The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.106)

TZU CHI 106 27 “In each lifetime, we lay out and pave our paths.” During Master’s Dharma talk on September 22, 2017, Master mentioned that our body is a vehicle for spiritual practice, and we should make good use of the body to learn and practise the Dharma. The “Age Treasury” is our wisdom- life. When do we awaken our true nature? On September 24, 2017, Master said, “Since expounding the chapter on the ‘Parable of the Conjured City’, I have been telling everyone that there is no way for us to ascertain the source of our life, nor the beginning and the end of our wisdom-life. Thus, we would not know how long it takes to attain the enlightened Buddha’s nature.” But, Master firmly wants us to understand that the life’s principles that we live by are founded on the truth of life, which is the Buddha-nature or the Dharma-nature. “The purpose of depositing 50 years of age is to transform the 50 years of life experience into wisdom-life, and to live our life to the fullest regardless of our age.” Master also encouraged the elderly volunteer to pass on their experiences to the younger generations and continue to serve and accompany the others in the organization. Upholding the vows “Back when I was 35 years old, I was courageous and healthy. It was a time when I worked really hard.” Master De Tzu, who is 85 years old (in 2018), has been upholding Master Cheng Yen’s teaching for her first generation disciples to sacrifice completely, in her spiritual practice over the past 50 years. At her advanced age, Master De Tzu still works diligently every day, and injects the underlying spirit of the Jing Si Dharma Lineage in her pottery work. The most admirable is how she fully demonstrates the spirit of “cultivating diligently on the Tzu Chi Path” by giving of herself for each and every day she is at theAbode. In the early days at the Abode, we often did not know whether we could afford the next meal. Master De Tzu started some handcrafted pottery work out of a pure intention to help repay the debts and reduce the burden on the Dharma Masters at the Abode. In the process, Master De Tzu’s artistic talent and interests were stimulated, and together with her team, they came up with the statue of the Great Awakened One of the Universe and other art pieces that carry the Dharma. When Master De Tzu first started to make the hollow ceramic lamp, she could not finish even one in a day, because she had yet to master the skills, particularly the force in moulding the pieces. She shared, “Likewise, in spiritual cultivation, we should walk the middle path. Only then can we truly appreciate the process.” At a corner of the Pottery Workshop, Master De Tzu was focusing in carving the face of the Great Awakened One of the Universe. Totally immersed in her work, it seemed that her heart was completely connected with the Buddha’s. With a willing heart and great determination, Master De Tzu injects the spirit of “self-discipline, diligence, frugality and perseverance” in each piece of her pottery work. Master Cheng Yen once commended Master De Tzu for her perseverance saying, “By heedfully moulding the pottery pieces, she has carved out a niche of her own.” Master De Tzu has been upholding her initial aspiration to give of herself for the Abode and has persevered in doing what is right despite the challenges. She is grateful to have such a Age of Longevity: How Would You Like to Grow Old?