The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.108)

TZU CHI 108 23 on the wall. Gradually, the issue was resolved. Later, some volunteers extended the roofs with zinc sheets and brought a few containers for storage. They also beautified the environment and placed a few chairs at one corner. On evenings when the recycling centre was not in operation, people could be seen chit-chatting there while enjoying the breeze. Now that Sok Chu had understood the importance of harmony in creating a peaceful and happy environment, she was always smiling and gentle in her speeches. As time passed, it became a part of her. Sok Chu also learnt from the Master’s teachings that it is not difficult to achieve great teamwork so long as everyone practises “contentment, gratitude, understanding and tolerance”, is always ready to work in “unity, harmony, mutual love and concerted effort”, wears a welcoming smile and cares for one another sincerely. She remarked, “I understand that as Tzu Chi volunteers, we should form good relationships with everyone. Being a team leader, I should all the more live up to Master’s expectation for us to be on good terms with one another, which is not easy at all. But since this is the path I have chosen, I will be obedient and live by Master’s teachings.” Sok Chu, who used to be a serious person, learnt to listen to and share with others. Over the past 11 years as a community leader, she has successfully led many people to volunteer with Tzu Chi. She was pleased to see more and more people realizing their life’s potential in this big family filled with love and improving themselves with the guidance of the Dharma, thus leading a more meaningful and blissful life. Seeing the positive transformation in others, she also wished that her children could join Tzu Chi. She shared, “I was inarticulate, so I never scolded my children. My only ‘weapon’ was an unpleasant face and a cold war.” It was in Tzu Chi that Sok Chu learnt to guide her children on the Bodhisattva Path by sharing her experiences and setting examples. She also talks about and practises “contentment, gratitude, understanding and tolerance” at home. A super mission Master Cheng Yen once mentioned that a calm and peaceful mind is necessary for a blissful family. As one’s state of cultivation will be reflected in one’s demeanour, when everyone in a family is well-cultivated, the family will be in harmony and all affairs will prosper.Accordingly, if everyone is filled with inner peace, joy and gratitude, and live in harmony with one another, their families and businesses will be sure to thrive and society will naturally prosper. Sok Chu was enlightened by Master’s teachings that “a harmonious family brings prosperity”; it does not refer to the harmony of one family but all families. It is also her wish for every family to be in harmony and for society to be peaceful. She put in a great deal of effort to turn her family into a Tzu Chi family, and her super mission saw some successes after a few years of hard work. The families of her two daughters and son have joined Tzu Chi and experienced some positive changes as a result. For that, Sok Chu is deeply grateful, for she firmly believes that with the guidance of the Dharma and the influence of a loving environment that advocates compassion and kindness, her descendants will lead a meaningful life shining with the true beauty of humanity. A Fulfilling Life Starts with a Harmonious Home