The world of Tzu Chi July-August 2022 (Vol.142)

TZU CHI 142 11 start again as it is never too late, especially if one has a deep affinity. Choong Siew Mooi said, “I missed the stone I wanted and was unable to find another similar one after that…” She has been attending volunteer training for more than five years, and last year, she finally had the will to be a Tzu Chi Commissioner. The activity reminded her to cherish the affinity with Tzu Chi, for there is no turning back in life. Ang Mee Kuan accepted the stone she picked even though it was not perfect. She realized, “In life, we need to learn to accept unpleasant circumstances and reframe our moods, only then can we live happily and be contented always.” There is a lesson for everyone While preparing to study abroad, 19-year-old Lim Yen Thung participated in the musical adaptation. “After leaving Tzu Chi Teenagers’ Group for some time, I felt a little lost, like my life was standing still. I feel good to participate in sign language practice and book study sessions. I have learned something from everyone and I feel fulfilled,” she said, and added, “The sharing and teachings on Dharma, along with the varied perspectives of members, have taught me to be more mature in my outlook, and to face challenges with composure.” Khor Chin See, who was a Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth, now works at a traditional Chinese medicine centre. As her company stresses on performance and sales targets, she would try to persuade patients to sign up for packages. She reflected, “Why have I become like this? We have to take care of our hearts and not go astray. This is what Master always tells us.” Chin See realized that the “greed” in Buddhism refers to a bottomless pit, likened to a bad habit that clouds the mind. Since then, she has stopped her blind pursuit of performance. Bringing Dharma family members back Volunteer Ngooi Pek Wah was the leader of the Artiste PR Team for the 2015 “Dharma as Water” musical adaptation and could not join as a performer at that time. When volunteer Khor Leng Leng learnt that Pek Wah had signed up for the musical adaptation this time, she invited her to lead a Dharma boat. Pek Wah gladly accepted the offer and took the opportunity to invite volunteers whom she had worked with in the past. Volunteer Choo Kok Choi was one of them. Kok Choi suffered a mild stroke and was hospitalized in June this year. He has recovered after treatment and is undergoing rehabilitation. He declined Pek Wah’s invitation at first, but the latter did not give up. She told him, “Brother Choo, can you sit on the chair? You just need to move your hands to the left or to the right; it is that simple. Can you do that?” Her words persuaded Kok Choi to board the Dharma boat. After a few practices, Kok Choi realized that the hand movements for the “Dharma Sea” zone were not that difficult. He, too, began to invite others to join the musical adaptation. The rippling effect of members inviting members was amazing. Soon, there was a total of 18 participants on two Dharma boats. It was a great joy to bring fellow volunteers back and cultivate together. The Lotus Sutra: Returning to Our Pure Intrinsic Nature