Karan Kumar (left), an eighth-grade student, expressed his joy at receiving a card and the opportunity to reply. This experience held special significance for him as he had never before sent a letter abroad. (Photo by Yap Jin Hong; India; 2023/7/4)

In a school in Sujata Village in Maharastra state, western India, moving expressions of gratitude echoed through classrooms of seventh and eighth graders. The heartfelt chorus of “Gratitude, gratitude, boundless gratitude, gratitude to uncles and aunties" caused uplifted thumbs and brought hands together in a gesture of appreciation.

On July 4th, in the Sujata Bakrour Government School, a unique blessing was bestowed upon students through the collaborative efforts of Tzu Chi volunteers from Malaysia and their local counterparts. From grades one through eight, these volunteers, driven by goodwill and compassion, translated their gratitude into action, creating a heartwarming exchange.

Eighth-grade students earnestly wrote blessing cards and prepared to send them back to students of Tzu Chi International School Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Yap Jin Hong; India; 2023/7/4)

Inside the classrooms of the seventh and eighth grades, the air was filled with gratitude as students recited words of appreciation in Mandarin. Their uplifted thumbs and joined palms expressed their heartfelt thanks to the volunteers. These dedicated volunteers were from different regions, including Malaysia and Singapore; they gained the school principal's approval to integrate Jing Si Aphorisms into the daily routine, turning it into a normal pre-lesson ritual.

Tzu Chi volunteer Lee Guo Xiang (李國香, left) from Singapore sat with a child on the carpet, patiently teaching them to write Chinese Jing Si Aphorisms character by character. (Photo by Yap Jin Hong; India; 2023/7/4)

The school's surroundings painted a stark picture - a modest institution surrounded by waste and farmland. Facing these conditions, the volunteers chose to respond with compassion, bringing forth both blessings and transformation. Through an event within the school premises, they presented gifts such as notebooks, pens, and handcrafted blessing cards by students from Tzu Chi International School Kuala Lumpur. As the students received these offerings, they responded with sincere words and adorned the cards with heartfelt sentiments.

Through this interaction, the volunteers and students shared the message of the Jing Si Aphorism:

"The more love you give, the more love you receive".

These activities not only enriched the students' knowledge but also allowed them to experience love and blessings from afar. At the same time, the volunteers extended an invitation to the school's educators to join the Tzu Chi Teachers’ Association, to foster mutual understanding and cooperation.

Students of Sujata Bakrour Government School received handcrafted Jing Si Aphorisms bookmarks, lovingly made by Tzu Chi Mamas from Kuala Lumpur and parent-child class students. (Photo by Yap Jin Hong; India; 2023/7/4)

This event was full of love and gratitude, creating a profound connection between the volunteers and the students. Through their heartfelt interactions, the volunteers not only presented gifts but also sowed seeds of compassion, infusing the campus with hope and warmth.

The volunteers inspired both students and educators, imparting the importance of love and compassion. Full of empathy and benevolence, they lit up the students' hearts, ensuring the perpetuation of these values in their future lives. Through such exchanges, the volunteers infused hope and radiance into this land, igniting a bright flame for the students' journey ahead.

Join Tzu Chi. Let us spread love across the world together.

Rajnandni Kumari, a seventh-grade student, received a card with a car design and responded with a heartfelt red heart. She was delighted to express her feelings and extended her gratitude to the international school students, wishing them love, happiness, and good luck. (Photo by Yap Jin Hong; India; 2023/7/4)
Malaysian Tzu Chi volunteer, Huang Su Tao (黃嫊桃, right), presented a bamboo tube as a token of appreciation to Manoj Kumar Sinha (left), principal of Sujata Bakrour Gov School. (Photo by Yap Jin Hong; India; 2023/7/4)
Educators experienced the Untie the Knot game, gaining insights into the importance of teamwork and unity. (Photo by Yap Jin Hong; India; 2023/6)
Participating principals and teachers raised their hands, expressing their willingness to visit Taiwan and meet Master Cheng Yen. (Photo by Yap Jin Hong; India; 2023/6/30)
On the afternoon of June 30th, ten principals, one secretary, and three teachers attended the second Principals and Teachers Fellowship at Bodhgaya. (Photo by Yap Jin Hong; India; 2023/6/30)
Principal Jainendra Pant (right) of Mankoshi Middle School, who adheres to a strict vegetarian diet excluding eggs, believes in following vegetarianism beyond just wearing Tzu Chi uniforms. (Photo by Yap Jin Hong; India; 2023/6)

Story by Chu Hsiu-lien