Written by Chong-chun Cai Photo by Ming-da Ou
Translated by Tan Gnoh & Erica Lee Proofread by May Lin

Awakened from the suffering of impermanence, Li-qing Ou is grateful for every opportunity to give. No matter how big or small the power is, as long as one can devote with full heart and strength, little by little, one can ultimately accomplish the accumulation of merit with love. Photo by Ming-da Ou

Gaining Joy in Tzu Chi Reading Group

“I had felt uneasy as the senior volunteer couldn’t come to Taiwan with me. However, upon arriving in Taiwan, Tzu Chi brothers and sisters warmly greeted me. They made me feel like home,” said Li-qing Ou.

 “I am a retired nursing staff. Joining Tzu Chi at the age of 60 and begun to cultivate principle of gratitude in Tzu Chi,” she continued. She was deeply moved after attending concert on filial piety in May, 2016. She immediately signed up for reading group and found her path to cultivating a grateful life.

 “I fully understand that we do not have claim on our life but only the right to use it. Since both of my parents had passed away. Whenever my parents were mentioned, I would burst into tears.”

“Although I think I am filial to my parents and a good daughter-in-law, I still have room for improvement. Master Cheng Yen always tells us that there are two things in life that cannot wait---fulfilling filial piety and doing good deeds. I already missed the chance to fulfill filial piety to my parents, so I cannot miss the opportunity to do good deeds.”

Sister Li-qing Ou continued to say that she left her workforce this year and transferred to do volunteering service as her career. As she heard Master Cheng Yen keep saying that she’s running out of time, she was awakened and decided to seize every moment to walk the Bodhisattva path.

Mindfulness leads to profession

“After the lectures, I not only cultivate myself but learn to give with gratitude. I was especially amazed by the musical adaptation of The Twelve Great Vows of the Medical Buddha performed by the medical professionals. They perform surgeries most of the time. However, when they played the drums, every movement of their body was accurate. Their movement even conveyed emotion well. ”said Li-qing Ou.

 “Dr. Chin-lon Lin, CEO of Tzu Chi medical mission, talked about how the Buddha enlightened the living beings thousands of years ago, and we medical professionals should learn to be as compassionate as the Buddha. Through giving, we actually mentally benefit from it. The spirit of medicine is to respect life. What Tzu Chi does nowadays witnesses the teachings spread by the Buddha 2,500 years ago.” Li-qing Ou said.

She continued, “As a professional nurse, I have to work in shifts, which is sometimes unbearable for me. However, after listening to the sharing, I firmly believe that every problem can be solved when we have gratitude, respect, and love in our hearts. I’ll practice the spirit of love in my career and medical mission. Through the lectures, Li-qing Ou learned from other medical professionals.

“After listening to the sharing at the sub-discussion on nursing, I firmly believe that only gratefulness, respect, and love can resolve all obstacles. Through making good use of Master Cheng Yen’s teachings, I will put the spirits of great love into practice in both career and volunteer works.” Photo by Tang-ming Ye

Every day is the only chance

 “A few years ago, my brother suffered from a serious disease both mentally and physically, and struggled between life and death. Under such helpless circumstances, I sent a letter requesting for rescue through WeChat, hoping the people who see my messages to pray for blessings for my brother. The miracle occurred after I made my vows to eat vegetarian. My brother finally gradually recovered!” Li-qing Ou from Zhuhai City, Guangdong, described the cause for her to switch to vegetarianism.

 “At that time, Master Ji Jing led his apprentices and disciples to pray for blessings for my brother, and asked me to make a great vow. At that moment the thought "to eat vegetarian diet!" crossed my mind. Strange to say, my brother was gradually recovered. After that, Master Ji Jing encouraged me to do more good deeds, and join Tzu Chi’s activities. Because of such extraordinary reason, I started to understand Tzu Chi,” said Ou.

 “Be it Dharma talks, study gatherings, charity clinic service, nursing home visits, etc., I will participated these activities as long as I’m available. Every time when I heard Master Cheng Yen coughing when she is expounding the Dharma teachings, I feel the same great pain with her. If the lifespan can be exchanged, I wish I could give my lifespan to Master Cheng Yen. Thus, she could live longer and help more people.”

Awakened from the suffering of impermanence, Li-qing Ou is grateful for every opportunity to give. No matter how big or small the power is, as long as one can devote with full heart and strength, little by little, one can ultimately accomplish the accumulation of merit with love. 

Sister Li-qing Ou (fifth from right) with team members and team leader of Group 41. Photo by Tang-ming Ye