20131105 義診發放 樂音傳法Creating a Pure Land on Earth by Giving with Love
Recently, in many countries, Tzu Chi volunteers, who are living bodhisattvas in the world, are busy giving of themselves to bring care and love to the suffering. Seeing that, I’am very touched.
For example, in Los Angeles of the U.S., our volunteers held an annual large-scale tree clinic where government officials and locals also celebrated with us the 20th anniversary of our medical mission in the U.S. The government officials also presented certificates of commendation to our volunteers. This gave Tzu Chi volunteers a lot of encouragement and support.
We also see a Tzu Chi event in Italy. On Oct. 25, our volunteers in Europe gave out monetary to children in Italy who are in need of transportation fees, tuition aid, etc. Our volunteers also prepared some gifts for the children and shared with the locals the brochures about Tzu Chi, the story behind our coin banks, and a video clip on Tzu Chi’s history and the work Tzu Chi does.
Many children and their parents came, and they learned that the monetary aid they received was made possible by pooling together everyone’s donations here and there. They all read our brochures carefully. See how attentive everyone was. The brochures had been translated into Italian for everyone to understand better.
On Oct. 26, our volunteers held two Year-end Blessings Ceremonies there. Although the ceremonies were held in a tent, they were very dignified. An elderly man who attended the ceremony greeted Mr. Pfaff, our volunteer from Germany. He said that after a quake hit last year, at an aid distribution we held in Italy, there was a photo of mine, and he stood before the photo and he stood before the photo and talked to me in his heart.
This time, learning that Tzu Chi volunteers were coming again, he was very happy. So, he came to attend the ceremony. He had a pleasant talk with Mr. Pfaff. When Mr. Pfaff came to Taiwan last year, he learned a Taiwanese Tzu Chi song and sang it to me. I praised him, “You sing very well” So he was very happy and started singing this song at many occasions. The song is called “Beauty”
At the ceremonies this time, he sang the song again. The beauty of Tzu Chi lies in everyone working hand in hand with on heart. Through giving with selfless Great Love, Tzu Chi volunteers bring joy to the suffering.
During the two-day event this time, everyone was very sincere and they sang a Tzu Chi song, “Prayer,” in Italian. Many people were in tears as they’d recalled the devastation brought about by the quake last year, and how in their time of need, a group of people from different European countries traveled there to bring them aid and care.
Apart from the quake survivors, representatives from the Red Cross, local officials, etc. also attend the event. Some people even brought back to us the coin banks we gave them. Last year, when our volunteers gave them the coin banks, they also shared with them Tzu Chi’s humble beginnings. This time, many brought back the banks filled with coins. In a word, I’m very moved. Although we don’t have any certified Tzu Chi volunteers in Italy, there were six locals and about 20 people from other.
European countries helping at the event this time. See how the seeds of love have spread to Italy. I’m also very grateful to Tzu Chi volunteers from nearby European countries for working together to help the people in Italy. What they did has truly moved the locals deeply. So, as long as we try, there’s no place we can’t reach and nothing we can’t achieve.
As long as we have the will, no place is far away and nothing is difficult. When we recruit more people, we’ll have greater strength to serve and touch people’s hearts deeply. Because of our relief efforts in Italy, our volunteers were invited to the Vatican and they signed a memorandum with the Vatican to work together in the future. Such love is very touching to see.
We also see another heartwarming event. In the U.K., Tzu Chi volunteers held a concert in London. One of the graduates from our medical school of Tzu Chi University is studying in the U.K., and he also helped organize the concert this time.
See how people in the audience also followed those onstage to do sign language and sing together. It was truly heartwarming to see. Indeed, people in the world are all family. So, no matter where disasters strike, we should be there to give love and care. Isn’t this very heartwarming?
All in all, every day, we can see many living bodhisattvas giving of themselves for the suffering. In times of peace, they work hard to share correct values with people for them to take in and practice in life. This is how we can help to bring about peace and harmony in the world.
So, the Pure Land is right here in this world. Such a beautiful world is possible as long as everyone can learn to give with love. In everything we do, if we keep love in our hearts, we’ll not indulge in extravagance or constantly give rise to ignorance due to our desires.
We’ll be able to see the truth clearly. For the same material thing, when those who are ignorant see it, they’ll give rise to greed and try to acquire it. But, for those who have awakened to truths, they look at everything with a pure heart and will cherish everything around them.
This is what selfless love really means and how we should interact with one another with love. Such is the view of the enlightened and this is why they’re able to see the truth clearly. Everything is about our views. When we take in correct values, our views will be correct and we’ll work to benefit others.
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