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

02 2020 • 09 we should sow more blessings, so that we will always be blessed with peace and safety. Only when we hold Nature in reverence and cultivate blessings, will we be able to mitigate disasters. But, how is a peaceful life maintained? Compassion is the answer. Wholesome compassion means not only doing good deeds and giving in cash, but also protecting lives of all forms. By adopting vegetarian diet, one nurtures loving heart. To have peace in the world, we must collectively sow blessings. Such is called love. A true loving heart is not only in the form of reaching out to those in suffering or in devastated situations, but also cherishing all forms of lives in front of us. To have the compassion to protect all forms of life is what makes us human. Based on statistics, 500 servings of meat-based meals require 38 chickens and a pig of 120 kg to be slaughtered. Chen Ying Ru from Tzu Chi Elementary School in Hualien, Taiwan has initiated a vegetarian drive that aims at having each student to invite one other person to take a vegetarian meal. To date, the primary students and their teachers have successfully invited people around them, making vows to observe over 36,000 vegetarian meals. This is equivalent to saving the lives of more than 2,000 chickens and pigs. Imagine how they can now live freely when we do not take them for food. On the contrary, had we consumed them as food, the anger and resentment arisen in them at the very moment of them being slaughtered would accumulate to become a force to seek redress from us one day. When we observe vegetarian diet, we are free from incurring the debt of killing. No killing for food leads to no demand for livestock rearing, which in turn leads to less pollution and contamination of our environment. Adopting vegetarianism is thus the way to slow down climate changes, and is the most sincere way to express our love and respect for lives. Let us join the children in their drive in promoting vegetarianism, inspiring everyone to curb their desires for meat, to save the animals from fear and suffering, and at the same time, sow blessings for the world. Although it is relatively easy to understand this principle and logic, it is very challenging to rid ourselves of the ignorance and greed in us. One should clearly understand that when we lead sensible lifestyle, we are then adhering to the law of Nature. We must try to awaken our innate nature and cultivate the innate wisdom in us, to see clearly the way to inspire such good deeds and to benefit mankind. In this respect, each and every one is critical in being part of this great force of joint effort. At such ‘abnormal times’, it calls for the united efforts of all to return our lives to normalcy. Having understood the principle and putting them into practice ourselves, we should also share and explain to those in the dark, so that such important message is passed down from one to another. Only then, the world’s climate would stabilize and the pandemic could be alleviated. Essentially, being repentful, observing vegetarianism and having a heart of gratitude should be on our mind each day. Be grateful for our cumulated merits, repent and change our lifestyle to be better, embrace vegetarian diet and influence others to follow suit. Peace will prevail on this Earth when all of us work towards such love and protect all lives and resources. Please be mindful, always. aster’s Teaching * Compiled from a collection of speeches delivered by Master Cheng Yen from June 29 to July 7, 2020.