Can love be weighed? Love may be intangible, but a scale can measure the weight of rice banks. Through the practice of the Rice Bank, Tzu Chi hopes to inspire more people to give and make the world a better place.

Tzu Chi volunteers from Singapore and Malaysia are actively promoting this concept in Lumbini, Nepal. At regular intervals, people bring their rice banks to donate the content to the Tzu Chi office in Lumbini.

Weight of Love

On February 18th, volunteers set up a venue for the donation of the rice banks. Even before it was set up, many people had already brought their rice banks. After weighing the rice, the volunteers let everyone pour it into a rice basket. In 1967, Tzu Chi started this spirit of saving small amounts of money for a good cause during the Bamboo Bank Era. It has now taken root in Lumbini, in a new form.

Love may be intangible, but the scale can measure the weight of rice banks. With each grain of rice filling the basket, the seeds of kindness have bloomed into flowers of love in this town that is the birthplace of the Buddha.

After volunteers weighed the rice, Suwa (left) pours it into the rice basket. (Image from Da Ai TV; 2023) 

Villager Suwa said: "It's okay for our lives to be a little difficult, but we should have a kind heart. We can save a little bit while having our meals, and use the savings to help many people. I also encourage my friends to do the same."

Pranita Sharma, principal of a kindergarten, said: "I have 10 students participating in the rice bank event, and they told me that they feel very happy to save love rice this way every day because this rice can help poor people."

Malaysian Tzu Chi volunteer Hong Xue-hong said happily: "Today, 26 residents brought in their love rice banks, totaling 75 kilograms."

Pranita Sharma, principal of a kindergarten, said that her students felt very happy to save love rice to help poor people. (Image from Da Ai TV; 2023) 

Rich Inner Wealth

Dhundup Lama, cousin of Venerable Bhikkhu Maitri, said: "It's not just the wealthy who have the ability to give. Anyone can donate, and that's what we learned today. We are happy and grateful to Tzu Chi for giving us the opportunity to contribute a little bit."

Despite living in poverty, the residents of Lumbini possess rich inner wealth and a kind heart, as demonstrated by their willingness to participate in this charitable activity.

A Jing Si Aphorism says: “ Giving is not a privilege of the wealthy, but rather the participation of those who have a kind heart.” As it suggests, giving is not limited to the wealthy, but is a reflection of one's heart. The act of giving has a ripple effect, spreading love and kindness to those in need.

Join Tzu Chi. Let us make the world a better place.

Before the venue was set up, many people had already brought their rice banks. (Image from Da Ai TV; 2023)

Story by Unish Khyaju, Jixiang, and Hong De-qian from Nepal