2016 Midwest Tzu Ching Retreat Reflection - Frank

I must confess, this being my third time going to the Midwest retreat, at the start of camp I was worried that I fallen into routine. In other words, I was simply going to retreat because I did so every year. I remember on the first day of camp, Trisha XJ asked me why did I choose to spend my spring break here rather than elsewhere. At that time I did not have a concrete answer. Well, regardless, I had a grand old time. Before I knew it, the Tzu Ching retreat had come and gone. Now, my answer to Trisha XJ’s question is that I don’t want to miss any opportunity to be in Tzu Chi (well, that and I actually don’t spend my vacations doing much other than staying at home). Every Tzu Ching retreat has its own unique set of lessons, people, and experiences. I want to treasure all of it. I think Leonard Nimoy put it best, “Life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. Live long and prosper.”

2016 Midwest Retreat Group 1

At camp I had the strange realization that I was no longer an underclassman. I went to my first retreat when I was a Tzu Shao in high school, so I always thought of myself as the newbie amongst Tzu Ching. But now, I’m an adult! Well, I’m also an upperclassman in college, whereas there were a lot of attendees who were underclassmen. To be honest, I did not feel that much different from my underclassman days, but I’m sure many people did not see me as the inexperienced padawan I once was. For many others at camp, this was their first time at a retreat. I wonder how all the newer students felt at camp? For those who had their first time attending a Tzu Ching retreat, were they as profoundly touched as I was when I was a Tzu Shao? Throughout camp I tried to be more friendly towards all, and in the end I hope I helped to make retreat enjoyable for those first timers. Hopefully there will be chances to meet again at San Jose 2016 and Midwest 2017 retreat and many more years to come!

2016 Midwest Tzu Ching Retreat Reflection - Elena

在2016年三月十一日哥倫布慈青隊分別用了三臺車，花了將近六小時前往芝加哥參加2016中西部慈青營隊。在這次的慈青營隊，主版單位把這兩天的活動行程規劃得很好，不僅有好吃精緻的點心素菜，還有很多各式各樣的演講和游戲，完全沒有浪費來自各個不同州的慈青們的任何一分鐘。營隊里的活動也非常有意義，從真言上人的早晨傳教到師兄師姐做人的道理的分享會還有大家一起努力的演繹都讓我受益良多，仿佛在我的人生這一本書又增加了一些有深度的内容。

在那麽多活動中，我最喜歡彩虹師姐和Marco師兄的演講的“待人的態度” 。在這段演講中我學到如果想要人見人愛，對一個人的態度是非常重要的。不管本意好壞，嘴巴說出來的話不可以帶有任何的攻擊性，要有智慧和耐心地把自己的想法傳達給他人。這個道理雖然簡單但卻又不是一件很容易就能做到的事。

Brother Alex's class

另外，Alex師兄的演講也很有意思，他説人們雖然每天把身體洗得乾乾净净地但是又有多少人會每天洗滌自己的心靈。人們往往會把生活中的煩惱堆積在心裏，久而久之變得不快樂但是其實衹要腦筋轉個彎，任何不好的事情可能就變得無限渺小所以在這個演講中我學到了不要把昨天的煩惱堆積在心裏，每天用乾净的心靈去做應該做的事，不要三心二意浪費光陰。

在這次的營隊中我也非常開心地和其他慈青們演繹“出泥蓮花”，用手語的方式把出淤泥而不染的道理傳達給大家。在排練手語期間由於時間有限，大家都在師兄師姐的領導下努力地練習，讓我感受到大家團結的力量和感動。

我非常感恩師姑給我這次機會，讓我可以參加這次的芝加哥中西部慈青營隊。我除了學到很多東西以外也結交了不少志同道合朋友。此外，我也想感謝各位師姑師伯師兄師姐在幕後默默地付出，把整個活動進行得那麽順利。

The sign language, 出泥蓮花

2016 Midwest Tzu Ching Retreat Reflection - Amy

2016 Chicago Midwest Retreat Reflection – Amy Chiu

Every TC camp has a common theme, no matter what chapter is hosting it, when it is, or what regions are attending. The feeling of being one big family is always present, even among complete strangers. This year’s Chicago Midwest Retreat was no different. From the arrival to the closing ceremony, there is a sense of unity and belonging, like you have returned home after a long trip away.


Even though I am a TC baby, there are still many volunteers that I meet every year at camps who I have never met before yet we get along as if we are long lost friends who are seeing each other after a long time apart. I believe that TC creates an atmosphere that allows us to create good affinities with each other by providing us with a common ground: compassion towards others. Some might argue that the delicious food provided might also impact our happiness and content but I disagree. The food was amazing but you could easily go to a restaurant and order what you wanted to eat. Everyone is able to get along with each other because the attendees and supporting staff members are not strangers to each other. I don’t mean a literal sense for stranger, obviously the majority of us have never met before yet we are able to look past our differences and work together to learn and make a bigger impact on the world. With all that has been said, I am truly grateful to have the opportunity this year to attend Chicago’s Midwest Retreat as an attendee rather than staff as I had the chance to sit in classes and learn more about other’s thoughts about walking on the TC path and the Dharma. I look forward to all future adventures that I know for a fact that I will have as I walk on the TC path.