GREAT LOVE

Great Love 5 Foreword David Liu / 2019 Time flies. In the wink of an eye, the seeds of Great Love sown by Tzu Chi volunteers more than a quarter century ago, have flourished in many parts of Malaysia. From Tzu Chi branches in Penang, Melaka, KL & Selangor and Kedah, the Foundation has been promoted widely in every corner of East and West Malaysia. Today, there are 113 Tzu Chi offices and contact points throughout Malaysia. Transcending religion and race, the local community volunteers, in their spirit of Great Love, have helped numerous people in need of aid. In the past 20-plus years, the Malaysian Tzu Chi community has left behind legacies and testimonies of Great Love in many parts of the country. There are care recipients, who have been receiving support from Tzu Chi for more than ten years. The selfless love of volunteers has been documented as a visual chronicle that depicts heart-warming interaction and rapport between volunteers and care recipients. Tzu Chi emphasizes on serving the masses compassionately, thereby sowing blessings, and learning the Dharma to nurture wisdom. To be able to respond to every distress call, a large number of volunteers are required. Malaysians are generally simple-minded, loving and charitable. With over one million strong donors, Malaysia is the country with the largest volunteer and donor base outside of Taiwan. Hence, Master Cheng Yen, who has never visited any country, once said: “If I could travel overseas, the first country I would like to visit is Malaysia.” This is indeed the Master’s recognition and appreciation of Malaysian Tzu Chi volunteers’ untiring dedication, and the Master’s blessings for Malaysia. Time passes quickly, and this is especially so when one leads a busy but happy life. By practising the Dharma in our lives, we shift our perspective to view the world with joy and gratefulness. The past 20-plus years have seen many Tzu Chi volunteers transformed their mind, from a confused to a more awakened state. Now that we are in a time of frequent occurrences of disasters, we must strive even harder to help the poor and inspire the rich. Only when human mind is purified will society be peaceful and the world be free from disasters. May all volunteers continue to cherish this affinity, treasure their blessings on this path of spiritual cultivation, reflect on the past and work together for the third decade of jubilant service and dedication.