On January 26, 2001, while Taiwan was celebrating, an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale shook India. Its epicenter was in the second largest and most densely populated industrial city in the country. In comparison, the earthquake that hit central Taiwan in 1999 was smaller, with a magnitude of 7.3, yet it devastated some regions of the island. What about India? The scale of the destruction there was heartbreaking. The quake toppled buildings one after another, killing over thirty thousand and leaving over seventy thousand missing, their fate unknown...

At this very moment under the crushing rubble, countless lives are struggling to stay alive. Survivors grieve for their deceased loved ones. TV broadcasts show mountains of excavated bodies being cremated right on the roadside. The stench of still unclaimed bodies beneath the debris hangs heavy, and outbreaks of epidemics are imminent. Over one hundred thousand people have become homeless. More than thirty thousand injured need to be treated, but many hospitals lie in ruins. Surviving medical personnel work incessantly to treat the injured. Much as they try, severe medical equipment and personnel shortages hinder the rescue work.

The tremor dealt a heavy blow to India, home to many impoverished people. What happened was truly heartrending. How the victims will survive the grim situation and how the injured will be treated really worries me.



Mend suffering with love


Twelve days before the Indian earthquake, a tremor measuring 7.6 ravaged El Salvador, killing seven hundred and injuring four thousand. The following day, a Tzu Chi member accompanied twenty-eight members of the Chinese Search and Rescue Association to El Salvador. At the same time, Tzu Chi people in the United States bought medicine, food and infant formula, and a medical team went to El Salvador to inspect the situation.

Most members of the SAR had not previously traveled abroad, and some of them did not even possess passports. Their lack of rescue experience abroad greatly worried me. I wondered what would happen if they fell ill or met unseen problems. So I reminded them to get their shots, take pills with them, etc.

Fortunately many people helped. First, Tzu Chi people living close to the airport thoughtfully prepared thermal underwear for them to wear in the cold weather. And then as if sending heroes off, Tzu Chi volunteers saw the SAR members off at the airport.

Second, the sudden tremor prompted the rescue members to leave hastily without preparing the necessary documents. Fortunately, Tzu Chi people in the States arrived at the airport to assist them with the complex procedures needed to pass through customs. They even gave them freshly baked snacks and hot soup. Their care warmed the hearts of the SAR members.

Third, some of the rescuers could not get seats on the plane to El Salvador. The airline company explained the situation to passengers waiting in line at the check-in counter. After hearing the announcement, several passengers volunteered to take the next flight. The help from all these different people enabled the rescue team to board the plane to El Salvador early in the morning of January 16. Sixty hours had already passed since the quake. They flew halfway around the globe and finally arrived at the devastated region.

All the sophisticated rescue equipment, such as video camera probes, monitors, a thermal imager, a saw and hydraulic cutters-donated by Tzu Chi to the SAR at a cost of over NT$20 million [US$625,000]-was employed in this effort to save lives.

The preciousness of love shows in times of suffering. El Salvador is a nation far away from Taiwan-by air it takes over twenty hours. Yet distance did not in the least diminish our love for the citizens of that country, because Great Love should not be confined by national boundaries. After helping in search and rescue, distributing relief goods, and holding free clinics, we are still in El Salvador, planning an even larger free clinic, relief goods distribution and housing construction. Our aim is to help some of the quake victims recover from the disaster and rebuild their homes.



Love and hate are in the mind


Shortly after the new century dawned, earthquakes crippled El Salvador and India. Although the government of India has not appealed to the international community for help, many nations are ready to extend their helping hands. Among them is Pakistan, India's long-standing adversary. I remember that when an earthquake struck Turkey in 1999, their long-time foe, Greece, was the first nation to rush to their aid.

Love and hate are in the mind. No hatred is everlasting-only mutual love is. This world, so full of suffering, needs more loving people who will seize every chance to save others and to sincerely extend care.

We should be grateful for the safety we enjoy here in Taiwan. People who are safe and sound should help those who have been hurt. For the past few days, I have been pondering ways to help quake victims in India. The SAR has frequently called and expressed their eagerness to help. However, numerous problems such as the attitude of the Indian government, the inaccessibility of the affected regions and language barriers have forced us to wait for the right moment to help.

Love will heal the heartache caused by disasters. Taiwan is truly blessed with loving people. Soon after the earthquake of September 21, 1999, in Taiwan, many people devoted themselves to rescue work and to rebuilding damaged schools. The reconstruction is nearly finished. Their sincere devotion and selfless love continue even till today. In comparison to the little island of Taiwan, the affected region in India is extensive. Tzu Chi will keep a close watch on the situation there. Once we find a way to do rescue work, we will provide the victims the means for rehabilitation.



Love will cleanse filth


In Taiwan, people have just enjoyed a happy and safe Chinese New Year holiday. Many joined local tours, traveled abroad or visited friends and relatives. While we had fun with our families, a group of people stood by to serve us. For example, policemen and firemen were on duty in the chilly wind to protect our safety, media workers kept us up to date with the latest news, and medical personnel saved lives day and night. Janitors and street sweepers sacrificed their vacations as well. Then there were Tzu Chi people who volunteered their New Year holidays in hospitals or nursing homes to look after others.

All those who carry out their duties wholeheartedly deserve our thankfulness. If everyone harbors gratitude in their hearts, the world will become untainted, peaceful and harmonious. Let our love be like a stream gently washing away the muddiness in our minds. It might take time, but if we try our best, then one day our minds will return to their bright, pure original nature.

As today fades into yesterday, our life shortens by a day. Fleeting as time is, if we use it wisely in helping others, we will make this ephemeral moment more lasting and our wisdom will grow. Let us seize the time, be diligent and serve others, then every second in our lives will shine radiantly.

During the New Year, people are mindful not to make mistakes [traditionally it is considered inauspicious if one says or does something wrong at New Year]-they greet each other and wish each other well. If we can do this in our everyday life, then the world will certainly become the Pure Land.

May you have wisdom and blessings!