The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.112)

2019 • 07 44 was initiated by the Department of SocialWelfare of the Taipei City Government. In line with the programme, Cai-yun and her fellow volunteers have been sharing care-giving duties among themselves. Cai-yun would pay frequent visits to Grandpa Wu as she lives a stone’s throw away from the latter, hence they share a particularly close bond. Having witnessed the lives of many solitary seniors like Grandpa Cai and Grandpa Wu in the course of her care-giving duties, Cai-yun, 67, is now faced with the prospect of advancing towards old age herself. The ageing process is invariably associated with the deterioration of physical functions like knee pain and aching joints – challenges Cai-yun embraced with an open mind. “How would I be capable of empathizing with the pain of others if I have never experienced it myself?” she reflected, choosing to confront the inconveniences of ageing with a different perspective. Awindow into the lives of others Cai-yun, the ninth among 12 siblings, was raised by parents who worked in the civil service. Growing up, her parents insisted that their sons travel by themselves to board at a relative’s house during summer breaks once they entered junior high school. This was to instill independence and self-confidence in them. The daughters of the family, however, were rarely granted the opportunity to venture on similar excursions. This realization evoked a tinge of envy in the young Cai-yun, who resolved to lead an independent life and build confidence in herself. After graduating from high school, Cai- yun had worked several stints in finance and accounting in various companies. In 1986, she became acquainted with volunteer Chen Xin-yi, and signed up as a Tzu Chi donor. Three years later, she accepted Xin-yi’s invitation to attend a talk organized by Tzu Chi at Shilin High School, and was deeply moved by the volunteers’ warm hospitality towards the attendees despite meeting for the first time. She has long harboured intentions to contribute to humanitarian efforts by volunteering with Tzu Chi, but hesitated owing to a deep-rooted weakness she found difficult to eradicate. On a visit to the Tzu Chi Headquarters in Hualien, Taiwan, she consulted Master Cheng Yen on her dilemma of keeping her material attachments in check, “Master, I’ve an affinity for shopping for clothes and dressing up. I’m aware of my shortcomings, but I still struggle to curb my impulsions,” she confessed, hoping for guidance from the Master. In response, the Master encouraged her to participate in volunteer work more often and acquaint herself with the volunteer uniform – the navy-coloured mandarin gown emblematic of certified female Tzu Chi volunteers – and the values of compassion and tolerance it symbolizes. The Master’s words inspired her to commit herself to voluntary work upon her return to Taipei. She was certified as a Tzu Chi Commissioner in You Cai-yun (far right) and fellow volunteers worked together to conduct repairs on Grandpa Cai’s (2nd from right) home, enabling it to withstand the weather fluctuations across the mountains. eople