05/01/2003
Making
Good Vows as a Prayer for Others
Today's
society needs to have faith so we can have a sense of
peace and harmony. This strength will bring harmony to
prevent the spread of the SARS epidemic.
Effective
disease prevention starts with good personal hygiene as
well as a calm mind.
Excessive worrying will lead to Generalized
Anxiety Disorder. Other
than physical prevention, mental serenity is even more
important. We must trust the experts, follow their
instructions and care for and support those who are
affected by SARS.
Do
not be frightened by the word "quarantine".
This is society's safety line.
We should feel safer upon hearing this word
because this means that we, our families and everyone
else, are under protection.
"Quarantine" should be faced with
gratitude and support.
I
am very grateful to all Tzu Chi members who are
following my call for vegetarianism and observing the
precept of no killing. At a time like this, a vegetarian
diet is the cleanest and the safest food source for our
bodies. Also,
we must uphold our precepts by speaking kind words,
engaging in kind actions, and making good vows.
Let us sincerely practice the three kindnesses
with our bodies, minds, and voices.
During
the SARS epidemic, I saw genuine compassion and selfless
love from the people in Taiwan.
People's selfless contributions are truly a
stabilizing force for our society. Beginning May 1st,
the staff and faculty at Tzu Chi schools and hospitals
in Dalin and Hualien will be adapting to a vegetarian
diet. Tzu
Chi people from all over the world are participating as
well. Even
our hospital construction workers in Kao-shung are
joining the vegetarian movement.
All of these people who follow my call to
vegetarianism are not doing it for themselves, but they
are doing it with uttermost sincerity to pray for the
SARS patients. This
is truly touching.
We
should not become too panicked by the disease, because
mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, will
turn society into an unimaginable state. We must all
stay calm. As
long as we are sincere and vigilant, we can all work
together and provide loving support to the people on the
frontlines. The action of love and unity will not only
stabilize people's minds, but also help contain this
epidemic.
