The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.112)

Ageing is an inevitable phase in life. Instead of allowing oneself to be intimidated by the prospect of growing old, embracing the impermanence of life expands our capacity to value the limited time we are granted on Earth and to empathize with others. By Fan Jiang Wei-yong Translated by Chia Wen Fang Photographs by Hsiao Yiu-hwa Originally published in Taiwan Tzu Chi Monthly, Issue #628 Embracing Ageing and Impermanence T orrential rain lashed violently across the mountainous terrain of Yangmingshan in Taipei, Taiwan during the autumn season, resulting in landslides that obstructed the path of volunteers who intended to conduct restoration works on the living quarters of Grandpa Cai, a 90-year-old who lives alone at the foot of the Yangmingshan mountain range. This led to an inevitable delay in the volunteers’ journey into the mountains, but they were comforted to know that Grandpa Cai was unaffected by the extreme weather conditions. After the heavy downpour had subsided, the volunteers – with You Cai-yun among them – took the opportunity to complete their mission before the next rainstorm threatened to disrupt their plans once again. Grandpa Cai arrived in Taiwan with the Nationalist Party of China or Kuomintang to work on constructing the Yangjin Highway that connects Taipei City to the Jinshan region in New Taipei City. He has been residing on the island for most of his lifetime. The ravages of time and the elements have inflicted wear and tear on his modest house, with signs of erosion evident on the windowsills, which the volunteers promptly repaired to prevent rainwater from seeping in through the cracks. Asmile spread across Grandpa Cai’s face at the sight of the volunteers, as he signalled to them to gather recyclable construction materials. To 2019 • 07 42 eople