Translated by Teresa Chang
Over 30 tornadoes tore through six American states in the Midwest and South on December 10 and 11, 2021. One of the tornadoes traveled more than 300 kilometers (186 miles), a distance enough to cover Taiwan from north to south. The storms carved a path of destruction, wiping out sturdily built houses as effortlessly as if they were built of paper. Tzu Chi volunteers in the country have mobilized to help.
America has not been the only country that has been recently pummeled by natural disasters. Other examples include the Philippines, which has been devastated by a typhoon, and Malaysia, beset by severe flooding. It worries me to see our world ravaged by disasters. The effects of climate change are such that nature has been thrown out of balance, resulting in calamities occurring much more frequently. We can no longer say that those disasters are far from us—they are not as far away as you may think. The universe may be vast, but there is only one Earth, on which humanity’s survival rests. Tornadoes and earthquakes are hard to predict, and wildfires burning thousands of acres seem to have become a norm. There are other kinds of disasters as well and pervasive problems such as air pollution. We can no longer think that these disasters happen only to other people. It is something we all must face.
Can humans really conquer nature? Human beings are minuscule compared to the vastness of nature, yet we have such large egos. Being self-centered, we give free rein to our greed and desires. Our unwholesome, negative thoughts and behaviors have been accumulating, and they have collectively created a massive amount of bad karma. This powerful negative force has led to natural calamities and disasters. The cause of natural disasters lies in human actions. Our mindsets and behaviors are responsible for what the world is like today.
The Buddha came to the world to shed light on life’s truths. He clearly taught us about life’s impermanence, about the abundance of suffering in the world, about the emptiness of all things. He also pointed out a path to end that suffering. But it’s hard for many to awaken to the truths he taught. They continue to live blindly in pursuit of transient pleasures and are going the wrong direction in life.
All of us have a buddha nature and are capable of the same wisdom and awakening as the Enlightened One. If we can take the Buddha’s teachings to heart, eliminate our unwholesome habits and tendencies, and stop being attached to our desires, our life will be blessed with peace and serenity. If we can turn inward and reflect, listen to our inner voice, and work on recovering our innate pure nature, we will stop being led astray by illusions.
I have often talked of fireflies lately. This kind of insect can glow in the dark and liven up the night with specks of light. Though their small twinkles of light cannot dispel all the darkness, they bring to my mind the vibrancy of nature and the beauty of the world. Examples of such vitality and beauty in the world make me ponder where the hope of humanity lies.
If there is to be hope for the world, we must have faith in ourselves, faith that we have the power to make a difference. Each and every one of us needs to spread good messages, do good deeds, and encourage and keep one another going. If we can do so, our world will never be devoid of hope. We have a collective responsibility to take care of the world we live in. Ask yourself: “Have I done my share? Have I fulfilled my responsibility?” We may have limited strength, but like the fireflies, we can all give off our flashes of light. Never underestimate yourself. Believe in your ability to give love. This is how we can all bring our light to the world.
Take stock of your life to see if you have put your time to good use by benefiting the world, or if you are just letting your time slip by in vain. If you find you are not doing enough, then step up your efforts. If you have already done a lot for the good of the world, remember that many people still need your help, and keep on going. We must all pitch in when it comes to doing good. Today’s world needs us. Let us contribute what we can and live a life without regrets.
