In Bodh Gaya, the sacred land where the Buddha attained enlightenment, a group of volunteers from Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore have come not only to serve, but to bear witness. Through their cameras and pens, they capture the raw realities and quiet hopes of those living in hardship, as well as their own journeys of transformation.

A First Encounter with Poverty: Hui-Ju Chung’s Awakening

For Hui-Ju Chung (鍾繐如), a volunteer from Miaoli, Taiwan, her first trip to India was filled with anticipation and curiosity. Yet nothing could have prepared her for the scenes she encountered in the villages surrounding Bodh Gaya. She saw families living in grass huts and low, thatched houses, where a bed was nothing more than a frame of woven rope. When the rains came, blankets and clothes had to be stuffed under the bed to keep them dry.

The starkness of this poverty was unlike anything she had seen before. “I realized what true poverty means,” she reflected. “It made me cherish what I have and reminded me to be frugal and grateful.” Despite language barriers and technical challenges, Chung was determined to document these realities. “Since I’m already here, how could I not do my best to record these moments and bring them back for others to see?” she said. With a spirit she called “all-in,” she worked tirelessly to edit and upload news clips, hoping to let those back home feel the lives and struggles of people here.

Behind the Lens: Cheng Hsinyi’s Quiet Compassion

One of the most moving moments for the volunteers took place at Vulture Peak, a site revered as the place where the Buddha delivered the Lotus Sutra. On the anniversary of Tzu Chi’s founding, volunteers from Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore gathered at this historic mountain to commemorate the occasion with a special ceremony. They recited the Sutra of Infinite Meanings and conducted a walking meditation, retracing the steps of ancient practitioners.

The event was not only a spiritual milestone but also a technical challenge. To share the experience with those unable to attend in person, the volunteers organized a live broadcast. Hsin-Yi Cheng (鄭信義) took on the role of photographer, capturing the solemnity and emotion of the gathering, while Jui-Hsin Lo (羅瑞鑫) managed the live broadcast, ensuring that the prayers and chants could be heard by audiences around the world.

For Cheng, the experience was both exhausting and uplifting. Despite the physical demands of climbing the mountain and the pressure of capturing every important moment, he found himself deeply moved by the unity and sincerity of those present. “Standing where the Buddha once taught, surrounded by people who have come so far to listen and learn, I felt a sense of connection that words can hardly describe,” he shared.

Overcoming Barriers: The Power of Teamwork

Language and cultural barriers are a daily challenge for the volunteers, most of whom do not speak English or Hindi. Editing video footage and matching translations to the right moments is painstaking work, often requiring the help of local volunteers like Amar Kumar. “We’ve been editing videos for twenty years, so we know what to look for,” said Hui-Ju Chung (鍾繐如). “But when you can’t understand the language, it’s easy to get lost. That’s when you really need patience and help from others.”

The volunteers’ willingness to rely on each other and on local friends is what makes their work possible. Whether it’s a local volunteer stepping in to translate or a teammate quietly correcting a written report, each act of support is a reminder that compassion is a shared journey.

A Promise to Return

For many, the experience in Bodh Gaya is life-changing. The hardships they witness are real, but so is the resilience and warmth of the people they meet. As the volunteers prepare to leave, they carry with them not just photographs and reports, but a renewed sense of purpose—and a promise to return.

Their stories, captured in words and images, are more than records. They are bridges, connecting distant hearts and reminding us all of the enduring power of compassion.

Written by: Jing-Jun Lin (林靜君), Hsiu-Lien Chu (朱秀蓮)