The world of Tzu Chi May-June 2022 (Vol.141)

18 2022 • 06 pecial Feature Sutra Chanting on Tzu Chi’s 56 th Anniversary The sound of Buddhist chanting filled the KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall as about 1,000 Tzu Chi volunteers returned to their spiritual home for the chanting of the Medicine Buddha Sutra, which was held to mark the 56th Anniversary of Tzu Chi. Volunteers in Malacca and Muar performed the prostrating pilgrimage in honour of the Anniversary. Compiled by the Editorial Team Translated by Goh Hwe Yong Photo by Chan Tuck Meng T zu Chi was founded in 1966. Back then, Master Cheng Yen and her disciples engaged in spiritual practice in Puming Temple. They led a frugal life relying on their own efforts. They did not hold Dharma services, only chanting the Medicine Buddha Sutra on each distribution day held on the 24th day of every lunar calendar month, to reciprocate the donors’ generosity towards Tzu Chi’s charitable work. More than half a century since then, the practice of chanting the Medicine Buddha Sutra on Tzu Chi’s Anniversary remains. In conjunction with the occasion and Master Cheng Yen’s birthday, a team of volunteers led by Chong Yoke Jong commenced producing 3,000 longevity peach buns at the KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall from April 11. Returning to the spiritual home April 24 was an auspicious day. White clouds in the blue sky floated in harmony with the volunteers clad in blue and white uniforms. Early that morning when the event coordinator, Tan Wei Han, pushed open the bronze doors and looked inside the Jing Si Hall main foyer from the outside, he could not help exclaiming, “Wow, such a beautiful sight! We can finally come home after two pandemic years!” For the close to thousand volunteers who turned up, the familiar Jing Si Hall remained just as solemn and dignified as before. It was sheer joy returning home to where their spirit longed to be, especially on this special occasion, which marked the 56th Anniversary of Tzu Chi. The calm resonance filled Jing Si Hall as rows of volunteers seated upright chanted the Medicine Buddha Sutra concurrently with the Dharma Masters at the Jing Si Abode via live video streaming. The unison sound echoed through the air and the minds resonate with the Buddha and the Dharma. Volunteer Ng Lay Hoon was not quite familiar with sutra chanting. She started copying sutras with the intention of learning to write. Over time, the sutra verses were planted in her mind. Hence, when listening to the Master’s discourse, she could relate and gain a deeper understanding of the gist of the sutra. She was awed by the twelve great vows of the Medicine Buddha and felt that it is important to live out the Dharma to benefit humanity.