Lighting the Lamp of Love
in Hearts

By Ta-Ming

Following a volcanic eruption in the Philippines in 1991, we received news from our friends in that country about the need for emergency relief. Master immediately assembled the monks and nuns to discuss what to do. Such a discussion was in fact a session for us to learn how to put love into action. Throughout the night, Master discussed with us plans of action and specific ways of implementation. It was also decided to place ads in the newspapers asking compassionate people to join the relief operation.

Master always acts very quickly, and demands the monastic practitioners to act in kind. It is always a unique experience to work with Her. Her way is very different than the way I was accustomed to working outside. Since no time could be wasted if lives were to be saved, within a short while all the advertisements and relevant documents were ready. I worked very hard, but only because Master told me to do so; I didn't feel that I was very compassionate myself. Then, since time was passing quickly, Master decided to send a team of monks and nuns to do whatever could be done. I was chosen to be a member of the team.

The climate was very hot in the Philippines, and outside of Manila, the whole country was covered with ash. It was a tragic sight. We spent every day of our stay purchasing large quantities of food, utensils, and basic necessities, and then packing them into boxes so they could be delivered to the affected areas the following day. We soon received help from a general who offered an indoor basketball court at an air base where we could store the relief provisions. That saved a lot of time in transportation, and increased our efficiency. The air base assigned a soldier to guard the goods for us. In the beginning, he had little respect for us. But day and night, he watched this group of foreigners busily packing sugar, salt and rice, not taking any time for sleep, and then going out in trucks at daybreak to offer relief provisions to his fellow countrymen in the affected areas. The group usually returned at dusk, and took no rest then, either.

After a while, the wives and children of the soldiers living nearby came in and began to work with us, packing the same way we packed. Due to the language barrier, we were unable to converse with each other, yet the atmosphere was warm and we felt very close. It was a beautiful sight. With their help, we were able to leave earlier for Manila, where we placed long distance calls to report our progress to Master.

It was midnight when we left the basketball court, and the soldier on guard was asleep. We had to inform him of our departure and ask him to lock the door, so I went to wake him up. When he opened his eyes and saw me, he took my hand and placed it on his forehead; starlight was sparkling in his eyes. I was surprised at first, but then I realized that Master's love had reached deep into his soul, and he was only expressing his utmost appreciation. I was extremely touched. I knew that I had not been doing this job out of love, but the change in this soldier lit a lamp in my heart. I am now willing to light, with my humble lamp, this world that is desperately in need of brightness. This incident made a deep impression on my mind for a very long time.

If Master had not sent me with the disaster relief team, I would not have seen the suffering in this world so clearly, nor could I have liberated myself from my selfish heart. As love grows in my heart, I will never be able to live in that narrow world again. This incident brought me to the realization that we can use sincerity and right actions to light the brightest of lamps in the heart of each sentient being.

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