The world of Tzu Chi September 2020 (Vol.126)

01 TZU CHI 126 By Dharma Master Cheng Yen Translated by Goh Hwe Yong aster’s Teaching If we live sensibly, we will not act against Nature. Let us hope for peace in the world, with everyone contributing towards the common good and loving all living beings. Let us also nurture our compassion and create more blessings to the world through vegetarianism. T he Covid-19 pandemic is yet to be behind us, and it has already casted a gloomy outlook for the entire world in a mere half-year period. In general, global temperatures have also risen higher this year. It was said that during the Rice Dumpling Festival on the fifth day of the fifth Lunar month, the weather would still be cold and winter clothing should not be kept away. Yet, the weather this year had become warmer a month ahead of the festival. It is indeed a fact that the Earth’s average temperature is on the rise, and extreme weather conditions are being experienced all over the world at deteriorating rates. In recent times, there were also floods in Kyushu, Japan, the Johor state of Malaysia, and also in Mainland China. The destructive power of Nature is too great to be stopped, making humans helpless and powerless; my heart goes to all of the flood victims, and I truly wish I could alleviate their suffering. Massive floods had taken place in over 20 provinces inMainland China. Unusual torrential rainfalls resulted in forceful currents that overflowed the rivers, further leading to landslides, communication break-down, and homes being destroyed. Besides feeling fearful and worried, the flood victims have to withstand the heat while staying in temporary relief tents. In Sichuan Province, Xichang City of Liangshan Prefecture witnessed severe mudslides, while the Yihai township of Mianning County suffered flooding due to change in the course of rivers. Tzu Chi volunteers rushed to assess the situation and to extend aid. It was a difficult journey, with roads covered in thick layers of mud, brought in by the flood. However, they were determined to overcome all difficulties, to reach out to all those in need of urgent help. Looking at the world, natural disasters take place across many countries. Not only that, wars and poverty have created great suffering to large numbers of people, across many places around the world. War refugees fled their homelands and risked their lives crossing oceans to seek refuge in nearby countries. However, borders are closed due to the pandemic, and these refugees were refused entry. They are thus stranded in the open sea on overloaded boats, not knowing whether their tomorrow will arrive. How I worry for them! When we are fortunate enough to live a peaceful life, we should really be grateful; for that, Adhering to Law of Nature and Protecting All Living Beings