"Mr. Wang is so eccentric. What made him decide to enter the world of Tzu Chi?" His neighbors can hardly figure it out. Brother Wang, who sells white noodles at a farmer's market, said humorously, "I was 'frightened' into becoming a Tzu Chi member." That was a special day that Brother Wang would never forget.

When Brother Yi-lang Wang was only six months old, his father passed away. At the age of 16, Brother Wang went to Taipei to look for a job. With experience and hard work, he opened a bakery five years later. He was proud of his successful business. Shortly after, he got married. After giving birth to two daughters, his wife died of kidney disease. Filled with grief, Brother Wang threw himself into making money and more money. He became very bad-tempered, which alienated his family members. His daughters would hardly even call him "Dad."

The Sun Comes Out

Brother Wang finally made himself successful again after eight or nine years of hard work. One of his friends introduced him to his future wife. She had had a tough life while growing up, and she understood the hardships of poverty. Thus, she was more than willing to help the poor. She overheard some people talking about Tzu Chi and she soon joined up. She expressed her desire to take a journey of spiritual enlightenment to the Abode of Still Thoughts in Hualien in order to learn more about Tzu Chi.

When Sister Wang told her husband about the journey, he didn't show much interest. In a rage, she yelled at him, "If you don't want to go, I'll go by myself. Don't you ever forget this!" Thus threatened by his wife, Brother Wang finally gave in.

While visiting the Tzu Chi Hospital, Brother Wang was surprised to see Tzu Chi brothers and sisters picking up cigarette butts off the floor. He couldn't help but ask, "Don't you use brooms in this hospital?" That was the moment Brother Wang accepted Tzu Chi from his heart. He admired and respected the spirit of Tzu Chi. He soon realized that the world of Tzu Chi was an "uncommon paradise."

A Cozy Home

Generally speaking, most families live happily together. However, Brother Wang and his family have to try a bit harder to make it happen. Being able to make his family members live harmoniously and happily together is the greatest joy in his life.

It is the second marriage for both the Wangs. In the early days of their marriage, they didn't treasure what they had. Both of them had bad tempers and both tended to fight over anything, large or small. Like changing weather, they fought, made up and fought again. Both of Brother Wang's daughters by his late wife were completely neglected. The divisions in the family became deeper and deeper. However, the family was blessed by Tzu Chi. After Brother Wang joined the Tzu Chi resources recycling activity, he began to get along well with his wife and all the family members were pulled back together again. They used to say, "We're too busy to eat, let alone spend time on Tzu Chi." Now they have "no holidays, but Tzu Chi days." No wonder Brother Wang feels grateful to Tzu Chi. Tzu Chi helped him regain a cozy home.

Each Bag of Garbage Is a Lotus Blossom

"It was karma that took me into the world of Tzu Chi, into this arena where we compete to do good deeds. I learned that giving without asking for anything in return brings true happiness," said Brother Wang. After being enlightened by the teaching of Master Cheng Yen, "The more you do, the more you gain; the less you do, the more you lose," Brother Wang thought that actively doing recycling work was like "picking gold from lotus ponds."

Day in and day out for the last three years, Brother Wang has been dealing with garbage. The garbage smells bad, especially on hot summer days. Brother Wang maintains a sense of humor. He nonchalantly says, "Amitabha, the lotus blossoms have a strong scent!" Some cruel criticisms or jeers can be heard every now and then. Brother Wang remembers that Master Cheng Yen once said, "Even if you are scolded and sneered at, you should still feel grateful, because all that helps to eliminate your bad karma and atone for the sins of your previous life." Brother Wang added, "If you get rid of your superiority complex, there is nothing you cannot do. Many obstacles arise when you fail to humble yourself." Thus step by step, Brother Wang overcame his psychological obstructions.

Environmental Protection in Daily Life

The Wangs do whatever they can to promote environmental protection in their daily lives. They used to eat out, but not anymore. Brother Wang brings back leftovers from a friend's cafeteria in the market. Brother Wang said, "Eating enough is the important thing; it doesn't matter what you eat." His children wear school uniforms handed down from neighbors. Almost everything in the house was picked from the dumps, even a bike. The front gate of their house is open 24 hours a day. Neighbors can bring their recyclable junk at any time. Brother Wang even put up a billboard to promote recycling in the community.

With recycling, the Wangs save NT$10,000 or so per month to donate to Tzu Chi. The Wangs don't subscribe to newspapers, and they are not hooked up to cable TV. Behind the simple lifestyle, there is an uncommon spirit of sacrifice which saves every penny for Tzu Chi to help the needy.

Sister Wang used to donate secretly. Brother Wang found some alms receipts and "Thank You Certificates" hidden in the corner of a closet or under a shrine table. "Actually, my wife loves Tzu Chi more than I do. Tzu Chi has changed both of us." Sister Wang has become her husband's best guide to the world of Tzu Chi and a source of wisdom.

Two Honorary Board Members

In 1994, Brother Wang was surprised and deeply touched when he received an honorary board membership certificate. The requirement to become an honorary board member is to donate NT$1 million [US$40,000]. It seemed that Sister Wang had been donating to Tzu Chi in his name for quite a long time. Brother Wang said from his heart, "I failed in my career once, so I try to keep the money that I've earned. My wife should take the credit. Without her, this wouldn't have happened." Brother Wang vowed to help Sister Wang become an honorary board member as well. His wish came true in 1995.

A bowl of white noodles costs only NT$20 [US$0.80], yet in a span of a few years, the couple have both become honorary board members. Maybe the Wangs are not rich, but they certainly have treasure in their hearts.

Master Cheng Yen once said, "One person can hardly eat up all the rice in the world, nor can he do all that there is to do." "After hearing this, I suddenly realized that the thirst for earning money would never be satisfied," said Brother Wang, adding "The money that people earn is 'earthly money' and it goes into regular banks. Another kind of money is 'meritorious deeds money,' and that is deposited in the 'meritorious deeds bank' in Paradise. Better hurry up! Take the chance whenever you can to do meritorious deeds before it's too late!"