20130907《人間菩提》培育人文共福業To Nurture Collective Wholesome Karma
Yesterday, our university students from the Department of Communication Studies came, for they are about to begin their internship to work in media companies. Their internship class will help them to broaden their horizons and know more about the society.
This large group of students is very fortunate. In yesterday’s “robe ceremony” for our students, I saw many parents present. We can see how much the parents care and what high hopes they have for their children.
Their teachers were also present with them. The alumni also went up to the front to remind them that when they are out in the workplace, be sure to present a positive image by dressing properly and neatly. They even demonstrated how to properly wear the Da Ai TV uniform.
Their teachers also teach them this, such as Professor Chen. He pays a lot of attention to teaching them wholesome living habits so they learn orderliness in daily life details. For example, when students take off their shoes, he asks them to neatly line up their shoes one next to another. He asks them to do this before entering the classroom, not to mention expecting similar neatness with their attire.
All in all, developing good living habits and decorum and learning to have a proper attire and appearance are all part of our education. This is called developing civilized ways. Part of education and learning is cultivating a wholesome character. So, during our learning, we have to cultivate ourselves to develop upright character and conduct.
If we are highly educated, but are sloppy in our appearance, that’s not having self-respect. Also, by dressing sloppily, we also treat others with disrespect. So, having no self-respect or respect for others, we will not be respected by others, no matter how highly educated we may be.
Yesterday, I saw our students taking their oath.
“We hereby take oath: we fully understand that the mass media has great impact upon society. Whether our impact is positive or negative, wholesome or unwholesome, entirely hinges upon the mindset and perspective of we in the media industry.
We hereby deeply vow: may our mindset of kindness and efforts help to purify people’s hearts; help to create a more harmonious society and help there be no disasters in the world.”
They take such an oath to express that when working in media in the future, they will present the truth and guide the pubic to have correct views so society can be peaceful.
They furthermore will do their work with sincere piety to foster peace and inspire love in everyone so that all people can go about their lives every day with sincere piety, so disasters may cease. Such pure intentions they have.
If we can nurture class after class of students to have such good values and the mission to maintain the wholesome values in society, wouldn’t our society be very peaceful and stable? So, such education is about nurturing wisdom.
Meanwhile, in the news, the first news that was reported was on a major world issue: the turmoil in Syria. With the ongoing civil war, every day, people are forced to flee and become refugees, and innocent civilians are killed.
Members of the international community are paying attention and considering what to do. Will they take military action? We see there is agitation for this. But, should military action be taken, it won’t just involve the governments in conflict. Who knows how many more people’s lives will be threatened and harmed. The war in Iraq already caused massive casualties and left communities in ruins.
Truly, it is best not to start armed conflict. It would be better if the country can pull itself together by ceasing violence and truly understand the error of past ways and start anew with love for one another. If we humankind are to have peace and good fortune, ultimately, we must have love for others. Now, all will depend on what is the collective karma of all living in that land. If everyone does good and collectively builds up wholesome karma, then peace will come.
But, if the force of karma they build up is very unwholesome, this force can pull in the international community. Whether their country will be further embroiled in turmoil or gain peace, allowing all living there to remain safe and well.
That will depend on the people and whether the force of karma built up in the country is wholesome or unwholesome. I hope all of us in the world will sincerely pray for them in hopes that this force can be turned toward the direction of peace.
We see in the Philippines that living bodhisattvas are gradually forming and developing over there. And have been spreading the seeds of love and goodness far and wide. Our volunteers in the Philippines are caring for poor students in 20 schools by providing free lunch coupons to supplement their nutrition. This is taking place in the Philippines because there is a large group of living bodhisattva there contributing their love to the society and caring about students’ education. Their love and care are truly moving.
Also, we see that in Taiwan, following the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Kong-rey, our Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital took the initiative to visit impacted families to see which families’ furniture were ruined by the flood, then delivered used furniture in good condition to the families in need. Such actions to cherish resources also bring us back to the times when people possessed just enough goods to use. Where there are living bodhisattvas full of love, we can see heartwarming stories happening.
I am truly grateful and very touched. With love, nothing is impossible. In conclusion, time continually passes and actually, there are moving stories every day. We have to capture these stories which bear witness to our times to record history for humanity. More importantly, these are Tzu Chi’s sutra treasury – a bodhisattva legacy to pass on.
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