By
Jamie Chen
Brother
Liu believes, that with persistent dedication, many more volunteers
will join in the mission to purify the Earth.
When
I first joined the Tzu Chi environmental protection team,
I wasn't used to the strange look on people's faces whenever
I foraged through trashcan after trashcan for recyclable items.
I was speechless when my wife asked: "Why, if you are
a Tzu Chi Honorable Board Member do you pick up trash?"
How did I overcome this obstacle of my embarrassment?
Whenever I was out jogging in my neighborhood, I would pick
up empty bottles and cans at the same time. Whenever people
approached, because of my embarrassment, I put down the recycling
bag and pretended to walk away; I would retrieve my recycling
bag when there was no one around.
One day, while out jogging and doing the
recycling chore, an elderly American man was jogging toward
me; being so focused on my task, I was unaware of his presence,
and by the time I noticed him it was too late to drop my bag.
Just as I was feeling so embarrassed, I heard: "Good
job young man; thank you!" he said. Those simple complimentary
words of encouragement from a total stranger immediately shattered
the obstacle of my self imposed image of 'lack of dignity.'
I was now determined to continue with the task of environmental
protection no matter where it was, and who was watching me.
Early one morning, I drove a truck to a
shopping center and started collecting cardboard boxes from
the dumpster. A homeless woman, dressed in rags, approached
me for a ride. I agreed but asked her to help me load the
boxes onto the truck. As we worked together, I realized she
was a married lady who, after a huge fight with her husband,
had run away from her home.
I then shared the concept of Tzu Chi's great
love with her. It seemed to touch her. When a soul is fragile
and helpless, it longs for tender loving care and gentle words.
I gave her a nice bunch of bananas, my reward from recycling.
She gladly accepted and shared it with me. So, for the rest
of the morning, we ate bananas for breakfast and talked about
the great love of Tzu Chi.
Afterwards, I suggested I drive her home
so that she could be reconciled with her husband. She was
touched, and said: "There must be some reason why God
sent me an angel today." Even to this day, her words
still echo in my mind.
When we arrived at her house, her husband
came to the door. As soon as the door was opened, they ran
to each other and were locked in an emotional, loving embrace.
What a touching moment! How could anyone have ever imagined
that a day of recycling trash could possibly bring such unexpected
rewards? It changed the mind of a homeless man and united
a family.
It was during the Southern California Fire
Relief efforts when I first heard the Tzu Chi volunteers being
referred to as the "Blue Angels." My mind flashed
back to that unfortunate homeless lady who, coincidently,
had referred to me as an angel. Sorrow is a universal emotion;
sadness can be felt by all, rich or poor. It can be brought
on by a material loss, or an aching heart. Love is also a
universal emotion, and all humans deserve to be loved.
One day while chatting with the manager
of the recycling company about Master Cheng Yen's teachings
on environmental protection, he gave me an antique "Eveready"
flashlight. He just held my shoulders and prayed: "Dear
Lord, may this light guide him, his family, his heart, and
brighten the world." Coincidently, Master Cheng Yen says:
"Always be the one who lights people's paths."
Once, while driving a recycling truck, I
saw an old car which was owned by an Hispanic man who was
dying on the road. I stopped my truck and attended to him.
I opened the hood of his car; suddenly sparks of fire came
flying out. "Agua? (Water?)" I asked. "No ai!
(Don't have it!)," he said. I remembered that Sister
Tsai had handed me two bottles of water before I left the
Tzu Chi office, so I poured it on the burning engine, and
successfully avoided a possible explosion.
Since there are not enough environmental
protection volunteers in San Diego, I vow to introduce the
concept of environmental protection to everyone I encounter,
and to encourage people to participate in this meaningful
task.
Now in San Diego, there are about 60 tons of recyclable newspapers
and cardboard boxes that are collected every year. The recycle
resource will actually save about eight hundred 20-year-old
trees.
In my youth, I was a Christian. Since becoming
a Buddhist, I've focused on the task of environmental protection.
By getting involved with the community, I know my actions
will influence people in a positive way.
Cold beverages are consumed heavily at most
construction sites, so these sites are my favorite places
for collecting recyclables. A full 45-gallon bag of empty
bottles and cans is worth five dollars. I usually visit a
construction site once a week, and can collect about two bags
of recyclable products.
Once, a construction worker saw me doing the recycling work
and asked how many kids I had, and if it was for personal
financial reason. I answered, "no, it was for good cause."
I told him these empty cans and bottles can become cash if
we recycle them. Not only will we have a clean environment
to live in, but the money can be used to help the poor. He
totally agreed with me on that, so he came over and helped
me pick up the empty cans and bottles.
The construction worker then asked my religious
belief. I answered Buddhism. I told him I was part of a charitable
organization called Tzu Chi, and explained some of the things
we do; he was touched by our conversation, and said he'd devote
himself to do the environmental protection.
On the weekend, I invite UCSD students,
who are part of Tzu Chi's youth group, to help me transport
the recyclable resources to sell. Primarily I would like the
young people to understand and appreciate the concept of recycling.
It will have then been passed on to the next generations.
Because of the conscientious and dedicated
efforts of the Tzu Chi volunteers, the money gained from selling
recyclable trash has gone from $29 per month at the beginning,
to $600 per month; and that is only from the newly formed
Tzu Chi San Diego Branch. I hope more people will join this
wonderful team to help protect and improve our environment.
