September
16, 2003
Chinese
Version
ZHONG-HE, Taiwan -- Every evening
around 7:30, volunteers will call the Zhong-He Environmental
Protection Station (EPS) to check if anyone is there so that
they too can come help sort recyclables. These volunteers
have been making time after work or house chores to help at
the station. During these past three years, I have been deeply
touched by the joyful ways of the hardworking Old Bodhisattvas
(a respectful name commonly used in Tzu Chi to refer to elderly
volunteers). I have witnessed how these residents diligently
work together to protect the environment.
Catch of the day
These volunteers don't focus on things like
problems with in-laws or children rebelling -- things which
often bother other people. Instead, they ask "What did
we get today?" Their life revolves around this.
These Old Bodhisattvas begin collecting
recyclables before dawn. They get so excited when they see
plastic bottles in the road that they forget to watch out
for oncoming traffic, despite Dharma Master Cheng Yen's repeated
safety warnings! Such enthusiasm to protect the environment!
An Old Bodhisattva once shared with me,
"Yesterday I found a huge cardboard box once used for
a refrigerator. I was so excited that I was humming to myself
the entire way back to the station." It must have been
a big catch!
Wisdom through volunteering
My friends at the EPS all have exhausting
jobs but we always look forward to meeting up at the station
afterwards. To us, volunteering at the EPS is like a group
retreat and we use the station as a place to cultivate. Because
of financial pressure, one volunteer works during the day
as a janitor and takes a part-time job working for at a religious
supply store in the evenings. Although she has little spare
time left during her day, she will still come to help at the
station between jobs and stay until the station closes. In
the past few years, she has overcome her paranoia of cancer
by understanding the impermanent nature of life, as all will
age, grow old and pass on. What is most valuable is what one
does in the present. Now, she is able to face life with a
positive attitude.
Volunteering is the best form of rest
Dharma Master Cheng Yen says the best way
to take a rest when you get tired of working is to switch
to another task or take on a different perspective while doing
the same task. Taking a break does not necessarily mean to
staying home and doing nothing or staying in bed. Our style
of "rest" helps us attain self-realization -- when
we witness what was once trash transformed through our efforts
into sellable commodities, which become charity funds that
are applied to various meaningful community projects.
The same ol' place is one of laughter
Time flies as we converse and share
laughter. Most of us don't want to stop for the day. But it
is late so we clean up our beloved station and double-check
if everything is done right. We tell each other, "See
you tomorrow night at the same ol' place!" Stepping into
the moonlight and feeling a sense of joy and accomplishment,
we head home and remind each other, "See you tomorrow
night!"
