Dear Tzu Chi Sisters and Brothers: Amitabha! Over the eons of human existence, the accumulation of negative karma has led to severe consequences. Wars and diseases are the culmination of our collective karma. This is demonstrated by the man-made catastrophes that rage around the world. Just as the war in Iraq has begun to wane, the SARS epidemic enters upon the stage. All the natural and man-made disasters occurring in this new century are deeply troubling. There is an old Chinese saying, "For thousands of years, the food we put in our bowl has been screaming a sea of resentment. If you want to know the causes of war in this world, you need only to listen to the shrieks from the slaughterhouse.” Master Cheng Yen spoke with concern about the SARS epidemic. "My heart aches more now than after September 21, when the earthquake jarred the very foundation of Taiwan!” This epidemic brings with it a greater sense of powerlessness, and casts a shadow of even more pain and sadness. We face a fearsome epidemic, and there is so little we can do. SARS is silent, odorless, shapeless, and colorless. It lurks where people gather, and spreads with every touch. It spreads like the wind, and will be hard to contain. “It is better to be caring than to be worried.” The Master keeps reminding us to turn our care into love and sincere prayer. With great love and respect for all beings, we can transform negative karma into positive affinity, and disaster into peace and harmony. We must look upon our past behavior with an eye toward change. Refrain from eating meat, speak only kind words, practice kind deeds, and commit to compassionate vows. By purifying our actions, speech, and thoughts, we can eradicate the three poisons of greed, contentiousness, and ignorance. Let us have compassion and kindness toward all living beings. It is gratifying that Tzu Chi volunteers and staff share the Master's outlook. Everyone has heeded her call for self-reflection, repentance, and faith. An expression of our commitment begins with our own actions. When our actions reflect our love for the Master, we can lead our family and community to adopt a vegetarian diet. Such wise conduct ensures our health and avoids sickness. This practice also demonstrates how we cherish others. Being vegetarian further cultivates a compassionate heart and manifests respect for life. May is the month of gratefulness. It is a time to reflect on our Master. Although not all Tzu Chi volunteers can be with the Master, we sincerely hope they can all turn their grateful thoughts of the Master into action. Now is the time for all Tzu Chi volunteers to vow to continue the "Spread the Seeds of Love" movement, and lead our families and communities in making May a vegetarian month every year. If we can maintain a long-term commitment to vegetarianism, our pure minds will converge into a stream of unconditional love that will embrace the whole world. With our sincere and serene prayers, society will become harmonious, and the world will be free of disasters. May everyone live in health, peace, and contentment. Tzu Chi Department of Religious Affairs |
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