Jing Si Aphorisms 靜思語

Let us not be led by external influences but be the master of our mind. This is Samadhi, the power of concetration. 

- by Master Cheng Yen

Clean Up Australia Day 1st March, 9:00 am

When? 

Sunday, 1st March, 2009 at 9:00 am

Where? 

Kurrawa Surf Club, Broadbeach (meet near the carpark) 

What? 

Every year, from Perth to Penrith, hundreds of thousands of Australians get stuck in and clean up their local environment by collecting and removing rubbish on Clean Up Australia Day. (Cleanup.org.au)

Gold Coast Tzu Chi and Tzu Ching fully support the campaign to clean up Australia, and we welcome all members of the public to come join us at our Broadbeach clean up site on Sunday! 

Remember to wear a hat, put on some sunscreen, and we will provide gloves and clean-up bags. 

Spring Prayer Ceremony 祈福晚會

Saturday night 21st February was the Spring Prayer Ceremony. Almost 200 people attended the event. 

Li-Mei SG hosted the program, and Gold Coast Tzu Chi Chief Frank Wen gave a short speech to welcome the guests, followed by a sign language song by the Sisters: 'Following Your Footsteps'. Then there was a 20 minute video of Tzu Chi's worldwide relief efforts from 2008. Followed by a small play, 'No Smoking' performed by the Gold Coast Tzu Ching, about one Tzu Chi member's efforts to quit smoking after being inspired by Master Cheng Yen. Then the Brothers performed a short sign language song, 'You and I on the Tzu Chi Path'. 

The focus of the evening was on the recent natural disasters that have hit Australia, particularly the floods in Northern Queensland and the Victorian bushfires. Julia Wu then gave a speech on 'The Changing Colours of Paradise', about how we should 'reduce our greed to zero' and lead more simple lives. "It is our responsibility," she urged, "to have compassion for all beings." 

The evening concluded with a sign language song by the Gold Coast Tzu Ching, 'The First Light of Dawn', and then handing out of the red packets from Master Cheng Yen, and then lighting candles and prayer. 

It was wonderful, then, to see many new faces then offer to help with clean-up and tidying. Shows that many were inspired by the program. 

- Nicole Chiu 

'The Changing Colours of Paradise' by Julia Wu

(Photo from Getty Images via Daylife)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. 

I think everyone here already know about the bushfires in Victoria. I think everyone’s hearts are aching right now for them. Because this is such a disaster in Australia and world history. 

Did you know that the speed of the fire spreading was faster than a bullet train? 

I always thought that Australia was Paradise. Free of natural disasters. But now there is also floods in Queensland and fires in Victoria. 

Looks like everyone who came here tonight is truly fortunate to be able to be here attending our event. We must be very grateful for our current state of peacefulness. When we are lucky enough to enjoy having all our family together, we must remember Master’s teaching: “Compassion to all human beings, as if they are our own family. No matter their race or religion.”

A few days ago, our Chief, Frank Wen, discussed with Melbourne Tzu Chi about the Victorian bushfires and decided that Gold Coast Tzu Chi will donate $50,000 to the relief fund. But this is just a vow, only a part of the help needed. What is most needed now is temporary housing. 

Everyone during this financial crisis, everyone must further understand Master’s teaching of reducing our greed to give out more generously. If we all just cut down on extravagant meals, then what is left is enough food and great love for everyone. When I think about it, ever since I immigrated to Australia, I have had such a peaceful life. I now want to make sure that I follow Master’s teachings everyday. 

By living a simple life without extravagance, without greed; lightly and gradually, I will be able to accumulate more wealth by simply saving a little bit each day, and not splurging on things that are unnecessary. 

Whenever there is a disaster I want to do my best to help the victims to be rid of their suffering and gain happiness. 

This is my vow, which I hope to inspire in everyone. Also, I humbly ask everyone, come together to support every kindness project of Tzu Chi Foundation. Thank you. 

- 2009 Spring Prayer Ceremony

The First Light of Dawn 第一道曙光

我相信生命有一種力量

不放棄的心勇敢飛翔

迎著風就飛的更遠

頂著烈日更顯堅強

我看見未來的光芒

我會守護在你的身旁

傾聽你的歡喜與悲傷

點亮每顆沉睡的星星

抬起頭與你分享

我會陪著你一起成長

給你一個依靠的肩膀

站在太陽昇起的地方

迎接第一道曙光

I believe that there is a power in life.
Do not give up the heart, be brave to fly.
With the wind, we will fly farther.
With the harsh sun, we will be stronger.

I see the beautiful light of the future.
I will always be here by your side.
Listen to your happiness and worries.
Light up every single star in sky.
Raise my head and share with you

I will be by your side to grow together
Give you a shoulder to lean on
Stand in the place where the sun rises
Receive the beauty of the first light of dawn.

Tzu Ching Play 'No Smoking'

Tony: Did you know? There is a worldwide financial crisis?

Yvonne: Of course. Just ask your stock broker if there has been any earnings.

Tony: Luckily we have a business that won’t go broke. This is the Tzu Chi organisation! And it’s worth will only continue increasing, and you’ll never get fired.

Yvonne: That’s so true. No wonder so many couples and families come to Tzu Chi. And we have a common interest, so everybody gets along.

            Recently there was a member who was really touched by Master’s teaching, which made him finally quit from 30 years of smoking. Now let’s have a look at his story.

Pohan & Poya: Hey Shirley! It’s your turn to do the bread collection today!

Shirley: Oh yeah! Hey, Poya, what kind of boys are you interested in?

Poya: Um, let me think about it. I like the type that’s really kind, considerate and doesn’t smoke.

Shirley: Oh really? I think the type of guys who smoke look very cool!

Poya: No way! I really don’t like smoke.

Shirley: Sounds like you REALLY don’t like smoke.

Poya: Yes, before I was born, my Dad was a smoker. He was so addicted he refused to put in the effort to quit. He always had an excuse.

Shirley: Oh, that’s too bad.

Pohan: Yeah! Always with the excuses. Before we moved to Australia, our house in Taiwan was not like the house we have here. It was small and he always hid under the stairs to smoke but we could always smell it.

Shirley: Sounds like your Dad is really addicted!

Poya: That’s true! He was like the type that couldn’t live without smoke. Once our workers from Taiwan came to visit and he asked them to bring 20 cartons of cigarettes. Or when friends came to visit us, he would also ask them to bring cartons of cigarettes. Our house was like a cigarette factory!

Shirley: Oh really! So does your Dad still smoke?

Pohan: Oh, he doesn’t anymore. Thanks to our Mum who made him quit.

Shirley: Your Mum must be really amazing. How did she make him quit?

Poya: Well, my Dad’s bad habit caused many problems. Like once my brother went to school and the teacher thought he smoked. But it was a misunderstanding because he just reaked of my Dad’s second-hand smoke! What’s worse is, everytime we were in public places, my Dad would cough so loudly, it was very embarassing.

Pohan: Yeah, I really don’t like smoke either. Second-hand smoke is not only bad for humans as a risk of getting cancer, but it’s also really bad for the environment.

            These days lots of teenagers the same age or even younger than me are always smoking and they think it’s cool. But when I see them, every breath they are inhaling just makes me think about the damage it will cause to their lungs. There is nothing cool about smoking.

Shirley: Yeah. Okay, I agree. So how did your Dad quit? Wouldn’t it have been really hard?

Poya: Yeah, my Mum suddenly had an idea. She borrowed the tapes of Master’s teachings and some real stories of other Tzu Chi members. My Dad was really heartened by it. Especially this one quote from Master saying, “How can someone five feet tall be so easily controlled by something two inches high?” It made my Dad feel very ashamed.

Pohan: Actually my Dad was really reluctant to join my Mum with her Tzu Chi commitments before. Now he is really devoted and last year he became an official member.

Shirley: Wow, congratulations. So does your Mum still go to the nursing home?

Poya: Yeah, of course! My mum’s motto is: Being able to help others is a sign of blessings. It means that I healthy, my family is peaceful, and my children are obedient.

Shirley: Oh, your Mum is right. You guys are really a Tzu Chi family that leads by action!

Pohan: Aww, so-so. Hey, the bakery is closing. Let’s go collect!