12/27 International Tzu Ching Officer Camp + Global TCCA Day
Reflection by Catherine Lee, OSU
Tzu Ching Social Media Chair
Has this camp experience brought any growth
or differences within you?
Although I have always known that
knowing Chinese is important, I have now truly realized the difficulties of not
being very fluent in listening, reading, and speaking Chinese. The translation
devices are very helpful and I’m grateful that I was able to use one at camp,
though during the classes I still tried to listen to the Chinese and not the
translation, so that I can get used to hearing it more and more. I feel that
through this camp experience, I was able to practice and improve my Chinese
listening and speaking skills. Although in my group we spoke English, I was
able to practice speaking Chinese with other Tzu Ching and SG and SB. The
opportunity to also present about the online dharma study that OSU participates
in also helped. However, the presentation also gave me another challenge which
is reading Chinese—for my skill in that is far worse than my speaking abilities.
Even so, I’ve become more determined to improve both speaking and reading
Chinese now after the camp! Chinese is one of the most difficult languages, but
I am fortunate to still have the ability to speak it and understand most of
what is spoken.
After attending this camp, what have you
learned at the camp that you did not know before?
I was
able to hear a lot about what other countries do, and also learn more about
certain events and disasters that occurred around the world—specifically how
relief was done in the country. I remember Kevin XZ’s experience in Nepal, and
Isaac XZ talking about Syria, and the lecture on the Formosa Fun Coast
Explosion. Although I had learned about the unfortunate events from the news
and Master’s Life Wisdoms, the classes on them were able to give a deeper
perspective on the tragedies that occurred.
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| Groups 18-20 with Monica XJ and Tim XZ |
The
Tzu Ching Alumni talk we had on the second day of camp also gave me more
perspective on what it is like to work in Taiwan beside Master Cheng Yen, and
also why the alumni we talked to wanted to work for Tzu Chi. Hearing their own
stories about how they became involved in Tzu Chi and what struggles they have
had in life was very inspiring.
What are the things that you learned or felt
inspired at the camp that you would like to bring to the US to inspire others or
implement?
At the camp, I heard so much about
different countries’ volunteer activities. In the Philippines, they have a
recycling event out of their many others. In my local chapter, we have a park
cleaning that does promote recycling, but I wonder now if there are ways that
we can create a recycling activity, maybe similar to Tzu Chi’s recycling
centers and sort out recyclables. Recently, I learned that in our university,
they no longer recycle items that were put into recycling bins. A lot of times,
items that have food residue are still put into recycling bins, and it is to
the point that these items are no longer recycled at all. I feel like this is
such a shame—and we should try to let people know what really is allowed to be
recycled, and what isn’t.
Going along with recycling, I began
to think a lot about sustainable living. The 5Rs include Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle, Repair, and I believe the last should be Refuse. I think one part that
we could remember to focus on is refuse. Refuse to use the plastic grocery
bags, refuse to drink a lot of canned soda and drinks, and more. I used to buy
small 8 oz. juice everyday back when I was still living in dorms, and I
realized that it is such a waste that I am buying a drink to use once and then
throw away. I feel motivated now to really pay more attention to what I am
using, and try to reduce the amount of waste I produce.
Your most touching moments at this camp.
One of the most touching moments I had at camp was
when we had our “A Cup of Wisdom” class with the Jing Si Shifu. During the
conversation we had with De Wen Shifu, there was a moment when she addressed
me—specifically—if I wanted to become a commissioner someday. I don’t really
recall how we got to that point, but I do remember my response. I told Shifu
that I wasn’t sure, because I was uncertain about graduate school, uncertain
about my career, so I didn’t know for sure. I never really considered it seriously,
and never asked my parents what it was like to be a commissioner or how does
one become a commissioner. Deep down I knew that it’s a good thing to do, to
become a commissioner for Tzu Chi.
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| Groups 18 and 19 with Shifu. |
But I was still not sure, not 100% willing
to commit. After speaking, Shifu calmly told me that in life, there are many
uncertainties. It’s uncertain if I will attend graduate school and where I
would attend. She said that the reason why I choose to become a commissioner
should not be because of my parents, because they will eventually leave
someday. She also I should not choose to become a commissioner because of
Master Cheng Yen—she too, will eventually leave someday. Shifu said that I need
to find my own reason for myself. At that point, I felt moved. When Shifu said
that, I was moved I realized once more how it’s important to care and make
decisions for myself. Of course, input from others can still be considered, but
it’s important to find my own reason why I want to do things like become a
commissioner, and don’t find reason in others. Although I know that being a Tzu
Chi commissioner is good, I’m still on the path to finding the reason why I
would become one in the future.
What have you enjoyed the most at this camp?
I
really enjoyed meeting all of the Tzu Ching from different countries, and their
warmth and kindness. It is also always nice seeing familiar faces again! This
is something I enjoy about all camps I have attended, and it’s the reason why I
want to keep going back to them. Everyone comes from different countries,
unfamiliar with each other at first.
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| Group 18! |
By the end of the camp, everyone feels sad
to leave. It’s always amazing how we can become so close to people within a few
days, and it is always sad to be apart from these new friends, especially since
we are separated by oceans and great stretches of land. I always feel a great
affinity with the people I am at the camp with, and I am always so grateful
that we are able to be at the same place at the same time. Whenever I leave, I
always have hopes of meeting everyone again.
What was your most memorable thing at the camp?
One of the most memorable things
from camp was when we walked from the Jing Si Tang to the Jing Si Abode. We
woke up early around 3:30AM and got ready to leave at around 4AM. It took us
around 2 hours to walk all the way there. As I walked, I felt surprisingly
cheerful, and maintained this cheerful mood throughout the walk. At that time,
I realized how enjoyable the walk was. If I had been in a sour mood,
complaining in my head about having to walk so much, I would have wasted energy
on those thoughts, and my body would not feel happy either. Instead, I was able
to enjoy getting exercise, see the sun begin to rise, and look forward to our
day working at the Abode, which is one of my favorite things to do.
Another thing I found memorable was
that doing nothing is like taking a step back. I was reminded about how when we
make a vow, we do it because we want to do something, or do something better.
If we take no actions, it is like we are taking a step back from this initial
vow. I found this lesson to stand out, and I realized that there are so many
things that I still need to do, and things I need to improve. When it comes to
working towards these goals, I cannot do nothing, because I won’t be making a
progress—and making no progress is like going further and further away from
your goals.
After attending this camp, what do you feel
differently for your responsibility as a Tzu Ching officer?
As an officer, I know it is
important to perform my responsibilities and also help other officers as well.
After attending camp, I realize how important it is to take every chance and
use our time wisely. It’s important to let others know about our club, and have
more members join who are dedicated. Joining Tzu Chi to volunteer and help
others is always good, but it’s also important to realize that cultivating
ourselves is something that we are always doing, and although we do this
cultivation through helping others, we still must cultivate ourselves and watch
Master’s teachings every chance, every day we can.
