The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.109)

TZU CHI 109 29 Tzu Chi’s rice bank – a gift of compassion By Tzu Chi Documenting Team Translated by Translating Team I n May 2008, Cyclone Nargis caused catastrophic destruction in Myanmar. Following that, Tzu Chi launched disaster relief efforts, including distributing rice seeds to help the affected farmers resume their agricultural activities. When the farmers learnt about the humble beginnings of Tzu Chi—with 30 housewives each saving 50 NT cents from their grocery allowance in a bamboo coin bank daily—they were deeply moved. A farmer, U Myint Soe, then decided to emulate the spirit of the Bamboo Bank Era by saving a handful of rice daily to donate to others in need. His gesture of kindness inspired another farmer, U Thein Tun, who also received rice seeds from Tzu Chi, to speak good words to his crops and refrain from the use of pesticides. Grateful to Tzu Chi for the bumper harvest, U Thein Tun also began to save a handful of rice before cooking each day to help the needy. The ripples of kindness continued to spread to another farmer, U San Thein, and by the end of May 2018, U San Thein and U Thein Tun had successfully promoted the rice bank movement to 15 local villages and garnered the support of nearly 1,000 households, enabling the collection of over 1,100 kg of rice each month to help more than 60 impoverished families. U Thein Tun once said, “If Master gave me money, I may finish it in the blink of an eye. But Master taught me compassion, an asset for a lifetime.” True enough, the seeds of compassion are sprouting in the villages, and the local farmers are no longer troubled by their hardship. Instead, they are finding more meaning to life and spiritual joy from helping others. Rice Seeds for 40,000 Farmers in Myanmar