[Words to Volunteers]Editor’s note: After the sudden passing of Mr. Chen Yo-peng, a cameraman who had worked at the Jing Si Abode over two decades, Master spoke of her memories of him at the Morning Volunteer Assembly on the day following his passing.
To bear witness to times, document events, and record Tzu Chi’s history require one to give of oneself mindfully with love. This also requires determination, for without it, one cannot do this. It is not easy to remain focused on one task all the time. Every day at this time, when I held my Morning Volunteer Assembly, I would see Mr. Chen Yo-peng mindfully carrying out his job as a cameraman.
Our interaction was always very simple. When I called him by his nickname, Xiao Chen, he would quickly move his camera away. This was our typical interaction, which he responded to my words through movement.
He was devoted to his work and was very professional. Sometimes when he moved the camera too close to me, I would say, “Xiao Chen,” and he would quickly move the camera away. In order to capture a good footage, he would get very close to the people he wanted to film. I would also say, “Xiao Chen,” and he would quickly move away. This was how we interacted with each other.
Yesterday, I had a meeting in the morning. At noon, Supt. Lin of our hospital came to the Abode, and we went to the dining hall to have lunch. When I left the dining hall and stood outside, Supt. Lin got up and followed me. I told him, “You should finish your meal.”
“Master,” he began, “I need to tell you, this morning, Xiao Chen…”
I asked, “What happened to Xiao Chen?”
He hesitantly told me that Xiao Chen had passed away. I couldn’t believe it at first. At dawn yesterday morning, when I walked up the steps of the Main Buddha Hall, I didn’t see Xiao Chen and was wondering where he was as I sat down to give my Dharma talk. Then I remembered that, when Xiao Chen was not on leave, I would always see him early in the morning. Thus, I didn't think much of it yesterday.
In Tzu Chi, everyone misses him. Someone relayed that, Xiao Chen once said he wanted to be at the Abode for his last moment. Last night, I heard that many volunteers in Taiwan and overseas prayed for him after they heard the news of his passing. Volunteers at various Tzu Chi offices all prayed for him. Indeed, life is impermanent. Life and death is only separated by a breath. Yet, life is simple; one should not have attachments. Xiao Chen had no attachments or worries in his life; he passed away peacefully while sitting in a chair.
Xiao Chen lived a very simple life, and he left many important and beautiful footages and photos of Tzu Chi’s history. Now his life has passed. I was deeply saddened, and yet I should say that Xiao Chen left us peacefully without attachments. We should also let go so that we all can be free of attachments and worries. He passed away without pain, and his wish was fulfilled.
When one can live a simple life without worries, what is there to be fussed over? We should understand the truth about life and death, and keep this truth in mind. The value of our life comes from giving of ourselves and creating a world where everyone lives peacefully and treats one another with love. This is the life that we want to create.
From Morning Volunteer Assembly teachings on February 20, 2017
Compiled into English by the Jing Si Abode English Editorial Team
