20170121知福造福惜資源Sowing Blessings by Cherishing Resources
Humans need to awaken. Currently in Gaza, ninety percent of its water is unsafe for drinking. People are worried that by 2020 the water source will be unusable. Because for a very long time people there have been pumping water from deep underground aquifers to the surface.
Now, most of groundwater has been drained and seawater has already seeped deep into the aquifers. So, there’s no safe drinking water anymore.
If people don’t awaken to this problem, they will think that the underground resource are very rich. Nowadays, people pump groundwater and crude oil endlessly. They use resources as much as they please to enjoy life, anufacture goods, and dispose a lot of trash.
Nowadays, many young people don’t know to cherish what they have or use resources wisely. But we should know that it will be the future generations that suffer, and it will be the future generations that lack resources. So now the younger generation must start to reflect on themselves.
We should take the problem of water and crude oil shortage seriously. We should cherish resources in our daily life. We must cherish our blessings, count our blessings, and create more blessings. Indeed, we must create blessings.
Last year, Taitung of Taiwan was severely damaged by a typhoon; places such as Xianglan Village in Taimali, Taitung were affected. House there have been repaired with Tzu Chi’s assistance.
I am grateful to Tzu Chi volunteers around Taiwan for the disaster relief, especially the Tzu Chi Chengs and commissioners from Yilan, who spent more than four months helping residents repair their damaged houses in Taimali. The repair work took more than 4 months.
But there is a tribe, Tjukuvulj, with 48 families needing new houses. The government has set aside a piece of land that we think is safe for building houses. The families are very grateful.
We hope that after the construction starts, the houses can be completed by the Mid-Autumn Festival for them to move in. This project is in progress now.
This is love. With the power of love pooled together, just like grains of rice can fill up a basket and drops of water can form a river, we can help those in need. When a disaster occurs, we offer timely help, so in just a few months, we can provide people affected by the disaster a safe house to live where they can start a new life.
The houses can withstand magnitude-8 earthquakes and super typhoons equivalent to category 5 hurricanes. These are very strong houses. This is how we help people in need with love.
There are so many disasters around the world. Recently, Thailand has been suffering from frequent flooding. Faced with severe flooding this time, Tzu Chi volunteers in Thailand invited local residents to help with disaster relief, so people can get through this difficult time.
We really need to inspire more locals to participate. People from near and afar need to pool their love and effort together in order to help the people in need. Everyone is doing their best to help. This is how Tzu Chi volunteers dedicate themselves to serving others with love. We see a place that is full of warmth and love.
Yesterday at the Jing Si Abode, we held our winter aid distribution, which is held on the 23rd day of the 12th month on the lunar calendar. Normally, our monthly distribution is held on the lunar 24th, but for every lunar December, we hold it on the 23rd day.
So yesterday, we prepared traditional reunion meals for care recipients. It was just like Chinese New Year; there was a hot pot on every table. All of our care recipients were very happy.
When I went to greet them, everyone was very happy. Families gathered together for a delicious meal. Seniors from a local club also performed on stage. There were also traditional Chinese music and modern music performed. Children also performed on stage. They were very adorable. The atmosphere was very festive.
Yesterday alone, we served food for more than 1,500 people. I was moved by seeing this. Tables were set up around the kitchen, and they were filled with people. It truly felt like Chinese New Year.
Actually, this is just not in Hualien, but all over Taiwan during this time. Tzu Chi volunteers held reunion meals for care recipients in their local communities. Tzu Chi is truly a big family.
This is done not only in Taiwan, but also in many countries around the world. Volunteers hold reunion gatherings with love in their country to celebrate Chinese New Year with care recipients. I am truly happy and touched.
There are many touching and heartwarming stories to share. But most importantly, what we need to keep in mind is that we need to care for our Earth with love. We should not waste food. We should eat more simple food and go vegetarian.
Eating vegetarian is not just for religious reason but care for the earth as well as for our own health. Eating vegetarian has many benefits. It’s good for our health and the environment.
It keeps our air clean and prevents global warming from getting worse. Everyone is responsible to take care of the Earth. This is very important. Please be mindful in doing this.
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