The world of Tzu Chi July 2020 (Vol.124)

11 TZU CHI 124 lineage to Tzu Chi volunteers, who converge on the Abode from near and far. One of a kind Jing-Si Aphorisms commemorated its 30th year of publication in 2019. Maureen visited Master Cheng Yen at the Abode during the Chinese New Year season and posted an anecdote shared by the Jing-Si Publishing team on Facebook: Jing-Si Aphorisms made waves when it was released into the market, achieving a circulation of 500,000 copies. Master Cheng Yen commented candidly on her first time receiving publication royalties, jokingly lamenting that she was troubled over how to spend the money in her possession. The Master then proposed the idea of converting the proceeds from the book royalties into red envelopes of blessings and wisdom to be distributed to all Tzu Chi volunteers at the end of the year as a token of well wishes. As the number of volunteers increases, over 100,000 red envelopes have been personally presented by the Master to the volunteers, in addition to many more delivered by the Abode’s resident Dharma masters and by Tzu Chi’s local leaders to volunteers in other parts of the world, culminating in total expenses in excess of NT$10mil. Every single cent contributed to the red envelopes is not derived fromTzu Chi’s treasury, but the royalties received by the Master. Yet, the royalty payments are insufficient to cover the overwhelming amount of red envelopes required. Hence, the resident Dharma masters contribute by toiling diligently every day for a living, while profits gained from the sales of Jing-Si products supplement the costs of the red envelopes. Jing-Si Publishing has cemented its status as more than a business enterprise; it thrives on the spirit of service and focuses on purifying hearts and minds with compassion. “The purpose of establishing Jing-Si Books & Café is to enable people to understand the meaning of the Jing-Si spirit after reading a Jing-Si aphorism or Master Cheng Yen’s book, sipping a cup of coffee or tea at the Café, appreciating the Jing-Si instant rice and noodles or using Jing-Si natural soaps. This is an environment that advocates selfless service and gratitude, which is a rare fortuity,” Maureen surmised. Maureen Siao is engaging with a young volunteer at a Jing-Si Books & Café outlet, where children are able to find books catered to them. [Photograph sourced from Maureen Siao’s Facebook profile] An Oasis of Calm and Serenity