Transformation of Life with Compassion and Wisdom

Sharer: Lin Yuru

Scope of reading : 2022 [Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s Footsteps] Autumn Volume 07/29～08/04

Translator Name:    Wong Siew Ching (MY) 黄曉清

Editor Name:  Eugene Tang (SIN)  鄧國榮

Dear Dharma Master, Abode Masters and Tzu Chi family around the world, my name is Yu Ru. The scope of reading today is the 2022 Footprint Autumn Volume 07/29-08/04, and the topic is " Transformation of life with compassion and wisdom ".

In 2022, Taiwan Tzu Chi Charity has received more than 14,900 cases and reported more than 126,000 households for long-term relief, and more than 201,000 households for home care , there were more than 17,900 cases of emergency assistance, and 8,498 cases of student aid. Tzu Chi volunteers pay their own way and go about volunteering as usual, willing to be unsummoned teachers for all those who are suffering

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On 2 August, 2022, the Charity Home Visit Team of the Central District had a heart-warming discussion with Master, and shared several relief cases and cases of families with student assist. From everyone's sharing, could feel everyone's great love, and was also grateful to the volunteers for their dedication.

In 20220910 [Life Wisdom, Compassion, Wisdom, Spreading the Way] https://youtu.be/jylT7AEIlow (1:28’~3.35’)

The Venerable Master said:

I feel that there must have such cases, and there are people like you who have undertaken the cases and are also very happy to carry them out. Despite dirty places and difficult roads, you have no second thoughts.  Now you return to Abode to share about these cases, and you treat hard work as a joyous contribution. Master tells you this and that, and you just believe it, and now you managed to turn hard work into happiness. This is really about the state of mind. So everyone does it, contributes to benefit the people, this kind of hard work, truly regards the human world as the homework of our Bodhisattvas in life, so it is really hard work. You have been to all the places, be it top of the mountain, the seaside, and the village. This is what Master wants to thank you for. But remember, you must encourage the care recipient with love and wisdom, and you must walk steadily and steadfastly.  Don't let the care recipient become reliant on you, so I look forward in the process of compassion, don't forget about wisdom. Let him know that only a life of struggle can lead to real future achievements. We need to coach their mentality, love is the most valuable thing, and we will help them well.

Dharma Master often said that "poverty and illness are inter dependent". Some families are "poor due to illness" - in order to treat illnesses, the wealth of the family is depleted or the family's breadwinner is injured, sick, or dead, resulting in the loss of financial resources for the family; Sick because of poverty』-Because of poor economic conditions, they dare not seek medical treatment, and minor illnesses become serious illnesses. If there are children in the family, the problem of schooling is also a very big burden for the family.

Therefore, student aid has become an important part of Tzu Chi's . The Dharma Master said that people's hope lies in education, and only when the family and society have hope can the country have strength. If children can acquire skills and learn the principles of life and conduct through education, they will have more opportunities to develop in society in the future.

However, someone once asked the Dharma Master, why does Tzu Chi support the education of the children of care recipients now that there are student loans available in the society? The Dharma Master said that these children will be the breadwinners of the family in the future, if they bear a lot of debts before they leave society, it will put a lot of pressure on the children, and thus making it difficult for them to go to school with peace of mind. In addition, part of the income after leaving society in the future will be used to repay the loan, and the financial support for the family will be very limited, and the opportunity to turn around the family's will be delayed.

Take the case of Huang Guanhua from Yuanlin High School in Changhua, Taiwan. Because of parents being divorced, her mother has been ill for a long time, and her family is poor. In addition to the care recipient working part-time, Tzu Chi has also stepped in to care for and help her studies for ten years. Last year, Guan Hua was admitted to the Department of Medicine of National Taiwan University. She is very grateful to Tzu Chi and have great wish to be giver.

In 20230429【The Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s Footsteps - The Energy and Growth of Love 】https://youtu.be/la2Cj3vVH64 (8.02’-10.02’) There is a conversation between her and the Master.

Guanhua: I am very grateful to Master for establishing the Tzu Chi Foundation, so that I can study at ease from elementary school to high school without worrying about my family's financial problems. I am also very grateful to the teachers, aunts and uncles for their company and care over the past ten years. I am Guanhua, and I want to make a wish with Master here. I want to be admitted to the medical faculty. I have seen many teachers, shigu and shibo go around to help many people who need help or have difficulties. I want to help them to study. When I was a child, I could only perform music at the National Taiwan University Hospital to bring joy to everyone. In the future, I hope to be able to volunteer in hospitals or nursing homes like shigu and shibo.  It is best to be able to wear a white robe in the future and bring healing to everyone. In addition to healing family members, we should also help people who are suffering from diseases. I want to be a doctor who heals patients, treats them like family and relatives, and wants to be a good doctor.

Dharma Master: Make great vows! Be a great doctor. Many of our medical kings are very interested in music, and they are also very talented, and they can do it, bless you!

Shiqu: To make Tzu Chi proud as well as your family and yourself. With so many Tzu Chi people caring for you, Tzu Chi will always be your greatest pillar.

Dharma Master: Apart from loving music, she also wishes to become a doctor, so I wish her the best of luck. As long as the child is determined and motivated, we will always be with her.

Dharma Master also reminded Tzu Chi volunteers to be mindful when caring for children, to love and not to pamper them. It is not just about giving material things, but to use wisdom to encourage children to face the future with their heads held high, because only through struggle in life can we truly achieve something in the future.

    What we want to give care recipients is "support" rather than "dependence". Just like we believe in Buddhism, we don't just worship Buddha and chant Buddha, rely on Buddha and Bodhisattva for salvation, but rely on ourselves to transform ourselves and benefit others.

    Finally, let's read a passage of the Master's wisdom together: learn the spirit of Buddha and Bodhisattva, encourage yourself to improve your wisdom, have confidence, and have perseverance. Naturally, you will have the courage to get up from setbacks and work hard in the right direction. This is how we practice the Bodhisattva way. Have a strong mindset

I am Yu Ru, thanks for accompanying me to study.