Written by Shih De Zao  

 

  

The early days of the Jing Si Abode witnessed countless stories of compassion and wisdom, inspiring those who came to practice or visit. | Photo courtesy of Fusheng Li | Jing Si Abode, Hualien, Taiwan 

 

"Living in a disciplined, hard-working, and frugal manner to overcome difficulties" is the essence of the Jing Si Traditions. In the early days at the Abode, food was often scarce, but Master Cheng Yen always prioritized the needs of the suffering, whether impoverished or ill. Wherever there was a need, she would go. 

 

Even the smallest creatures were objects of Master Cheng Yen's compassion. A white cat lived at the Abode for many years, watching over the harvested rice. This gentle cat never chased mice, only scared them away with a soft paw. When the cat fell ill, Master Cheng Yen, regardless of financial constraints, ensured it received medical care. After the cat passed away, she gave it a respectful send-off, chanting prayers and arranging for a small coffin to be buried on a hilltop. 

All living beings possess a spirit, choosing to dwell where goodness resides. | Photo by Ming-Tu Wu | Jing Si Abode, Hualien, Taiwan

Over thirty years ago, when the Tzu Chi Honorary Board (those who had donated TWD 1 million to Tzu Chi) was first formed, a group of board members returned to Hualien to reconnect with their roots. Noticing their arms swollen with mosquito bites, Master Cheng Yen expressed her concern and gently reminded them, "The mosquitoes are part of our family; we should care for them and not harm them." 

 

Moved by Master Cheng Yen’s gentle compassion, A-Xia Lin vowed to become a guiding light in others' lives. | Photo by Yu-Ping Chen 

It was during this visit that A-Xia Lin happened to overhear Master Cheng Yen’s tender words. Deeply moved by her compassion, she thought, "If Master Cheng Yen is so kind to cats and mosquitoes, how much more must she care for people." Inspired, she made a vow to "reach out to those in need and be a guiding light in their lives." Today, she has inspired over three hundred people to become Tzu Chi volunteers, making a boundless impact on countless lives. 

  

Inheriting Compassion 

Jing Si Abode is a spiritual training ground of compassion. In the everyday lives of the monastics, small gestures embody the spirit of kindness.  Master Cheng Yen’s first disciple, Master De Ci, lived up to her name as a model of ‘compassion’ for all. Once, while walking back to her room with another monastic, she noticed a plum blossom branch extending beyond the edge of a table. Concerned that someone might get hurt, she gently turned the potted plant to a safer position. 

 

When tending to the vegetables, senior monastics gently remove snails and insects while reciting the Three Refuges, showing respect and compassion for life. | Photo courtesy of Shih De Chen 

I vividly remember when I first began practicing at the Abode, tending the vegetable garden, picking greens, or pulling weeds. Often, when we encountered snails or small creatures, the compassionate senior monastics would gently move them aside, saying, "Little one, let me move you to safety so you don’t get stepped on." They would even recite the Three Refuges softly: "I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha; I have now taken refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha." 

On June 14, 2021, at Jing Si Abode, monastics and staff of Tzu Chi Foundation packed Jing Si soy milk powder to be sent to vaccination centers as part of COVID-19 relief efforts. Master De Han (left) checks the quantities with a staff. | Photo by Jia-Yun Liu

The powdering room at the Abode is where we grind grains and produce related products. Static electricity often builds up in the grinding and powdering areas. One day, Master De Han told a staffer, "Let me handle the powdering!" Despite enduring the electric shocks from static, Master De Han always thought of others first. 

This legacy of compassion is evident in every corner of the Abode, where acts of kindness and thoughts of compassion are passed down from generation to generation. 

Note: The Honorary Board was established on January 21, 1987, at the Jing Si Abode in Hualien, where the first meeting was also held.