The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.112)

02 2019 • 07 teachings will greatly enhance our spiritual growth and wisdom. One of the best ways to repay the Buddha is to integrate the Dharma into our daily life. We are also indebted to our parents for bringing us into this world. For all sentient beings, we express our gratitude for one another. Only with a heart of gratitude will we be able to see the beauty of life and bring peace to society. Let us also hope that the Dharma will abide forever and illuminate the world. Tzu Chi has just celebrated its 53rd Anniversary and is now in its 54th year. From April onwards, Buddhist chants could be heard daily at the Jing Si Abode. Those who participated in the prostrating pilgrimage, regardless of old or young, moved towards the Abode in long lines in an orderly manner. Although there were a few thousand people at the Abode daily, the atmosphere remained serene – clear evidence that everyone was well-disciplined. Within and outside of Taiwan, many Tzu Chi Chapters also organized the prostrating pilgrimage event to celebrate Tzu Chi’s Anniversary. In Ormoc City in the Philippines, a villager of Da Ai Village, Wei-xi, participated in the prostrating pilgrimage last year, and carried on his back a large bunch of bananas to offer to the Master. The bananas were then made into banana chips and brought back to the Abode by a volunteer, Alfredo Li. This year, Wei-xi again participated in the prostrating pilgrimage, and this time, he brought along a buffalo. The buffalo was bought by Alfredo and released on Wei-xi’s grounds to avoid it from the fate of being slaughtered. The buffalo followed Wei-xi in performing the pilgrimage with two bunches of bananas on its back. It bowed down its head as if worshipping the Buddha. This very act convinced us that all sentient beings possess Buddha-nature. This is in line with our theme this year, which is: “Nurture a love for life, a heart of gratitude and respect for one another. Foster the spirit of harmony, prevent conflicts and create blessings hand in hand.” In fact, all lives are equal and we must respect the sacredness of lives and cherish all forms of life. During the prostrating pilgrimage event, many participants also donated to help the three East African nations counter the destruction wreaked by Cyclone Idai. Thanks to everyone for evoking the love within and letting it flow freely and continuously. We are indeed very fortunate because we are blessed with good health and a peaceful life. But there are many less fortunate nations in the world, whose people are going through misery on a large scale. Their lives are hell on Earth. Extreme climate change has become a popular topic for discussion. The force of nature is great indeed, and human endeavours may not be able to tame it. But all is not lost, if everyone lives with vigilant care and sincere piety. Together, we can bring about a world full of genuine love. The Buddha taught the four unsurpassed virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. This is also the most important practice on the path of Bodhisattvas. The suffering need help from those who are more fortunate, but this requires karmic bonds between them. Hopefully, everyone can contribute towards turning around the lives of those who are in need. Regardless of how much or how little we could offer, we must seize every opportunity to give selflessly. aster’s Teaching * Compiled from a collection of speeches delivered by Master Cheng Yen from April 29 to May 14, 2019.