The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.112)

01 TZU CHI 112 By Dharma Master Cheng Yen Translated by Max Siew aster’s Teaching By accepting the teachings of the Buddha, we unleash the value of our lives. Always be grateful to the Buddha, our parents and all sentient beings. A heart of gratitude ensures that we see the beauty of life and bring peace to society. E ach year, the second Sunday of May is celebrated universally as Mother’s Day. On the same day, those of Buddhist faith would observe Buddha’s Day, while Tzu Chi people worldwide celebrate Global Tzu Chi’s Day. This is indeed joyous, as three auspicious celebrations are rolled into one. The Dharma guides us to find the meaning and purpose of life, and to lead a righteous life. From May onwards, Tzu Chi people throughout the world would hold Buddha Bathing Ceremonies. This is to express our reverence and deep gratitude towards the Buddha. More than 20,000 people participated in the ritual held at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. Despite being held at the city centre, the Ceremony was solemn and dignified. For the past few years, many Buddhist Dharma Masters have participated in the Ceremonies and led the public members in performing the Buddha bathing ritual. Thanks to the rehearsals prior to the Ceremonies, everyone was able to perform the ritual in synchronized movements and with one heart, making the ritual a splendid spectacle. Beyond Taiwan, Tzu Chi people in more than 40 nations/regions also held the Buddha Bathing Ceremony. In some of these Ceremonies, Tzu Chi people actively promoted vegetarianism and the concepts of environmental protection. Besides Buddhists, there were also participants from other religious faiths. It was indeed very heart-warming to see the harmonious scenes of people coming together for the event, regardless of belief or creed. The Buddha was born into this world more than 2,500 years ago. Through intense spiritual cultivation, the Buddha gained Enlightenment and realized universal truths. He then preached the Dharma to the world. All things in the universe undergo four stages, namely: formation, continuation, decay and destruction, whereas the four stages for humans are: birth, ageing, illness and death. If we spend our whole life drifting aimlessly, we will end up perplexed. We will be hurt by ignorance and delusion till the last day of our lives. Thus, we should make full use of our time [to serve humanity] and live out the value of our life. As such, we plant seeds of kindness and goodness in our hearts, and with constant spiritual cultivation, we will progressively grow in wisdom. It is precisely this time that we express our deep gratitude towards the Buddha, for his The Dharma Illuminates the World