Into the "Western Paradise"

I had the timely opportunity to go on a journey of spiritual enlightenment to the Tzu Chi Abode of Still Thoughts in Hualien, Taiwan, and to pay homage to Dharma Master Cheng Yen. This part of my spiritual journey has definitely been an unforgettable and rewarding chapter in my life history.

Walking into the Abode of Still Thoughts, the first sight of the Master gave me a lasting impression of her exceptionally gracious nature. Though she is thin, the master's radiant eyes, her soft voice, and her every movement express her elegance, her benevolence and her warm, cordial hospitality. Her figure before me seemed like the Goddess of Mercy.

The sutra-chanting in the early dawn reminded me of the "Western Paradise" as best described in the "Amitabha Sutra," with birds singing beautiful melodies and light breezes awakening trees and plants. The serene, tranquil surroundings have lent this environment an awesome grace.

The Buddhist nuns, commissioners, volunteers and employees of the Abode of Still Thoughts have dedicated their broad love and boundless compassion to all, making all who come to stay at the Abode feel at home and well cared for. They set the lead in demonstrating their mutual loving care and respect for one another. Everyone greets each other with smiles and praises in the spirit: "Be content, grateful, understanding, accommodating and forgiving." The whole world of Tzu Chi is so serene and peaceful, tranquil and pleasant. I have yearned for this kind of idyllic environment.

Every morning, Master Cheng Yen calls a morning gathering of all the disciples. She conscientiously listens to the volunteers' reports on their encounters in the hospital and on their home visits of the previous day. Then she provides relevant guidance and directives in the cases that were brought up, so that each member will understand the significance of loving care and respect. Master Cheng Yen invigorates their spirits with moral support and emotional encouragement.

During this trip, I had the opportunity to join Tzu Chi commissioners as a volunteer in Tzu Chi Hospital. I also made courtesy visits to show concern for underprivileged families, and I went to women's prisons to counsel the inmates. Each day brought new experiences, and each moment awakened a deeper emotion than the one before. The enduring spirit and untiring stamina of the volunteers, their unreserved passion and selfless dedication, and their enthusiasm and attentiveness in bringing happiness and alleviating misery inspire all and lead us to imitate their goodness.

Observing those selfless volunteers bringing spiritual encouragement to the sick has given me a lasting impression of the majestic Tzu Chi spirit. The volunteers devote their loving care to dying patients along their last journey in life, to ease their sorrows and brighten their days with warmth and sincere concern. They perform sign-language songs to amuse patients and to ease the loneliness that scourges them so painfully. Towards the last part of their journey in life, the patients can enjoy feelings of warm affection and self-respect and leave the world with a peaceful mind. I believe those patients at the Tzu Chi Hospital or those who have the chance to receive alms and relief from Tzu Chi must have sown good karma in their previous lives.

Another significant point that impressed me most during my voluntary service at the hospital was the sight of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, who in spite of her tiny, fragile figure and heavy workload, personally comforted the sick. Her warmth and loving care clearly strengthened and revitalized the patients and helped lead them to a speedy recovery. She embodies the attitude: "In the face of others' adversities, I feel the pain with them; before the sorrows of others, I feel the grief."

I bow to Tzu Chi for accomplishing the great teaching of Buddha: "Great mercy even to strangers and great compassion for all." Tzu Chi has put into practice the Buddhist precept of selfless dedication to charitable service. It brings a renewed vision of compassion in action in a troubled world, and it educates the rich in the way of mercy. It is Tzu Chi's desire that those who are given alms or relief will be able to lead comfortable lives again, their minds and spirits filled with faith in humanity. They hope that those who give to the poor and needy will always take pleasuer from this peaceful and rewarding act. This is the way to disseminate the pure and boundless compassion of Buddha. It is the way to open possibilities for the lonely and forsaken in society, and to react meaningfullu to the needs of people everywhere. I am convinced that this phenomenon is exceptional in our complex society.

Revelations in "Still Thoughts"

"Still Thoughts," the written reflections on the actual practices of the Master herself, has inspired many people in their search for the right direction and purpose in life. This book helps them re-define principles in human relations and attune their personal qualities to their surroundings. The lost revert to a positive life again and they learn to love themselves. They begin to care for others and to give love to their community.

Many go through the changes experienced by "Uncle Jimmy" from New Zealand, who had been searching for the truth and his right destiny in life over the past thirty years. By chance, he came across a copy of "Still Thoughts" at the Auckland State Library. He cherishes it as a gift from God, because the book enabled him to discover direction in his life. He has made it a routine to read one page each day.

During one of our leisurely conversations, Uncle Jimmy highlighted for me the chapter in "Still Thoughts" that tells of the incident of the chipped cup.

One day, a commissioner was serving tea to the Dharma Master when she noticed a chip on the rim of her cup. She said, "Master, I am very sorry. This cup is chipped."

The Dharma Master replied, "Except for that tiny chip, the cup is still intact. It can still be used to serve tea, can't it? This can be said of human beings too. Everyone has certain shortcomings, but if we are not picky about a person's weaknesses, then the person is still a good person."

He stressed that the Dharma Master's inspiring message of the chipped cup had a deep significance which has greatly influenced him. Uncle Jimmy characterized the devotion of Tzu Chi's members as "Love without a price tag and friendship without judgment." In the world of Tzu Chi, members contribute more than just financial aid: they offer selfless dedication and unconditional love, their physical and spiritual time and effort, and their sincere attitude of sharing and caring.

Most of all, Tzu Chi's volunteers never rob the poor and suffering of their dignity. In the world of Tzu Chi, we feel that rather than being the providers of alms and relief, we ourselves are the beneficiaries. This is because we are cultivating our minds and hearts to make our lives more purposeful and meaningful. From our personal encounters, we learn the principles of human behavior and ethics, inspiring the purification of our spirit. We receive an opportunity to develop ourselves and uplift our dignity and integrity. Isn't this the way to spread our wisdom?

"Our society is made up of a large number of different people. Being good alone is not good enough. Being merciful single-handedly cannot contribute much benefit to society. If we want to establish a happy family and a blissful society, we must appreciate and be grateful to one another."

If everybody realizes that what we possess is made possible through others, we should also recognize that we cannot stand alone. We are dependent upon each other's support and assistance for a fulfilling life. As such, we have to consider that what is received from society should also be given back to society. We must contribute what we can to help others so that everyone can live happily and harmoniously.

Happiness in Life Is Created With Compassion

The large family of Tzu Chi, under the proficient leadership of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, has spread a huge umbrella of benevolence for the underprivileged, brought happiness and alleviated misery, and striven for the realization of a blissful, undefiled world of Tzu Chi. I once had a conversation with a sister at the Abode of Still Thoughts. She told me that the Dharma Master once said, "I have painstakingly gathered all of you inside the world of Tzu Chi. Follow this path closely. Don't lose yourselves again."

I was reminded of a chapter in the "Lotus Sutra 7," which tells of a great, wise master who observed that many living beings were growing weary and losing enthusiasm on their path to enlightenment. To revitalize their aspiration towards buddhahood, he created a large fortress so that everyone could enter for a short period to recharge their stamina. I believe that our Dharma Master Cheng Yen is a modern replica of this great wise master, and the world of Tzu Chi is the fortress that she has created so that one and all can come together to practice the path of enlightenment and eventually attain buddhahood.