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

25 TZU CHI 124 X uan, a regular patron of Jing-Si Books & Café, closed her laptop and packed her belongings, ready to leave the premises. She settles herself at the same spot every time she visits, sipping coffee, her gaze fixed on her laptop screen, occupied with work. She was about to leave for lunch, her stomach rumbling. “Why doesn’t the Café serve main meals?” she asked a member of staff on her way to the door, for she had longed to spend the day in the Café. “The Café offers some biscuits and nuts as snacks, but not other types of food. We’re concerned that the smell of food would distract customers,” the service staff replied with a smile. Our senses respond to sensory stimulation, inciting greed, resentment and ignorance. How are we to focus on our thoughts when trapped by negative emotions? Xuan seemed to have been enlightened by the explanation, nodding with a smile. Israeli intellectual and historian Yuval Noah Harari once warned in an interview: “Our greatest enemy in these times is not the virus, but our own inner demons – greed, hatred and ignorance. If we’re able to unite and generously lend a helping hand to those in need; if we consolidate our belief in science and reinforce our trust in responsible media establishments, we’ll manage to overcome this pandemic and anticipate a better future, a better world to live in.” The professor’s advice resonates with the Buddhist teachings of resisting greed, hatred and ignorance, making room instead for constant reflection and contemplation to gain deeper insights into our inner selves and the universe. As Xuan walked towards the exit, she noticed a photo on the wall, depicting Master Cheng Yen pointing ahead during a discussion with construction workers at the site of a Project Hope school in the wake of the 1999 Jiji earthquake that devastated Taiwan. The Master, with a resolute expression, appeared to be pointing towards the future – a future built on compassion and kindness. Apart from the photo, the Café is imbued with unique aesthetic features echoing Tzu Chi’s philosophy and values, waiting for patrons to discover and appreciate. Step inside and immerse yourself in an inviting space full of meaning. Sit back, relax and unwind An Oasis of Calm and Serenity