Duration | 2:32
Discovering Great Wisdom from the Lotus Sutra
Tzu Chi Singapore volunteer Lim Siew Cheng and her husband have been volunteering with Tzu Chi for many years. Lim has been watching Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s pre-dawn Dharma talks without fail for the past 5 years, so she is not a stranger to the Lotus Sutra. While attending a volunteers’ retreat in Taiwan in 2018, she heard Master Cheng Yen urge all Tzu Chi volunteers to watch the opera programme on the life of Great Dharma Master Zhizhe produced by Da Ai TV. After returning to Singapore, she began delving into the spirit of Master Zhizhe, and this has given her a deeper understanding of the Lotus Sutra. Lim also encouraged her husband to study the book about Master Zhizhe when she found out that Tzu Chi Singapore was holding a charity Taiwanese opera performance on the life of the master.
Tzu Chi volunteer Lim Siew Cheng:
I would write down the important incidences that happened to Master Zhizhe during the 60 years of his life and mark them in the book, so that it is easier to find and read them when I need to look them up.
The book combines the historical background and the spirit of Lotus Sutra, and gives an account of the life of a great Dharma master. Lim studies it carefully and has gained some realisations.
Tzu Chi volunteer Lim Siew Cheng
Master Cheng Yen has asked us 3 times to watch the programme on Master Zhizhe, so I am heeding her call. Actually, this is a challenging book to read, but I gained a lot after overcoming various challenges. So I would continue reading it. The “Five Periods and Eight Teachings” are actually derived from the Lotus Sutra. I feel that Master Cheng Yen has simplified the Sutra to make it easier for us to practise it. And I find that inconceivable, for e.g., the Maha Shamatha Vipashyana is actually a simple way to cultivate both blessings and wisdom.
Lim and her husband have been Tzu Chi volunteers for many years. They’ve gained a deeper understanding of the Lotus Sutra after studying about Dharma Master Zhizhe. Besides reading the book, they also watch Da Ai TV’s Taiwanese opera and book sharing programmes.
Volunteer: His mum and dad are appearing now. (Wow, you can already memorize it.)
Tzu Chi volunteer Gooi Seak Wah :
The Taiwanese opera depicts Master Zhizhe’s determination in seeking the Dharma amid the chaos of a war. We are living in an era with many modern conveniences, yet we do not appreciate the teachings. The treasure is right in front of us, but sometimes we do not cherish it due to our ignorance. Thanks to Master Cheng Yen for using so many ways to help nurture our wisdom-life.
Subtitle: The charity performance of “The Great Dharma Master Zhizhe” held at Kreta Ayer People’s Theater on 5th and 6th July 2019.
Volunteer: The person mentioned by the Tzu Chi sister just now was actually a brutal king, and he was called “Sui Yang”.
To help other volunteers gain an in-depth understanding of the Lotus Sutra and the vastness of Buddhism, Lim organised a book sharing session before the charity performance on the life of Master Zhizhe was held in Singapore. She hopes that the volunteers would delve into the spirit of this great Dharma master and walk steadfastly on the Bodhisattva Path.
