Dear Tzu Chi Bodhisattvas, 

I am very grateful! “Gratitude” is the most genuine, wonderful, and  beautiful state of mind. It is like a gentle breeze and the warm sun  that brings vitality and hope to everyone’s heart and the world. Tzu  Chi has been established for fifty-eight years now. Every day, every  minute, and every second, I am filled with gratitude. I am grateful to  the Buddha, our parents, all sentient beings, and all the elements, such  as wind, rain, and earth. 

In May, across forty-five countries and regions around the globe, nearly  200,000 people held ceremonies to celebrate the three occasions of  the Buddha’s Birthday, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day in one. I am  sincerely grateful to the elders, leaders, and representatives from  different temples and religions. I am grateful to Tzu Chi volunteers who  worked in concert with unity, and mindfully dedicated themselves to  the events. I am especially grateful to those in the general public who  joyously and reverently participated. 

This year, with extraordinary cause and conditions, we connected  virtually with Vulture Peak, truly bringing us back to the platform  on which the Buddha originally gave teachings. At Lumbini, where  the Buddha was born, and Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained  Buddhahood, grand Buddha Day ceremonies were held with more than  3,000 people in attendance. I feel infinitely grateful for the opportunity  for Tzu Chi to return to the Buddha’s hometown. 

The Global Buddha Day ceremony also incorporated the chanting of  the Chapter on Virtues from the Sutra of Infinite Meanings. To the  harmonious and wondrous sounds of the chanting, people participated  in walking meditation and circled the Buddha. With utmost reverence  and sincerity, participants walked in unison, respectfully chanted, and  sincerely prayed. The global Buddha Day ceremonies kicked off from  Hualien Jing Si Hall, and in the evening, at the Chiang Kai-shek memorial  Hall in Taipei, over 500 Dharma masters led the assembly to chant in  unison. How wondrous and exceptional it was! Everyone appeared so  dignified and resolute with their reverence and unity. The wondrous  voice and action of Living Bodhisattvas in this world can reach the  hearts of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. 

However, peace and auspiciousness is not something that we can  attain by looking beyond ourselves; everyone must come together  with their virtuous thoughts and good deeds, and only then can we  eliminate disasters. We must always be vigilant and reverent. We  must remind ourselves that the world is impermanent, and the land  is perilously fragile. In the face of nature, humans are so insignificant.  When everyone is willing to take on big challenges despite their own  limited abilities it is like the analogy of small ants climbing Mount  Sumeru. By pooling everyone’s strength, we can unite our virtuous  thoughts, exercise great love, create blessings, and do good deeds. 

It has been a month since the earthquake in Hualien. Engineers and  construction professionals from all over Taiwan have gathered in  Hualien to rebuild the homes of those affected by the disaster. It was as  if I was witnessing Bodhisattvas emerging from the ground! Moreover,  people sent love from around the world, from as far as Haiti in Central  America, and Mozambique and Zimbabwe in Africa. As people pooled  together their love, the kind thoughts created a resonance, and help  came to Hualien from all directions. The truth, goodness, and beauty of  the world are embodied in the spirit of gratitude, and compassionate  acts of kindness. 

Working “for Buddha’s teachings, for sentient beings” is a teaching  from my teacher and also what I have dedicated my entire life to. I am  grateful to all Bodhisattvas who gather the power of love and walk on  this Bodhisattva path together. It is my hope that all Tzu Chi volunteers  can become Living Bodhisattvas in this world and seize the affinities  to recruit more Bodhisattvas. Let us embody the spirit of fireflies and  together light up the dark corners of the world with love and kindness.  Let us protect the Earth and all sentient beings. May all suffering  sentient beings be relieved from their suffering, and may the Buddha  Dharma forever radiate in the world. 

With utmost sincerity, I send everyone my well-wishes. May your days  be filled with blessings, may you be in constant Dharma joy, may you  cultivate both blessings and wisdom. 

Shih Cheng Yen 

Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation