I am a girl born in a tradition
and culture bounded family in India, who grew up hearing lots of stories,
morals, humane way of living and showing a humble attitude towards life from my
grandparents. I have heard, read, came across and discussed many of Master Chen
Yen’s sayings, but this particular saying sunk deep into my mind. The reason I
relate to it strongly is because of the people I came across in my life.
Bodhisattvas are not the wooden or clay statues in temples that we
worship, but people who reach out to others in their time of need.
-Dharma Master
Cheng Yen
Being born and raised in a
religious community I have seen love and faith in God’s and holy temples rather
towards neighbor human beings and living things. After reading this quote there
was a pinch of guilty in my conscious. This put me in my place and made me
wonder how far I was immersed in doing deeds out of fear towards angering Gods
rather than reaching out to help fellow human with compassion. I was so full of
believing in karma for all the good deeds that I did, rather than handing out
help without expecting anything in return.
Being brought up in the
generation of science and advanced technologies it always feels like we are in
a race, running to gain one after another trophy. Even though it gives a sense
of achievement, nothing was good enough for us to stop and realize how precious
this life is! Until we feel the actual pleasure of giving something back rather
being on the selfish receiving side for once. It is a surprisingly wondrous
feeling to help others even when you don’t have any. All that we need is a
simple act of kindness.
I was fortunate enough to
experience Buddhism and its life cleansing Dharma’s back in my country, but I
felt it is in Tzu Chi I came to know the true meaning of it. Rather than
praying, articulating ancient rituals it feels much lighter in the heart to
help a random stranger in a day. A random and genuine act of kindness to put a
smile on someone’s face gave me strength and confidence. I always get brighten
up driftlessly even when feeling low by a “Ni Hao” from the campus volunteers
who are always cheered up, their sunny smile, showing restless energy and
unconditional love towards others. This is when I realized you don’t need
millions and billions of money to help someone all it takes is a warm smile, a
hug, a true heart, and patience to listen in the time of need.
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