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In fact, Tzu Chi volunteers have even taken decades earlier, Tzu Chi replaced much of the
this appreciation for rainwater abroad. Since grass with artificial turf in order to save water
1997, volunteers have constructed more than and money while keeping the ground looking
nineteen thousand cisterns in western China’s lush and pristine. Sinks throughout the campus
desert Gansu Province to collect rainwater for were fitted with eco-friendly fixtures that turn
local families to use throughout the lengthy dry off directly at the faucet, saving both time and
season. water.

In addition to wisely using rainwater, In other offices, volunteers have also found
it is also important to allow water to seep creative ways to conserve water. For instance,
back into the ground in order to maintain fifty miles north of San Francisco in Santa Rosa,
the underground water supply. Minchao Lin California, volunteers have built a dual gray
explained, “When buildings are constructed, water system based on Jing Si Abode’s example
they affect the permeability of the ground. to collect water from washing dishes so that it
Because Hualien’s ground is very permeable, we can be reused to water plants. Further south
designed a water drainage system with gravel at in Fresno—where volunteers have provided
its base in order to conserve the underground medical relief to migrant farm workers and
water resources.” And in another step to save underprivileged residents of the Central Valley
water, Tzu Chi Hospital replaced all its toilets for well over a decade—the local team has
with dual-flush toilets. Instead of using fifteen redoubled its efforts to reach those affected
liters per flush, these now use six or nine liters. by the ongoing drought and resultant lack
In the United States as well, volunteers go of job opportunities. In October 2014, Kaiser
above and beyond to conserve and cherish Permanente even presented Tzu Chi with a
water. In 2004, when Tzu Chi USA moved into grant exceeding $75,000 to support these
its new national headquarters in San Dimas—a drought-related medical efforts.
then-seventy-five-year-old facility that Earth’s water resources are decreasing by
had previously been home to two different the day. We should change our ways now so as
colleges—steps were quickly taken to bring not to let the last drops of water be the tears
the property up to Tzu Chi standards of water of humanity. Without water, there is no way to
preservation. In addition to draining the leaky grow the five grains. Without water, humanity
pool that had served as a practice facility for cannot survive.
the 1932 Summer Olympics more than seven

Hualien Tzu Chi General Hospital has been
recognized for its innovative rainfall collection
system incorporated into the building’s architecture.
Photo: Linzhao Yan

If we hope to conserve our planet’s resources, we must start by
learning to cherish what we already have.
2 4 TZU CHI USA SUMMER 2015 Jing Si Aphorism by Dharma Master Cheng Yen