The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.109)

2019 • 04 22 eature When the inflatable air mattress belonging to Mr Wong’s mother was torn, the volunteers promptly replaced it with a new one; when Mr Wong decided to hire a caregiver to look after his mother overnight, the volunteers approved an increased subsidy after reassessing his needs. The volunteers were ever mindful of Mr Wong’s requirements and responded with timely re-evaluation and assistance. Mr Wong would look forward to the caring and jovial atmosphere the volunteers brought with them with every home visit. For Mr Wong and his mother, the times spent with the volunteers were the happiest. Through frequent interactions with the volunteers, Mr Wong’s tendency to resort to coarse language was gradually replaced by an inclination towards words of gratitude. Caring for the community The volunteers established a close rapport with Mr Wong through regular home visits, and discovered that he has four children, with whom he had lost contact for over 20 years. The volunteers hoped for Mr Wong to be reunited with his children, and encouraged him to contact them. Now that the relationship between Mr Wong and his children has been restored, the children would pay occasional visits to their ailing grandmother and engage in conversation with their father. Mr Wong’s mother passed away in November 2018, but the void she left behind in Mr Wong’s life is now filled by his children. After his mother’s demise, Mr Wong donated excess furniture and home appliances to his neighbours in need. Mr Wong is grateful to the volunteers for guiding him towards the virtuous path of filial piety by advising him to fetch his mother home from the hospital and care for her, affording him more time to fulfil his filial duties to her, leaving him with no regrets. Spending an extended amount of time in the volunteers’ company had enabled him to observe the joy the volunteers derived from giving of themselves, inculcating in him the true meaning of the Jing Si Aphorism , “Charity is not the privilege of the wealthy; it values the contributions of the sincere-hearted.” He adopted a bamboo bank upon realizing that giving is more gratifying than receiving, and was joined by his younger sister, who was inspired by the story behind the bamboo bank. MrWong emulated the volunteers’kind and caring spirit and spread it among his community by reaching out to his less fortunate neighbours. After donating a portion of the condolence money collected fromhis mother’s funeral toTzu Chi, he used part of the remaining sum to buy groceries and daily necessities for his neighbours in need. Earlier this year, he also donated to Tzu Chi’s Sulawesi flood disaster relief fund. “I should give back to society when I have the means. Tzu Chi volunteers are indeed living bodhisattvas – even my friend said so.” Mr Wong’s friend was initially mistrustful of Tzu Chi’s intentions, but after witnessing the volunteers’ selfless service whenever he visited Mr Wong’s home, he changed his mind and was moved by the volunteers’ kindness to sign up as a Tzu Chi donor. Mr Wong admitted that he might not be articulate enough to give a definite shape to the notion of a “living bodhisattva”, yet the compassion of the “living bodhisattvas” he encountered has left an indescribable yet profound impact on him.