The world of Tzu Chi June 2021 (Vol.135)

01 TZU CHI 135 By Dharma Master Cheng Yen Translated by Chang Yii Yong aster’s Teaching Realize the impermanent nature of life, understand the true meaning and teachings of Buddha-Dharma, and make the best use of our life to do things that will benefit mankind. Reflect on Life’s Impermanence and Live Every Moment Meaningfully I often sighed about how fast time had passed, but lately time seemed to be crawling at a snail’s pace, making it hard to pass the day. The pace of time has not changed, it is our emotions that make us feel differently. The Taroko train tragedy on April 2 resulted in many casualties, turning the place into a living hell suddenly; bodies and limbs were broken and ripped apart, loved ones were gone forever. What a tragedy! For several days, my heart was weighed down with sadness and emptiness. I felt sorry for the dead, and my heart ached for the injured. My grief and sorrow were beyond words. Fortunately, in that moment of grief, warmth of love and care emerged from everywhere. A Boddhisatva’s spirit is “feeling the pain and sorrow of those who are suffering”. All sectors of society testified to this spirit when they engaged immediately in rescue effort and caregiving. To carry out such tasks were extremely difficult in the dark tunnel and even more so inside the mangled train carriages. Nevertheless, everyone was united in heart and soul to work together, and gave their best. Many events in the world make us sad, but there are also countless incidents we feel grateful for. Both feelings are truly beyond words. I cannot bear to see, nor forget the pain and sorrow of the bereaved families whenever their faces flashed through my mind. Although I am trying to find ways to console their broken hearts, but deep inside, I know I am mending my own broken heart too. As such, we should cherish those around us. Not only should we form good affinities with others, but we should also end hatred with love. We must seize every moment to do so. “If we do not engage in spiritual cultivation in this life, when then?” The Buddha came to this world to expound the principles of life with these words: “impermanence”, “suffering” and “emptiness”. In this incident, carriages were mangled and lives were lost in an instant, causing sorrows beyond words. All these attest to Buddha’s teaching that the world is full of suffering and everything will eventually return to emptiness, due to the nature of life’s impermanence. Thus, impermanence, suffering and emptiness are the truths of this world. The deceased had left to where their karmic affinities would take them. We must turn our sorrows into blessings, pray for them to go with their good karma and start a new beginning. Regardless of how unbearable this tragic incident was, everyone did their part sincerely and also