Translated by Teresa Chang
Our final year-end blessing ceremony was held on February 8, followed soon thereafter by the Lunar New Year. This time of year always produces a sense of joy and festivity, yet I cannot help but feel how quickly time passes—another year has slipped by nearly unnoticed. As life grows shorter with each passing day, cherishing our time and living with meaning and purpose is all the more important. It is a blessing to live each day in peace, and an even greater blessing to have the karmic affinity to cultivate a generous heart and work for the welfare of all.
The Buddha came to this world for one great purpose: to teach the Bodhisattva Path, guiding everyone to awaken their bodhisattva heart and give to those who suffer. Everyone possesses an innate buddha nature, but layers of ignorance and delusion have accumulated within us, lifetime after lifetime, obscuring our pure intrinsic nature. To rediscover this buddha nature is the goal of our spiritual cultivation.
In our cultivation, it is essential to guard our hearts and minds. If we fail to rectify even a single thought of ignorance, we begin to deviate from the right path; a deviation of a mere hair’s breadth can lead us ten thousand miles astray in the end. If others’ words or attitudes hurt us, clouding the mirror of our mind, we must use the Buddha’s teachings to wipe it clean. In doing so, we transform our afflictions into wisdom, allowing us to respond to others with kindness and form positive affinities.
As I traveled around Taiwan for our year-end blessing ceremonies, volunteers arrived early each morning to meet with me. The life stories they shared were like living sutras, enriching my knowledge and wisdom. I also listened as they spoke of their experiences in serving others. Sometimes, differing opinions led to friction in their work; when they shared these challenges, I helped them resolve their differences and realign their course. Think of it like a train: As long as the two rails of a track are properly laid, the train moves forward steadily, no matter how many carriages are attached. Likewise, when our direction is correct and our hearts are in accord, we can walk steadily together on the Bodhisattva Path.
Each day, I am filled with gratitude that we have come together in Tzu Chi, giving of ourselves with joyful hearts among like-minded people. Seeing everyone fulfill their roles with unity and mutual love fills me with profound contentment. It is deeply comforting when I hear volunteers share how they have cared for families in need for many years—sometimes from the time children were young until they grew up and became independent. I feel the same comfort when I see multigenerational families volunteering together, witnessing the harmony and warmth within their households as they walk this path of service. These are the greatest gifts I could ever receive.
However, our service must always be grounded in empathy. The families cared for by Tzu Chi often include older people with no one to depend on or those suffering from illness. They truly need a helping hand. When our volunteers clean their homes or provide assistive devices to ease their daily lives, we can imagine the gratitude they feel. Yet, while it is a blessing to be loved and cared for, no one truly wishes to be in a position of need. Those who give therefore must act with great sensitivity, ensuring they do not wound a recipient’s dignity. When we approach others with sincerity, offering service from the heart, they will surely feel the warmth of our love.
Good work requires many hands. The more kindhearted people there are, the greater the peace and harmony in society. A society filled with good people and good deeds is truly blessed. The greatest blessing of all comes when hearts unite in love and action, creating a world free from disaster and filled with peace.
By cherishing every moment and serving with a generous spirit, we create a truly blessed life and help bring about a better world. Huang Xiao-zhe
