September
16 , 2003
Chinese
Version
During
the interview with Mr. Hung-ji Yap, he apologized for his
sore throat. "Sorry, I attended a chanting session for
someone who passed away yesterday." I asked him, "As
a Christian, was it hard for you to chant Amitabha?"
"Having been a Christian
for more than 40 years, I went through a struggle within myself.
But the Amitabha greeting from Tzu Chi brothers and sisters
are so affectionate. I practiced saying Amitabha for a month
until I could say it comfortably!"
Respecting all religions
After the 911 tragedy in the
United States, Tzu Chi had held many prayers for peace. At
these events, Yap saw leaders from other religions also. He
was touched by Master Cheng Yen's great compassion. "Master
Cheng Yen respects all religions. Therefore leaders from other
religions also identify with Tzu Chi."
Yap attended a reconstruction
ceremony of a school that had collapsed in the 1999 Taiwan
earthquake. Tzu Chi helped to rebuild more than fifty schools
as part of Project Hope. During the ceremony, the joint chanting
of Buddha's name gave Yap a deep impression. "Although
I didn't know how to chant, I could feel the respectful atmosphere.
I did not know Buddhism, but my instincts told me that this
is a good religion."
An attitude change
Hua-may Tan, Yap's wife, added,
"My neighbors asked me why I still hang a Christian cross
on my wall while wearing a Tzu Chi uniform. I told them that
both are the same. Although I have joined Tzu Chi, I won't
take the cross down. I still love God, and I will still follow
Master Cheng Yen."
Yap has been diligently volunteering
at a recycling center since last June. "He wasn't like
this before. He used to sleep until the afternoon on his days
off. He even got irritated whenever I waked him up for meals,"
Tan revealed about her husband. "But he is committed
to his responsibilities now!"
Yap has received yet another
gain, "My mother got her son back after I joined Tzu
Chi." Yap used to have a very distant relationship with
his mother. He was even annoyed whenever his mother called
him. This strained relationship continued until he joined
Tzu Chi and heard the teachings of Master Cheng Yen about
filial piety. "My mother is already 70 years old, and
yet I am still treating her this way. I feel very guilty."
Yap reminded himself that as Master says, the two things that
cannot wait in life are to do good deeds, and to be filial
to one's parents.
