No words can describe our grief in the face of such an enormous calamity. Our people have been accustomed to a peaceful, prosperous life, never anticipating that the disastrous scenes shown in news footages of other quake-stricken countries would occur right here in Taiwan. Never did we anticipate that our beautiful landscape would be devastated and that the lives of so many would be shattered.

Rescue! Rescue! Rescue! All we could do was hasten to the disaster areas to search for traces of life in crumpled buildings, to rescue those striving to live on the verge of death, to provide medical treatment and food to survivors, and to steady their trembling shoulders and hold their cold, feeble hands.

During those days of rescue and resettlement, of grief and consolation, we conceived for the first time, at such a tremendous cost, what it means to be "people who share the same fate." In our terror during the continuing aftershocks, life appeared so precarious and fragile. By the flickering light here on Taiwan's east coast, we prayed silently that no more of our fellow people on the other side of the central mountain ranges would die. However, this light that we prayed by could also flicker out. No longer can we take the supply of electricity and water for granted. Nevertheless, despite the fact that everything in this material world comes and goes, the instinctive human nature of sympathy and mutual help will light the torch of hope and drive away the coldness and darkness that enshroud the island. Only tenacious love can be our ultimate refuge.

Now the survivors, whose homes have been ravaged and whose hearts have been badly wounded, need us to extend our hands with unlimited compassion to help rebuild their homes and give them the courage to live on. There is no doubt that it will be a long process, but by rising again from the ashes, the greatness of the human spirit at the end of this century can be tested.

Our past experience proves that the people of Taiwan have a buoyant vitality, as well as technology that is not far behind that of the most advanced countries. It is time now for us to exhibit our great love in order to get through this unprecedented crisis. What consoles us is that there has been a movement of great love ever since the disaster occurred. From all over the island, manpower and goods have poured into the devastated areas in central and northern Taiwan, thus fully reflecting the brotherly love and the compassion of our people. The scenes of rescue personnel working together clearly show the human warmth that still lies under the surface of our pragmatic, utilitarian society. We certainly have to admire what they have done!

With their past experience in disaster relief, Tzu Chi volunteers immediately plunged into the relief work. Taking great risks, they went deep into remote areas to deliver food, clothing and comforting words to survivors. More than twenty thousand volunteers shuttled back and forth in the disaster areas. These figures, dressed in their blue and white uniforms, symbolized the love and compassion that exist at the grass roots of Taiwan. We have full confidence that with this tenacious love, we will rebuild our homes.

The universe is finite, but our great commitment is infinite. There is no fear in love. We are grateful to the more than five hundred search-and-rescue experts that came from over ten countries. From them, we have gained a deeper understanding of humanitarian concern, with which we will be able to give even more love and do more good.