| Beyond
retirement: A life-long Tzu Cheng member |
 |
Translated by Weishiong Chong
April 16, 2002
Chinese
Version
The most important factor in being a dharma
supporter is one's mind.
Physical strength, professionalism, and age are not essential
factors.
Many retired gentlemen, including some who are illiterate, are
still able to support the Tzu Chi dharma well and persistently.
Elderly wisdom - Jiang A Lin
Jiang A Lin of New York has a full head of
white hair. To avoid aching in his legs during lectures, he
alternates between sitting cross-legged and sitting in a chair.
If he forgets his student handbook, he rushes back to his quarters
to retrieve it and then rejoins the group. It is hard to believe
that sharp, sprightly Jiang is 82 years old. He is one of the
oldest students in the Tzu Cheng Spirit Seminar.
When he immigrated to New York 22 years ago,
he was already 62 years old. When he returned to Taiwan for
a vacation 11 years ago, he took part in a Tzu Chi fundraising
sale at a friend's invitation. When he bought rice noodles for
the sale, the vendor donated some extra upon finding out that
the noodles were for a Tzu Chi fundraising sale. Tzu Chi's ability
to induce kindness in people left a very profound impression
on Jiang.
When he returned to New York, his daughter
found contact information for the New York Tzu Chi office in
the newspaper. Since then, Jiang has actively participated in
Tzu Chi, taking part in goodwill visits, street sweeping, housekeeping
at the Tzu Chi office, and setting Tzu Chi publications. He
is now an experienced full-time Tzu Cheng member and a commissioner.
When the number of street sweeping volunteers dwindled, Jiang
persisted. Even though he is more than 80 years old, he never
fails to fulfill his Tzu Cheng duties at major events.
Jiang's parents died of illnesses when he
was little. After only a year of schooling, he dropped out and
tended cattle for a living. He moved around frequently, taking
temporary shelter at relatives' homes. Being illiterate, he
was usually reticent and did his chores silently. Though he
was shy, he drummed up his courage and took part in several
fundraising campaigns. After the September 11 tragedy, he helped
transport badly needed ice water to rescue workers at Ground
Zero.
Jiang said that taking part in Tzu Chi allows
him to live a life free of regret. He also feels very blessed
that his wife, daughter, and grandchildren are also Tzu Chi
volunteers. During the landscaping segment of Project Hope,
in which Tzu Chi rebuilt schools damaged by a major earthquake
in Taiwan, he quietly seeded the grass and helped carry pavement
blocks that weighed 3 kilograms each. His is an inspiring manifestation
of the Tzu Cheng spirit.
