(Photo by Wong Twee Hee)
The world is suffering from climate change, global crises, conflicts, and widespread human suffering, which creates a highly unpredictable situation. At the same time, Tzu Chi volunteers are working closely with international NGOs and actively rendering assistance in disaster relief efforts at times of calamities such as fires, floods, earthquakes, and more. It pains me deeply to see images of these disasters; the suffering is overwhelming and unbearable. Yet it also makes me reflect on how fortunate it is to live in a place with a clean, safe, and tranquil environment.
We should feel blessed and content with having a roof over our heads, food on the table, basic necessities to protect us from the elements, the convenience of commuting, and safety wherever we are at all times. We must not take the good circ*mstances in our lives for granted. The peace, wealth, and love we enjoy today are the results of our past efforts. By remaining content and practising good deeds, blessings will come naturally and in abundance. Dissatisfaction with oneself only leads to more suffering. Hence, one should generate positive motivation to help and benefit others, as it can foster continuous growth and blessings for ourselves and others.
During the Buddha's time, his hometown was very poor. He witnessed the suffering caused by birth, ageing, illness, and death among common people and sought to alleviate their suffering. The Buddha left his palace in search of a path to liberate all sentient beings from suffering and to free them from attachments and afflictions.
Returning to the Buddha's homeland is my wish for this lifetime. Jing Si disciples in Singapore and Malaysia understand this wish and have chosen to fulfil my vow on my behalf. They have temporarily set aside their careers to travel to Nepal and India for long-term stays. It is essential for people to return to the Buddha’s homeland to carry out missions of charity, medical care, and education. Building something from nothing requires a strong connection with the local community.
Originally, their lives were very comfortable, but to visit the Buddha's homeland, they had to set aside their status, endure harsh weather conditions, and display great courage. Their experiences and actions there are truly akin to practising what is taught in the Buddhist scriptures. The Buddha came to our world to teach people how to eliminate suffering and attain happiness. Tzu Chi volunteers bravely embarked on a pilgrimage to the Buddha's homeland. They had spread the Dharma in their home countries for many years before traveling to Nepal. Not only did they put the Buddha’s teachings into practice, but they also led by example, inspiring others to do good.
Seeing the “genuineness” and “sincerity” of Tzu Chi volunteers gives me a great sense of accomplishment in this life. We all share the same philosophy and follow the Bodhisattva path. The journey is long, with forerunners guiding us and future generations following diligently. Progress must be made steadily from generation to generation, without deviation from the path.
Lifelong learning is essential for enlightenment and understanding the Dharma. As our knowledge grows, if we only grasp half of what we learn, we will never fully understand the core of the teaching. Life is impermanent, and time is limited. We must remain aware and seek enlightenment through the Dharma. Tzu Chi volunteers, who share these ideals and follow the Bodhisattva path, learn the Dharma with the heart of an innocent child. They learn the way, master it, understand it deeply, and can guide others onto this path.
"Treasure every moment to sow blessings and avoid creating negative karma due to attachments and afflictions. This is the key to spiritual cultivation."
Reflecting on our daily lives, we often notice how busy we are, but how much do we really achieve despite our efforts? We frequently feel helpless, putting our hopes on tomorrow. Living a calm and simple life in the human realm through spiritual cultivation can be a form of enjoyment, but is it truly attainable? There are always endless worries each day.
Time is fleeting—86,400 seconds each day, ticking away second by second. We don't have much time. All things are impermanent. Therefore, live a meaningful life, cherish each moment, and avoid living with regrets. Use the phrase “as the day passes, our life shortens” to encourage and motivate ourselves to remain vigilant.
Buddha teaches us to “Do no evil and perform all good deeds”, which means refraining from committing evil through our actions and speech, as well as engaging in good deeds for the benefit of others. These are two essential aspects of cultivation, aimed at improving our lives and preventing the creation of negative karma due to ignorance.
Many people are often at odds with others, fixating on how they have been wronged and feeling the need to settle the score. They rarely consider their own faults and how they might make amends. When we dwell on the thoughts of how others owe us, the accumulation of such a mindset will not only fail to resolve past negative karma, but worsen it. To avoid wrongful actions and resentments, it is crucial to let go of all anger, hatred, and grievances. These negative thoughts and emotions lead to more negative actions, increased ignorance, and deeper negative karma.
As negative karma decreases, good karma will increase. We should work to eliminate the karmic obstacles ourselves. Let go of past wrongs and focus on doing good to benefit others. Use your time wisely to practice good deeds and move beyond conflicts and resentments. Every person we encounter is an opportunity for spiritual growth. Maintain a mindset of creating positive feelings in others as our spiritual cultivation, which helps forge good karmic affinities in life. Our “cultivation hall” exists in our daily interactions with people. Respect, love, and forming good relationships with others can contribute to a peaceful and harmonious world.
Cultivate kindness in life, nurture it, care for people who crosses path with us and bring the seeds of kindness to our future lifetimes. Human life is precious, use it wisely, seize the opportunity to do good at all times. May everyone be more mindful!
Translated by Michelle Lee
