Date: June 22th, 2011 (Wednesday)
Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: Finding the True Value of Life 真實人生之寶
We must realize that it is very precious to be able to live in peace and safety.
So, every day, we must be grateful and pray for a world free of disasters with a heart of sincere piety.
This is what we must sincerely pray for every day.
Seeing so many natural disasters everywhere, people have now become aware that it is a result of pollution --- the excess emission of carbon dioxide.
People have also realized that the Earth’s resources are limited.
So, many countries around the world are now promoting recycling.
Take Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for example.
Realizing how important it is to reduce garbage and recycle resources, the government in Kuala Lumpur now provides land for doing recycling work.
The rent is very low as long as it is used for recycling.
But, very few people bring recyclables to recycling centers of their own accord, except for Tzu Chi volunteers.
Having seen the recycling work we do in Taiwan, our volunteers there vowed that they’d also work hard on recycling.
So, our volunteers in the Kuala Lumpur area began thinking of ways to recruit recycling volunteers.
Tzu Chi volunteer, Wan-gee said:“At the time, he was drinking tea and chatting. I thought that since they were having tea and chatting, they must have lost of time to spare. So, I went over and invited them to volunteer with us at our recycling station. When I went over to invite them, I was actually quite scared. I was worried they’d think I was trying to trick them. But, thinking of how desperately we needed more recycling volunteers, and how Master says that where there’s a will, there’s a way, I forgot about my worries and just did it."
Look at our volunteer, Wan-gee. Having often heard me speak about the importance of recycling and the need for more people to do recycling work, she began talking to retire seniors about how they could help protect the Earth through recycling.
To be able to do this, we must first cleanse and open up our hearts and let go of our egos before we can inspire others to join our efforts.
So, Wan-gee set aside her ego and began inviting the elderly to do recycling.
At first, the recycling station where she serves only had about five volunteers but now, they have over 20 volunteers.
See how there elderly are making the most of their later years and how each of their days is now filled with hope and joy.
We know that some children will encourage their parents to play manjong as a pastime after they retire, believing that they won’t get dementia this way.
One such example is Ms. Chong who is in her 70s.
But, once she started playing mahjong, she became addicted to it and spent all her time playing without eating or resting.
So, she often had headaches and stomachaches.
In the end, she had to take medicine every day, and yet, she still kept playing mahjong.
One day, she met our volunteer, Wan-gee, at the market.
Wan-gee told her about our recycling work and asked her, “Since you have a care, could you invite more people to do recycling and drive them to our recycling station?”
She agreed, thinking that it’d be rude to refuse. After some time, she started to enjoy the work very much.
So, she shares about the work with those who do morning exercise with her in the park as well as some of her friends, and has inspired many of them to join her in doing recycling work.
She leads a good life and her son treats her very well, but she was not happy before.
Going out with her friends didn’t make her happy either. But now, doing recycling work has brought her a lot joy.
“They say that I look younger now I was glad to . if that’s true, then I should do more recycling”
That was how she found the true value of life through doing recycling work.
She is very happy now. There is another volunteer, Ms Lim, who has retired from work.
Many years ago, one night, when she got up to use the bathroom, she fell and hurt her kidneys.
Unfortunately, the condition caused her right leg to tremble. She was unable to walk and had to take medicine every day.
A recycling volunteer, Ms Lim said: “In the past, whenever I went out, I had to bring an umbrella, a bottle of herbal oil, and my sister.”
Ms Lim’s sister said: “She was afraid she’s faint as she was very weak.”
Ms. Lim said: “When I got care sick, I had to apply herbal oil. I’d buy 3 bottles oil every month and keep a bottle in each of my bags because I got anxious easily and had depression.”
Her family cared for her and gave her their full support. Gradually, she recovered and was able to walk.
But, five years ago, her husband suddenly passed away. So, she had a relapse of depression and was unable to sleep at night.
Then, one of our volunteers advised her to watch Da Ai TV.
So, she began listening to my talks every day and gradually opened up her heart.
But, she stayed at home every day and was still very unhappy as her son and daughter-in-law both work during the day.
Later, she moved with her son’s family to a neighborhood very close to Tzu Chi’s recycling station.
So, she asked her son to drive her to the station and started doing recycling work there. She’s very happy now.
“Recycling keeps me so I don’t’ have time to brood over things now, all I think of is what to cook for the recycling volunteers. I’m never idle. It’s good to still be useful at my so, I’m very grateful for Tzu Chi.”
She feels that her life is more meaningful now. So, every day, like a rising sun, her life is full of hope.
Indeed, if we let our time slip by emptily, no amount of wealth can bring us true happiness.
So, we must live each day with hope like how a rising sun fills the world with light.
Even if we get old, we must not think of ourselves as a setting sun as every day is a day full of hope.
In life, we truly must seize time and make the best use of every second we have so that we can live a full and meaningful life.
When we seize time to give of ourselves and live every day with joy and happiness, our life will be one of great value.
Seeing their examples, we must learn from them.
(Source: Da Ai TV 人間菩提)
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