Page 37 - 37-Fall 2013

An Open Letter to Hurricane Sandy
Special Report
Dharma Master Cheng Yen

John Reyes
rom the moment I left the many professional charities
New York City Chinatown Tzu that the Tzu Chi Foundation's
FChi office where I received methods, coalesced with your
assistance during a Tzu Chi volunteers' ability to give such
Foundation distribution, I knew I With love, pain can be caring service, are the blueprint
was experiencing an epiphany of turned into strength. for assisting victims of disasters
what unconditional love during an Photo: Peter Chu anywhere in the world.
act of charity truly meant. As a result,
a few days later I volunteered to be part of In my community in Brooklyn,
Tzu Chi Foundation's mission of service to those New York, and in many, many neighborhoods
in need. throughout New York City ravaged by Sandy,
victims are working together in a tumultuous
Lately, I have been overwhelmed by wave struggle to rebuild. In no small part due to
after wave of an abundance of happiness and Tzu Chi, acquaintances have become friends,
fulfillment by helping others in need as a new friends have become brothers and sisters, and
Tzu Chi volunteer. unfamiliar neighbors have become each other's
keepers.
Exposure to such wonderful people as Vict,
George, Austin, Jenny, Teacher Lu, Amy, Anny, The non-esoteric approach of Tzu Chi's
and Joanne, just to name a few of the Tzu Chi message of love, compassion, empathy, and
Foundation staff and volunteers, has infused respect has had a definite effect. Interlaced with
me with hope. true love, Tzu Chi's genuine concern for those
needing help has inspired local residents to
These emissaries of your love, Master build a better neighborhood.
Cheng Yen, have helped me navigate through
all the adverse effects Hurricane Sandy has Where bigotry, bias, apathy, and selfishness
had on me. Astonishingly, they have imparted once ruled, now the “seeds” of comradeship,
this assistance to me by way of example. The loyalty, sharing, love, and respect for our fellow
way they help those in great need of help man have been planted and are starting to
has inspired me even more. Their outreach is flourish.
teeming with true compassion, respect, and
love, and has made an indelible mark on my Some miracles that I have read about
soul. happen in a time frame of minutes or hours. The
miracle you have created through God’s will has
What you have created almost half a taken decades, but is a miracle nonetheless. It
century ago has left an exemplary footprint is what this world needs in order to survive the
worldwide on how to administer charity and next century, if not the next few decades.
service. It has become abundantly clear to

Photo: Peter Lin