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Everyone is a sutra to learn fromIn life, there are many forms of suffering. Some people suffer from poverty or disasters, while others suffer as a result of their own illusions and deluded thinking. If someone is willing to reach out to help these people, however, they not only can have a better life but can even go on to help others. In this way, they can inspire even more people, and more people’s hearts will be purified.
A perfect example of this phenomenon is the story of Johny, a Tzu Chi volunteer in Indonesia. Although his family was well-off, he became addicted to gambling. He lost almost everything he owned as a result. At his lowest point, he had only 200,000 rupiahs (US$20) in his bank account. His gambling addiction created a host of other problems as well. He lost his temper easily with his wife and children, and they tried their best to just stay away from him.
One day he happened to see a drama on Tzu Chi’s Da Ai TV. The program was about the wife of a school principal in Taiwan. She too led a very good life, but like Johny she was addicted to gambling. She was so addicted that she refused to leave the mahjong table even when she was told that her house was on fire. After she joined Tzu Chi and started to visit impoverished care recipients, she finally realized how blessed she was. This gave her the impetus and strength to quit gambling for good.
The story of the principal’s wife struck a chord in Johny. He reflected on his past actions and made up his mind to quit gambling. In May 2008 he began going with Tzu Chi volunteers to the homes of care recipients. One of the people they visited, Budianto, aged 67, inspired Johny to turn his life around.
Five years ago, a mole fell off Budianto’s face, leaving a tiny wound behind. He applied various ointments to the sore, but it never healed. In fact, it grew bigger and bigger. Eventually, he had to go to a hospital to seek treatment. The doctor said it was his diabetes that made healing so difficult. Despite the doctor’s treatment, Budianto’s condition persisted; his wound became worse and began to bleed, and the pain only increased. His nose, cheeks, and lips festered so badly that his gums were exposed. Because of his appearance, he dared not venture out in public. Eventually, he was referred to Tzu Chi for help.
Johny was shocked to see Budianto’s face when he first visited him. He and other volunteers took the poor man to a Tzu Chi clinic in a Tzu Chi Great Love Village for a checkup. The doctor at the clinic recommended that Budianto have a more thorough checkup at a large hospital, so Johny and the others accompanied him to Cipto Mangunkusumo Central Hospital in Jakarta. There, Budianto was diagnosed with cancer.
At one point, Budianto refused to go back to the hospital for further treatment. However, with the Tzu Chi volunteers’ sincere concern and continued encouragement, he later decided to return and continue with his cancer treatments. Johny often kept him company during these treatments. Even though Budianto’s wounds smelled, Johny didn’t mind a bit. In fact, he learned to be grateful for having good health. Furthermore, he vowed to make the most of himself to do good and help others. He said that the joy he gained from helping people was even greater than winning money at gambling.
It is not easy to wake up from delusion and turn over a new leaf. In Johny’s case, it was the true-life dramas on Da Ai TV that first awakened the goodness in his heart. Then he began to get involved in volunteer work. Through helping people in need, he witnessed the suffering that others went through. These experiences transformed him and inspired him to dedicate himself to helping others. In this process, while the people in need receive help, in helping, his eyes are opened and he grows spiritually. The people in need provide him with an opportunity to nurture his wisdom-life. Thus, instead of there being a “giver” and “receiver,” both receive and are helping one another.
All around us, every person is a living sutra, so there are living sutras everywhere for us to learn. It doesn’t matter if a person is rich or poor, how high or low he is on the social ladder, or what his nationality or race is. When we mindfully enter into others’ lives and hear their life stories, we will find precious essays on the truths of life. Therefore, thanks to them, our eyes are opened to many of life’s truths. That is why when Tzu Chi volunteers help others, they always feel sincere gratitude to those they help.
Da Ai TV is like a stream of pure water that can cleanse people’s hearts and minds. The more people that come in contact with Da Ai TV, the greater the chance that more people will open their eyes to life’s truths and purify their hearts. To enable such a cleansing stream to never stop flowing, we must go to the source—that is, to discover and tap into the wellspring of purity within each person’s heart. As more wellsprings are tapped into, more water will flow forth. Only when there is an abundance of water flowing forth will it be possible to cleanse the hearts of all, around the globe.