20131113善用世財造福緣Sowing Blessings Through Giving to Mitigate Disasters
We should pray sincerely for the people in the Philippines. The devastation brought by Super Typhoon Haiyan this time is said to be similar to that of the 2004 South Asian Tsunami. The tsunami brought only water, but the typhoon brought both water and winds. The typhoon was so strong that about 80% of the homes in its path were damaged.
Since this Monday, our volunteers in Taiwan have mobilized to prepare aid supplies. Tzu Chi volunteers in Cebu have also mobilized to bring care to those affected. In the disaster-stricken areas, several airports have been damaged and many roads are impassable.
See traffic also came to a halt due to huge waves. But our volunteers in Cebu, who are closest to the disaster area, are still doing all they can to bring care and aid to the typhoon survivors.
Our world is indeed filled with much warmth. The Red The Red Cross, the U.N., and many other aid agencies have also sent medical supplies, medical professionals, daily necessities, food, etc. to the disaster areas. Wee should know that after such a disaster, people are anxious and helpless.
Many of them have lost their loved ones and their houses have been destroyed. We can imagine how they must feel. At a time like this, what they need the most is for someone to hug them and comfort them and offer them a shoulder to lean on.
In the wake of a disaster, we often see many people in great shock. They are expressionless and pay no notice to their surroundings. But, once our volunteers go over to hug them, they’ll burst into tears and rest their heads on our volunteers’ shoulders to have a good cry and let out their sorrow.
After they gradually calm down, our volunteers will then comfort them. They start out as strangers, but in their times of need, our volunteers reach out to them, hug them and bring them care and support like family. This is the way of living bodhisattvas.
The Buddha’s teachings are here in this world, so we must apply them in our everyday life. If we can do so, no matter what obstacles, disasters, etc. we encounter, how many difficulties we face or how much suffering we endure, with the Dharma in our hearts, we will be able to overcome many difficulties one by one.
So, as long as we have the Dharma in our hearts, we will not be stumbled by any hardships or the afflictions we have. As long as we use the Dharma and keep it in pour hearts, we’ll find ways to overcome all obstacles and live in peace and safety.
I often say that natural disasters are brought about by man. Some may say that man has no control over natural disasters. Why blame man for natural disasters? But disasters indeed are caused by man. See how man has damaged the environment, polluted the air, etc., leading to many disasters. In our pursuit of comfort and convenience, we’ve created much impurities in the world.
As I often say lately, when we use cell phones, we damage the environment because they contain metals and minerals that need to be mined from the mountain or land.
This is how man damages the environment and causes much pollution, disrupting Nature’s balance and bringing about many disasters. Nowadays, many people are keen on making money. So, they do whatever they can to make more money.
For example, some people keep developing and expanding their businesses, setting up many chain stores not only in their own countries, but also in many other places around the world.
Everyone, we truly must be more farsighted and give of our love to care for those in need around the world. No matter how much material wealth we have, it is shared by five parties, namely thieves, prodigal descendants, flood, fire and corrupt officials.
So, we don’t have full control over our material wealth. Only our spiritual wealth is ours to own life after life. When we die, we take nothing with us but our karma. So, we should do good to sow blessings. Only then can we live a life of peace and ease. Isn’t such a life wonderful and filled with love?
We can take hold of our lives and turn our life around to become spiritually wealthy.
Indeed, spiritual wealth is much more important; it’s very important to have a rich heart. Everyone, living in this world, we really need to take the Dharma to heart. Only then can we stay on the right path in life. Let us pray for Nature’s elements to be in harmony so everyone can be safe and well.
Our relief effort for the Philippines this time may continue for a long time. In addition to blankets, food items, etc., we’ll offer them temporary housing as well. There’s still a long way for us to go. So, please give of your love. When everyone gives even a bit of their love, they’re sowing blessings.
With blessings, we can mitigate disasters and create a stream of purity to dilute the impurities in the world. Only blessings can quell disasters. Let us pool our love together to help those in need.
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