I admire them and I am grateful to them. They bring people warmth.
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