"It feels wonderful to have food to eat. Thank you for your generosity; I am truly grateful!" said Gaina Manjhi, his weather-beaten face lit up with a smile.
Bodh Gaya, India, the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment, has become a place for Tzu Chi volunteers to repay their gratitude to the Buddha. In addition to their efforts in Nepal, they ventured into the impoverished villages surrounding Bodh Gaya, seeking out suffering and hardship. It was during this mission that they encountered Gaina Manjhi in the Bakraur Village; an outcast, he had spent his life surviving through begging in the oppressive caste system of India. The compassion of the volunteers changed his life.
Live Alone
On the morning of May 24, 2023, Bodh Gaya was bustling with energy. Cars streamed by, and crowds of people filled the streets. Market stalls lined the roads, offering a variety of fruits and vegetables; the calls of the vendors awoke the entire city. Malaysian volunteer Loh Ya Jin Luo (羅雅珍) joined her companions as they purchased fresh produce from the vendors and stocked up on daily necessities from a grocery store. They then proceeded to visit the home of Gaina Manjhi, an elderly man living alone and struggling to make ends meet.
"In India, those belonging to the lower castes can only engage in certain occupations such as scavenging, cleaning, driving, laboring, carpentry, or begging," Loh Ya Jin Luo explained, her voice filled with sorrow. Even today, the Indian society has not completely shaken off the shackles of this unequal caste system.
Coupled with a poor and underdeveloped economy in rural India, employment opportunities are few. The government lacks comprehensive welfare policies; with a large population of elderly and children, many resorts to begging to earn a meager income and their daily meals. Therefore, it is common to see beggars gather at tourist spots in Bodh Gaya, seeking alms from passing visitors.
"When I encountered him, I felt heartbroken. He was being mistreated by others, and he told me that he needed help," recounted Rajesh, a local resident, sharing the poignant story with the volunteers. This prompted him to contact Vivek Kumar, the Tzu Chi volunteer in India, who promptly extended a helping hand.
Thus Gaina Manjhi, a destitute and abandoned elderly man, became a care recipient of Tzu Chi. Vivek Kumar and the Malaysian volunteers made regular visits, providing him with essential supplies to ensure he would no longer go hungry.
No More Begging
"Grandfather, do you like these?" Loh Ya Jin asked, carrying bags filled with fresh vegetables, as they walked along the dusty roads, bypassing winding paths to reach Gaina Manjhi's humble brick house. The elderly man was already waiting at the doorstep, eager to receive them. The volunteers handed their offerings of fresh and abundant produce, such as large heads of cauliflower, elongated bottle gourds, and vibrant green cabbage, placing them all into the old man's hands. This act of care and concern, like that of family, brought a smile to Gaina Manjhi's face.
"Grandfather, what did you do to sustain yourself in the past?" Loh Yajin casually inquired. Gaina Manjhi rose to his feet and led everyone to the nearby Shepherd Girl Temple, a temple commemorating the offering of milk porridge by a shepherd girl to the Buddha. This renowned tourist attraction is usually teeming with visitors.
"I used to sit under that Indian coral tree in the temple and beg from the tourists," explained Gaina Manjhi. He demonstrated by squatting down and holding his hands up, just as he used to do amidst a group of elderly people and children. He would spend seven to eight hours a day begging; on good days, he could earn between 150 to 200 rupees.
"Tzu Chi is helping you now, so you don't need to beg anymore, okay?" Looking at the gentle-hearted elderly man with silvery hair, Loh Ya Jin could not help but feel sympathy. She delicately expressed the idea of being a person who extends a helping hand rather than one who begs for assistance. Gaina Manjhi listened intently and immediately agreed with the volunteer's request to stop begging.
His willingness to change his difficult past and embrace a virtuous path deeply impressed the volunteers. Touched by his sincere heart, Loh Ya Jin said: "We feel that this elderly man has a pure heart, so we invited him to participate in some Tzu Chi activities." Gaina Manjhi agreed, and thus a seed of goodness was quietly sown.
The volunteers brought posters with Jing Si Aphorisms. One read:
"What kind of face is the most beautiful? The one adorned with a smile."
Vivek Kumar patiently read out the Jing Si Aphorism to Gaina Manjhi. This heartwarming interaction brought a radiant smile to the old man's face. He raised his hands high above his head, forming a loving gesture as a sign of gratitude to everyone present. Amidst laughter, the volunteers pinned the poster to the wall, offering it as a blessing to reside deep within Gaina Manjhi's heart.
“Eat until only 80 percent full; use the remaining 20 percent to help others.”
Vivek Kumar also shared the principle of cultivating kindness and spreading love:
“Giving is not the privilege of the rich; it is the privilege of the sincere.”
Saving a handful of rice each day, he can help the needy too. This sense of equality and compassionate love will gradually nourish Gaina Manjhi's heart, drop by drop.
I want to Help Others
With the monthly support from Tzu Chi, Gaina Manjhi no longer begs for a living. Encouraged by the volunteers' invitations, he dons a volunteer vest and enters the community to serve others.
When he learned that the volunteers would deliver a wooden bed to an elderly stroke survivor, he immediately offered his help in carrying the bed and assisting the more disadvantaged senior. At the invitation of the volunteers, he also attended a gathering organized by a school principal and teachers; he took on the role of a diligent volunteer who helped clean tables, arranges chairs, and set up the venue.
He took part wholeheartedly in ice-breaking games, fully enjoying the camaraderie as he jumped along with the group. In these activities, he found new friends who, like him, joyfully contributed to the community. This newfound companionship and love have brought warmth to his life, allowing him to witness the beauty of a compassionate heart.
Taking an active part in Tzu Chi's events, he has gradually grasped the spirit of compassion and selflessness. He happily performed any task without complaint; his presence became a common sight at almost every Tzu Chi event. He promoted the Buddha Day Ceremony to other villagers, actively inviting them to participate, and diligently helped clean up the area afterward.
On May 30th, the volunteers organized a distribution event in Silaunja Village, bringing residents together to prepare. To help the villagers better understand the spirit of Tzu Chi's "Bamboo Bank Era," the volunteers planned a stage play. To ensure the villagers understood the play, all the roles were performed by the villagers themselves, with Gaina Manjhi among them.
Under the direction of local volunteer Deepak Kumar, with assistance from Malaysian volunteers, the play came to life after two rounds of rehearsals. Gaina Manjhi portrayed a banana vendor, adding authenticity to a heartfelt and enthusiastic performance that resonated with the villagers.
Laughter filled the air, accompanied by continuous applause. With each repetition, the village women and Gaina Manjhi's natural and captivating acting skills won over the audience, bringing fulfillment to the three distribution events. The spirit of the "five cents can save lives" and selfless great love entered everyone's hearts.
"I feel a tranquility in my soul. I will never again beg from others. I want to help others" -- Gaina Manjhi discovered the value of his life through his selfless acts. He decided that each day, when preparing his meals, he would set aside a handful of rice to donate to Tzu Chi. When the volunteers asked him about the purpose of the rice, he confidently replied: "To donate to charity."
Love has changed everything. Gaina Manjhi has transformed his destiny and no longer begs for a living. In his twilight years, he encountered Dharma, and his life is no longer wasted. The volunteers hope that this Love will touch more people, influence more lives, and allow everyone to give back to this sentient world with contentment and gratitude.
Join Tzu Chi. Let us live out the value of life.
Story by Wu Xiu-ling and Huang Shi Yu
