Page 150 - 42-Winter 2014_Final

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Northern California Tzu Ching present
“Fulfill My Dream” in sign language.

As Tzu Chi reached its fortieth anniversary around the country to introduce the profound
in 2006, Master Cheng Yen encouraged her meaning of Master’s call to more Tzu Chi
disciples to adapt the Sutra of Infinite Meanings volunteers. The team encouraged volunteers
for music and sign language, so that Tzu Chi to let the Dharma into their hearts through
volunteers could enter deeply into the sutra group study, to perform the sutra through sign
teachings and purify their hearts. Treating language, to deeply consider the sutra’s true
the performance as group sutra study, more meaning, and to absorb the words into action,
than two hundred Southern California Tzu speech, and thought. All across the country,
Chi volunteers and staff members sincerely volunteers started holding weekly group study
brought the sutra to life through their efforts sessions. Tzu Chi offices in the Midwest Region
both onstage and backstage for performance in are widely spread across a dozen cities in seven
both October and November. states—some of which are separated from each

On the occasion of Tzu Chi’s forty-fifth other by hundreds of miles—so local leaders
anniversary in 2011, Dharma Master Cheng gathered on conference calls to share what
Yen called on Tzu Chi volunteers to study the was discussed in each session and plan how to
Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance promote group study in the community.
text and to “awaken to the karmic law of cause Group study for the Compassionate
and effect, thoroughly repent, and cleanse with Samadhi Water Repentance continued for two
Dharma-water.” She asked everyone to carry out years, as volunteers cycled through the text
the Buddha’s teachings in daily living, cleanse three times. In 2013, the group study focus
the filth from their hearts and minds, and switched to the Sutra of Infinite Meetings,
eliminate habitual tendencies. Volunteers across with volunteers again receiving the Dharma-
Taiwan responded enthusiastically, bringing the marrow of the teaching weekly in order to
Dharma as Water musical adaptation to life in achieve what Master Cheng Yen expects of all
twenty-six performances throughout the island. Tzu Chi volunteers: to bring oneself and others
That May, Tzu Chi USA Headquarters to awakening and cultivate both blessings and
established a Compassionate Samadhi Water wisdom.
Repentance group study team that traveled

1 5 0 Tzu Chi uSA WiNTER 2014