2015 TCCA Leadership Conference in Houston Reflection - Kuanhung

Returning Home

Left to right: Frank Xu, Kuanhung Lin, Michael Lee

A young and impressionable Kuanhung (that's me!) was first introduced to Tzu Chi back in grade school. Like many others, the reason I attended Tzu Chi classes was simple; my mom told me to. And, like many others, I pushed back against the desires of my parents. Through my adolescent years, I stopped attending classes and meetings, only attending a few volunteer activities. The spiritual and religious roots from which Tzu Chi comes from pushed me away, as I was defiantly unreligious. That was my association with Tzu Chi until the last half year. An opportunity arose to perform in the new year's blessing, something I had turned down all past years. I decided (for a reason I can't quite recall) to participate. Visiting the service center every weekend and spending time with the people there reminded me of the sense of family, the love, and the hard work and compassion that the members of Tzu Chi all had within them. Following that, I decided to become more active, attending the adult training, and earning my Tzu Ching uniform. Throughout the rest of the summer, I found my free time filled with Tzu Chi activities, each of them fun and fulfilling. The TCCA camp this year was my first TCCA camp, and a great finale to a great TC summer.

As an OSU Tzu Ching, I was enlisted to help with a workshop that would be held at the camp. At the time, I was unaware of the large commitment of time, energy, and effort that it would take to make this one workshop work out. Nor was I quite ready for the large quantity of information that we were expected to know for this workshop to work out. Luckily, I had some great mentors, who guided the discussion and decisions. Knowing what little I did about the material, I contributed as much as I could to the final product. For me, this workshop was much less an opportunity to share my knowledge as it was to learn about the principles behind Tzu Chi. It was also resulted in great friendship, I'd like to think, between myself and the other OSU Tzu Chings. I've known most of them in some fashion or another for many years at that point, but never really spent enough time with them to call them close friends. Now, I hope we will continue our friendship for the rest of our lives.

Group 12!

Then it was time for camp. I fully expected the first few hours, perhaps days, to be awkward and embarrassing. Making friends is not exactly my forte. Making friends with people who speak in a language I can just barely converse in? Terrifying. However, on arrival at the service center, I felt for some reason, at ease with the idea of meeting new people. The attendees invited me into conversation, and the many icebreakers helped me learn names, chapters, and ages of the many new friends I made that first day. The friendly, familial atmosphere that was ever present at my local chapter seemed to exist also in the new, warm (hot) environment. Soon, I made good friends, and met more every day. We spent time together, learned about each other, and learned and grew together.

Learning was truly an integral part of the experience. My religious background is close to non-existent. As was mentioned before, it was the spiritual or religious aspect of Tzu Chi that really pushed me away from Tzu Chi. However, I was truly exposed to the dharma during the preparation for our own workshop. We read a book titled Three Ways to the Pure Land, which really was my first experience of dharma, in relation to Tzu Chi. The workshops at Houston were more vivid and engaging than the book, and provided an easy way to understand the teachings. However, not all workshops were about dharma. We talked with the head of TIMA, with volunteers in Nepal, and with Xiao Niu. We learned
about Tzu Chi work around the world, along with Tzu Chi work done in local chapters all around the US. And finally, we connected online with Master Cheng Yen, an experience that was as surreal as it was amazing.

My first TCCA camp blew away all expectations. With my return to Tzu Chi, I feel motivated, ready for the school year and all the curveballs life may throw at me. I know I've got real friends to fall back on, and a GPS to guide me through the rough seas in life. I have no doubt that next year, camp at San Jose will be just as invigorating.

2015 TCCA Leadership Conference in Houston Reflection - Frank

Reflections of a Curry Crew Member

            Hello there. This is Frank Xu, Houston TCCA curriculum team member, writing to you about the experience known as “being on curriculum team”. The past three months have felt like an escalating five-way train wreck; except everyone in the trains survived and the trains didn't actually crash into each other.

Left: Frank Xu
Right: Kuanhung Lin

Here in Tzu Chi, we are often encouraged to make vows. When I first was approached to be part of the planning committee I accepted with little consideration to the time and brainpower required for the position. So, before making a vow, try to think about what you're getting yourself into first (get out while you still can). Before I scare everyone off, I want to make it clear that the workload of a curriculum team member is very doable as long as you're semi-responsible/diligent. I sorta didn't do that at all. Kids, don't make the same mistakes as your predecessors. When you get projects over long periods of time, pace yourself.

            In hindsight, if I had worked on my classes twice a week I could have prevented a few gray hairs. Yet, the beauty in all of this was that in the end everything turned out okay. Actually, not just okay. Frakkin amazing. Being in Tzu Chi is like having the greatest safety net ever, because all your efforts are worthwhile. Even if you fail, people will still cheer/support you. It's like elementary school sports! Everyone's on the same team and we're all winners. I mean this in a completely unironic way. So, moral of the story: Nothing you do matters. Haha, just kidding. I think... that even if everything may work out in the end, being diligent and responsible about our duties can prevent a lot of stress along the way. It is nice to know that everyone at camp wants you to succeed though.

OSU Tzu Ching, GPS of Life Workshop (skit)

            Planning for a class felt like a culmination of all my life skills. I had to communicate with my team members; I had to be mindful of who my audience was; I even had to critically think for once. All of this leading up to camp felt like an intense balancing act. Then camp started, and I proceeded to have my best TCCA year ever. Much in part due to my fellow curriculum team buddies. The bond we created in those 5 days is intensely unique. There's a beauty in becoming close friends with people you only see for 1 week and maybe only once a year. No time for petty squabbles; just teamwork and good feelings all around. Beyond curriculum team, I really gotta give props to all the staff and people who contributed to this year's event. This year's camp went as smooth as conceivably possible.

            I had a lot of fun. Fun in a different way than attendee or group leader. There's a bit of freedom which comes with being a curriculum team member. During camp, I had the choice of facilitating ongoing classes or preparing for future classes. Being a facilitator for classes required awareness of the attendees and the lecturer. When I floated around groups and facilitated discussion I was able to meet all sorts of people. I don't wanna say that I screwed with or derailed group concentration, but I did enjoy prodding attendees by uh... creatively engaging them. There's a lot of entertainment in making others entertained. I suppose there's a balance to be had. Ideally, a class is both interesting and meaningful. If I ever got tired of class, I could then duck out and prepare for my own class, help another team member prep for their class, or even take a nap (not that I abused such privileges). Disclaimer: I will admit that the time leading up to my class was nerve wrecking; however, afterward it was all YOLOSOLO no holds omgwthbbq joy. Overall, going to Houston was comfy and nerve wrecking at the same time.

2015 TCCA greatest of all time? Until next year that is. See you all in San Jose 2016.

2015 YA@UN and 2015 TCCA Leadership Conference in Houston Reflection - Catherine

As I try to wrap up my thoughts on what has happened in the past two weeks, what comes to mind is that around this time of each year, everything is bittersweet. It’s the time when I get to see my friends from across the country, and it’s also a time when I make new friends.The first day is always “Hello—it’s nice to meet you,” and the last day is always “Goodbye—we’ll meet again.” When you go back home after spending two weeks with your friends constantly by your side, you feel like there is an empty space inside you that longs to be filled again. Although the feeling is bittersweet, the sad feelings are overcome with the knowledge that we will meet again, and that these friendships will last even with the distance that separates us.

I’m grateful that this year I had the opportunity to go back to the Youth Assembly at the UN as a delegate for Tzu Chi. Last year was my first time going to the YA@UN, and to be honest I don’t remember a lot of what happened during the actual YA@UN, but instead I remember the Tzu Ching and Tzu Shao that I had met through our own pre-camp. The feeling I had being part of this close-knit group was what brought me back to YA@UN this year. It was also what convinced me to take on the responsibility of being an overall team leader for our delegate team.

生命力 The Power of Life!!

I don’t consider myself to be a very outgoing person, so when I was asked if I’d like to be an overall team lead, I was a bit hesitant. I’m also someone who tends to have a lot of 煩惱 (afflictions). But surprisingly, that hesitation and worry existed for a small moment, and I made the quick decision to go for it. I was still a bit unconfident, but that feeling was a given because it was the first time that I ad to handle such a responsibility. From the moment I made my decision, I knew that there would be no regrets. Throughout the camp, I was mentally not very stressed, but I knew physically my body was very tense. It was especially noticeable whenever someone massaged my shoulders. I even kind of caught a cold that would last for a few days, probably because of the lack of sleep. Yet, I didn’t mind any of this at all—because the people around me were a support that made my worries and stress go away. Even when we received so many curveballs throughout the week, as a team we were able to catch them humbly and move forward.

Group 13!

A few days after the YA@UN, I headed to Houston for the 2015 TCCA Leadership Conference, where it would be my second time as small group leader. It was so exciting meeting my friends from previous conferences, and I was also looking forward to getting to know the people I have never met before. The workshops and classes during the conference were really fun and interesting, and I learned a lot from them. When you transform your mind and change your way of thinking, your actions can really create change not only within yourself, but also within others.

I really enjoyed the evening program we had this year—it really gave me an opportunity to see what other chapters were doing, and it was a relaxing break from a long day of classes. It was also a great time to take lots of pictures with everyone! Singing and doing the sign language with everyone for "So I Stand Up" at the end of the evening was very touching as well.

At the closing ceremony, I was once again very moved by the sign language that was performed. SGs and SBs were so cute when performing "陽光眷戀的地方 The Place Where the Sunshine Loves." I am always moved by the lyrics:

“讓我們像一家人一樣, 來分享感動化解迷惘. Let us be like one family. We can share our touching stories and end all of our doubts.
用最溫柔的目光 ,看彼此成長. Using the most gentle gazes we can watch each other grow.
張開臂膀打開門窗 讓愛照在心上. Spread out your arms, open the doors and windows—let love shine on your heart.”

Throughout the closing ceremony, a few of us were sitting in the back, somewhat separated from the others because our rides to the airport were departing during the closing ceremony. What was touching was the moment when everyone in front of us turned around to wave goodbye. At that moment, I really didn’t want to leave everyone, but leaving was something that was inevitable. We all have to go back home, back to work,back to school. I have learned so much from my fellow Tzu Ching and Tzu Shao, Tzu Ching Alumni, and SGs and SBs. I have been so inspired by everyone’s dedication and motivation. Spending my last two weeks of summer break with Tzu Chi is something that I will always look forward to doing, and I hope that in the future I can continue to attend TCCA conferences and see my big Tzu Chi family again.

Gratefully,
Catherine Lee

2015 YA@UN and 2015 TCCA Leadership Conference in Houston Reflection - Michael

Left: Peggy Hsieh (UC Berkeley),
Right: Michael Lee (OSU)

The last two weeks have been incredible. If you had asked me 4 years ago if I was going to continue TC in college, I would have downright shut you down and said no. However, after attending the TCCA leadership conference that same year in 2011, my life was changed forever. I made a vow to become vegetarian and although near the beginning of this summer I was still wavering whether or not I wanted to stay vegetarian, I think I decided to stay. I slowly became more and more involved in TC and experienced the feeling in having joy in helping others. Throughout the past four years attending camps, I met more and more incredible people, more and more dedicated people, and made more and more people who I can consider my family even if we aren't super close. Tzu Chi not only started to make me conscience of my choices, but it also became my anchor to this world through my mental struggles in high school. My parents would always tell me that even if people or things I loved were gone, TC and the people I met in TC will always be there physically or spiritually.

Go Tzuperheroes!

Saying goodbye to the people you have met and have deep discussions with is really hard, and it was even harder these last two weeks. First was the Youth Assembly at the United Nations. Spending six days with a small group of volunteers , learning how to network, talk to strangers, learning leadership skills, etc. Really lets you be able to get close to some people. Although you get the feeling here or there that some people might not like you that much, it was still incredible. Right after the Youth Assembly ended, I was blessed to have been able to have hung out with not only the friends I made, but also some new faces of the locals that lived there. However, it was a bittersweet four days afterwards, as people not attending the TCCA leadership conference afterwards slowly went home, which resulted in our group getting smaller. Even so, being in New York City for those four days really rekindled my passion for the city and the urban lifestyle.

Next came the TCCA leadership conference. I don't know why, but everytime I attend TCCA, I am always inspired. I remember my first conference, I was so scared because I didn't know a lot of people. But the amazing thing about Tzu Chi is that no matter where you go, if you are with TC people you don't even know, there is an amazing familial feeling and you feel comfortable almost instantly.

Group 2 members

Conference at Houston this year was no different. There I was, among my TC family learning, getting inspired, and connecting with other people, whether it be new friends or old friends. The days went really quickly and soon, there would be today which was the hardest, in which I had to say goodbye. Goodbye to all the people I met, the family members I had only a few days to spend with, and the close group that went to UN and then conference. However, I know that one day we will meet again, as long as we all stay on the TC path.

I've told a lot of people this, but if not for Tzu Chi, my life today would be completely different, and not in a good way. These last two weeks have taught me a lot about myself. I have a lot of issues with myself and may or may not be the best child or friend to some people. However, if I am able to change myself for the better, develop a better relationship with my parents,and continue to be inspired by others, I will be able to reach my ultimate goal which is to inspire others. And through the action of inspiring others, I will be able to help more and more people in this world.

Thank you to everyone who made these last two weeks amazing.

-Michael Lee