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GREAT LOVE ACROSS THE TAIWAN STRAITS |
| Help that We Must Give Whenever I hear that a disaster has occurred in Taiwan or  in
any other country, I always feel concerned about the disaster victims. I
pray for them and try to find a way to help them.
In 1991, the central and eastern regions of China were ravaged by floods. Countless people lost their homes and farmlands. I was greatly saddened by their plight and decided to launch a relief mission to help them. It was the first time that Tzu Chi extended its help to the people of mainland China. Help must be given in time. For people in need, even a grain of rice, a cup of water, a helping hand, or a word of comfort is enough to save them and help them regain faith. In the belief that all living beings are equal, Tzu Chi abides by the Buddha's conviction of "Great mercy even to strangers and great compassion for all." We respect and care about all members of the international community, regardless of race and nationality. There is certainly no reason why we should not reach out to help the Chinese people with whom we share the same cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Since 1991, Tzu Chi members have upheld the spirit of compassion and brought relief to the Chinese people in times of need. We have done so not for the sake of propaganda nor to promote Buddhism, but because we respect all life and want to relieve suffering and give joy. We are there to activate people's conscience, cultivate their innate love, and nurture a true understanding of what it means to give and to receive. By caring for each other and doing good deeds together, people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits can begin to enjoy a closer relationship. It is a kind of learning experience that contributes to a cycle of goodness and makes our lives more meaningful and harmonious.
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