The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.106)

TZU CHI 106 29 with impermanence, she had a realization different from the ordinary, and that is, “Suffering leads to great accomplishment. The more suffering we are in, the more grateful we should be. A sense of gratitude develops wisdom.” Master wants us to truly grasp life’s truth as we study the Dharma and to spread the teachings by setting examples. Yin Mama has testified just that by showing no hints of afflictions. Seeing her ease of mind, Master Cheng Yen reminded herself, “This is not easy. She is a true spiritual practitioner.” Yin Mama underwent two leg surgeries and was wheelchair-bound for almost a year. She felt that had she not overcome the worries caused by her illness, she would create more worries as a result. She said, “It is better to be tortured by others than by ourselves.” She believed that in dealing with difficulties or challenges posed by others, one can polish and improve one’s character. Hence, she faced the pain of illness with a joyful heart. “Let the pain be it, and I will do my work.” To her, a life spent doing nothing is a life in vain. “I would rather do till I die than to die doing nothing.” A right frame of mind is the best healer. By keeping to a positive outlook and exercising persistently, she managed to stand up from the wheelchair within a year! Once when she bumped into Master, Master was surprised and said, “You are doing better than me!” Master praised her perseverance and courage in surmounting the adversity in life. Thanks to her composure, Yin Mama is always able to come out with words of wisdom, such as, “Donating your money and giving your energy till you have nothing left. That is true emptiness, and wisdom.” Over the past few decades, she has been saving in her bamboo bank for charity daily, out of a simple mindset: “May Master Cheng Yen shine bright; may Dharma Masters at the Abode shine bright; may Great Love shine bright; and may the world shine bright.” Leaving lasting footprints Despite being illiterate and experiencing hard of hearing,YinMama is able to internalize Master’s teachings and do away with her worries and sorrows. Her understanding of the karmic cause and effect also enables her to face her life without complaints. “A heart of blessing stops us from creating more unwholesome karma.” When I first arrived at the Abode for spiritual practice, she encouraged me with Master’s teachings: “Bitter words are beneficial, bitter food are nutritious, hard work brings merits, hard learning brings improvements, and hard cultivation leads to Enlightenment.” It is her hope that everyone could walk the Bodhisattva Path in depth, with extensiveness and clarity. Compassion is immeasurable, and wisdomis innumerable. In the “AgeTreasury”, we accumulate life experiences, compassion and wisdom, which eventually transformed into eternal wisdom-life. In our life, we take the Dharma to heart and put them into practice, live out our life’s purpose by serving among the masses, and nurture our wisdom as we give of ourselves unconditionally. We shall have faith that our karmic affinities with Master will last life after life, and that the Jing Si Dharma Lineage and Tzu Chi Path will exist till the end of time. Age of Longevity: How Would You Like to Grow Old?