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

TZU CHI 142 27 some kind souls to provide free breakfasts to all students, to keep them from going hungry. Eswaran a/l Balakrishinan, a dedicated and passionate teacher, has served at the school for nine years. He became a Tzu Chi donor in 2016. Recently, when volunteers shared with him about the “100 Vegetarian Meals” campaign, he responded positively saying, “This is such a good cause. We shall get the students to give their support together!” With that, the two-month campaign was introduced in the school, and the teachers and students responded to the call to take vegetarian meals from April 1. Each student was given a record card with 100 boxes for them to tick after each vegetarian meal. In addition, the school specially produced and put up a large record card for the teachers and students to keep track of the progress, evidently placing great importance on the campaign. With sponsorship from the teachers and the generous public, the school provided vegetarian meals to the students every Thursday so that they could enjoy the meals together. Some parents also supported the campaign by preparing vegetarian meals for their children. Also, in conjunction with the Vesak Day activity in May, Teacher Eswaran shared with the students a more compassionate way of living: “A vegetarian meal does not sacrifice animals, allowing them to live freely.” We made it! On May 22, volunteers visited the school to present a certificate of participation and souvenir to the teachers and students who successfully completed 100 vegetarian meals. Everyone was pleased with their achievements. Some obese students have also lost weight thanks to the vegetarian diet. Principal Vanitha a/p Darman remarked, “Going vegetarian helps improve the students’ health, and the parents generally acknowledge the benefits of a vegetarian diet. This encourages the parents to cook more vegetarian meals at home.” Student Ivinaash a/l Ganeson said, “I am very happy to have vegetarian meals, though it is challenging too. It is delicious, not greasy and healthy. I am enjoying it!” Another student, Harini a/p Sarawaran, loves vegetarian food. She even requested her mother to cook more vegetarian dishes. By observing a vegetarian diet, which does not sacrifice animals, one is indirectly liberating lives. When more people embrace vegetarianism, the karma of killing will then reduce. Following the campaign, the school has made the decision to continue the good cause, where arrangements will be made for all 32 staff and students to enjoy a vegetarian meal together twice a month. Even during school holidays, the teachers will deliver vegetarian lunch boxes to the students at their homes. Teacher Eswaran was glad for the opportunity to participate in this campaign, and he will continue to support vegetarianism with his family. In the face of frequent disasters around the world, it is pressing for all to awaken the compassion within and adopt a vegetarian diet to protect all lives. On the same note, Master Cheng Yen has been urging everyone to advocate and embrace vegetarianism, so as to harness the collective power of kindness, to effect positive change in the world.