Human Ethics are Served in Tzu Chi

Guide: Lin Yuru

Translator: Siri Su

Scope: 2022【Daily Journal of Dharma Master Cheng Yen】Summer Scroll (Progress 05/20-05/26)

Dear Master, Masters at Jing Si Abode and Tzu Chi family members all over the world, my name is Yu Ru.

The scope of reading today is the 2022 Daily Journal of Dharma Master Cheng Yen Summer Volume 05/20~05/26, and the theme is "Human ethics in Tzu Chi".

According to the data provided by the Ministry of the Interior at the beginning of this year, in the whole year of 2022, the total number of births in Taiwan was only 138,986, a record low. Of course, this phenomenon is not limited to Taiwan. Judging from the picture on Wikipedia, in fact, the fertility rate in developed countries around the world is generally declining. On the contrary, Central Asia and Africa still maintain a fairly good fertility rate. Taiwan's Development Committee even put forward data predictions that by 2025 Taiwan will officially enter a super-aging society.

On May 25, 2022, the Venerable Master mentioned in a discussion with the Charity Board of Directors that the Jing Si halls in various places are tall and grand, and many long term care centers are set up in many Jing Si Halls. The elders in action interact with each other, eat and learn together. With the care and companionship of the caretakers and volunteers, their children and grandchildren can go to work and class with peace of mind during the day, and take them home at night to enjoy the family relationship.

The Venerable Master explained the purpose of establishing long-term care bases, hoping that in the future, home services will be developed to "bring out" the elderly to Tzu Chi's long-term care bases for activities, increasing the opportunities for the elders to leave their homes.

On November 24, 2020, the "Community Long-Term Care Service Center" jointly established by Tzu Chi and the Kaohsiung City Government was officially established in Kaohsiung Jing Si Hall. Moreover, four themed areas are planned for the elderly, including "nostalgic cognition functional area, life rehabilitation area, horticultural therapy area, and music coffee area".

We all know that there is a Great Love Kindergarten in Kaohsiung Jing Si Hall. The long-term care center and the kindergarten have also made good use of their geographical advantages to jointly create a learning model of "inclusiveness for all ages". Let's now take a look at the interview clips of the "Learning Together" in Jing Si halls.

20230110's [Da Ai News - Old and young learn to make glutinous rice balls together, and arouse vitality and laughter across generations] https://youtu.be/dFAgm6tm4SQ (0:25-2:03)

"Are the glutinous rice balls floating?" The children were fascinated while watching, and they made it together with big and small hands, which strengthened the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.

Teacher Huang Ayu from Tainan Daai Kindergarten: "The elders teach our children different knowledge and talents. We hope that through such interactions, the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren can be enhanced."

As for the Kaohsiung Daai Kindergarten, the whole class was brought to the Daycare Center, and the children cheer up the elders.

Lin Qianen, a student at Daai Kindergarten in Kaohsiung: "I like passing the ball with my grandparents and playing rock-paper-scissors.

Zeng Xuanyun, a student of Daai Kindergarten in Kaohsiung: "I like hugs from grandpa and grandma, he will always give me warmth."

Elder Cai Wenqiang: "He hugged us like this, everyone is very happy to play like this, like my grandson."

Elder Wu Meili: "I am younger and happier."

Ji Yihong, an attendant at Kaohsiung Daycare Center: "This is really a great psychological comfort for them."

The children of Dalin Daai Kindergarten also went to Tzu Chi Hospital's care organization to dance with them. "You're great!" Give elderly a card in person, experience the interaction with the elderly, and let the elders learn the thinking and ideas of the new generation, so that the old and the young can grow together.

In fact, not only Taiwan, but also European countries and Japan, which is also an aging society, even implemented co-education for young and old earlier than Taiwan. And what are the benefits of studying together?

Wu Shujuan, a teacher from the Department of Child Development and Family Education at Tzu Chi University, said that the elderly are aging, but they also need to recover and develop; while children are growing and developing, they are also aging. The old and the young have something in common, and it is also a complementary learning. The elderly get emotional comfort from the children, and the children can also learn to respect the elders.

The Venerable Master once kindly stated that she hopes  our nursing home or long-term care center is educational, educating children to be filial to their elders. The care workers and volunteers who come to work should also cultivate the sincere love of "When other people are hurt,I suffer as well" and then influence other organizations to protect the elderly with love until the end of their lives.

20220611's 【Daily Journal of Dharma Master Cheng Yen  - long-term care with love and old age without hindrance】

The Venerable Master said: "The elderly need young people to care about them. This is called "whole society" because everyone will grow old. Time has been passing by every minute and every second, and the accumulation of time every minute and every second makes people old. From young to old, how can we let young people know how to care for the elderly. Because we often hear our social workers mention the elderly, long-term care, illness, etc. during meetings. I would always say, don’t always say that there are problems with the elderly. If there were no elderly in society, how could your society be where it is today? To respect the elderly, we must find a way to keep the elderly company, so that their wisdom can be brought into play, so that they feel "I am useful, I am useful", we often hear "Old is useless". If they think that way, they will keep getting old.

Three years ago (2019), I told Tzu Chi volunteers that Master will open a "Lifetime Treasure", and when you are 70 years old, you will send your 50 years to Master for storage. You are now 20 years old, and people who are 70 years old should do the work as if they were 20 years old. Do what you can. So from that time on, the eyes of many of us elderly people lit up, and they would say, "Master, I am only 35 years old this year." Do you know that? I am only 35 this year. Sometimes I will stop and think. I am only in my thirties. Do you think I am old? I do not recognize my old age. I still have functions to contribute to the society. "

"It's useless to be old?" My 92-year-old grandfather also said this sentence. I told him, "Do you know how old the oldest volunteer in Tzu Chi is? He's 104 years old! As long as you have a broad heart, you won't grow old." "Old" does not refer to the appearance, but to our mentality.

Finally, let’s recite a Jing Si aphorism together: “Don’t be old, old people have to do more, and don’t be confused every second. Walking amongst the people to make good friends, happy to be a volunteer, this is to enhance wisdom life. "

I am Yu Ru, thank you for accompanying me to study.