20200219戒慎持齋互珍惜Practicing Self-discipline in Times of an Epidemic
Faced with the current coronavirus outbreak, we must all practice personal hygiene strictly. The containment of the epidemic relies on our self-discipline. We should not only wear a surgical mask and wash our hands often, but also follow precepts and remain vigilant and mindful. To follow precepts, we must adopt a vegetarian diet first. If we can’t even do that, how can we follow precepts?
In addition, only when we all eat vegetarian will we refrain from killing animals. So, we must eat vegetarian and guide everyone to do the same. We may contract diseases from eating meat. Also, the sensation created by eating meat lasts but mere seconds. So, may we all keep our desire for meat in check. We must keep our desires in check and lead a disciplined life.
The only way we can end the epidemic is by refraining from eating meat and harboring sincere piety at all times. Without curbing our desire for meat, we will easily be tempted by meat dishes and eat them. So, we must work hard to keep our desire for meat in check. Vegetarian meals are very nutritious. To enjoy good health, we need to eat vegetarian, as vegetarian dishes are nothing but good for us. Indeed, they will not bring any harm as they are natural.
Led by greed, people raise livestock to gain profits. Due to the business of livestock farming and the pursuit of self-interests, countless animals have been killed. As a result, people have created and accumulated much bad karma. Every single day, over 200 million animals are slaughtered for meat. All this is caused by people’s deluded thoughts.
As many people crave meat, tremendous bad karma from killing has been created. This is people’s collective bad karma. On the top of that, people’s ignorance has also led to tremendous bad karma. Due to all the bad karma people have created, many disasters have occurred around the world. the current coronavirus outbreak is very serious and has spread to 29 countries and regions. Will it spread to even more areas? Such a possibility cannot be ruled out.
With the spread of the disease, the number of infections has increased. Unnoticed, the disease has been transmitted from person to person. Due to the long incubation period of the disease, those who have been infected may not show any symptoms within two weeks. So, during the incubation period, they may transmit the disease unknowingly. Again, as those infected may not show any symptoms, either, the disease can spread even further.
So, the current outbreak is very frightening. Given inevitable interactions between people and convenient transportation, how far will the disease spread? Indeed, in the face of such an outbreak, the authorities in China have been reminding everyone to be cautious and looking at ways to end the epidemic.
Although the large-scale quarantines may cause considerable economic losses, the authorities take it as the top priority to protect people and ensure everyone’s safety. Public events have been cancelled. Many places have been sealed off and few people can be seen on the streets there.
Yet, we see our Tzu Chi volunteers prepare and deliver hot food there. They worked in different groups and delivered hot meals to several areas regardless of the risk of infection. They also needed to allocate and deliver goods to the frontline of the outbreak. But since logistics services had been suspended, how could the goods be delivered?
As our volunteers sincerely wish to relieve the suffering of those in need and are so willing to give and serve, a logistics company was inspired to help. Touched by our volunteers, a driver from the company was willing to help. Regardless of the outbreak, the driver bravely helped with the delivery. Such relay of love is deeply touching. In a time like this, we must cherish one another. Above all, we must praise and cherish those who work on the frontline of the outbreak.
We also need on guard against the epidemic. We must all protect ourselves by strictly practicing personal hygiene such as wearing a mask and washing our hands often. Our volunteers who serve at our hospitals should all the more know how to prevent infection. They all shoulder responsibilities bravely and work as diligently as ever. None of them were held back by the outbreak. They are truly living bodhisattvas.
Yet, I’m very concerned about their safety. Everyone, please protect and take good care of yourselves so you can set my mind at ease.
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