By the Hsihu news group, Formosa.
After group meditation, fellow initiates happily take the bags of cabbage home.
There was a surplus of cabbage and Chinese cabbage last autumn, which the government bought up in order to protect the farmers and stabilize prices. Within a few days, more than ten thousand tons, one truckload after another, of fresh and beautiful vegetables were dumped at the pumping ground, piled up like a hill.
After the resident disciples at the Hsihu Center learnt this, they drove trucks to the dumping ground every day and picked up the discarded vegetables. Apart from taking some to various group meditation centers for fellow practitioners to take home as they wished, the Hsihu Center also made the best out of the vegetables. They cooked many delicious dishes, pickled, dried and processed by other methods, cabbage was served in their everyday meals as well as at the major group meditations on Sundays. They also asked fellow practitioners to take the vegetables to the orphanages and homes for the elderly near their homes.
Being able to contribute a little effort in cherishing God's grace, the fellow practitioners who participated in the event were very happy, because it was also an exercise of putting Master's teachings into action.
By resident disciple in Hsihu, Formosa
Coming to Hsihu on Sundays, you may have tasted the lichees from the Taichung Center, the coconuts from Laiyi, the pears from Taitung, and of course the pomelos - native produce of Hsihu! These insignificant tokens of love are the contributions of fellow initiates everywhere, the fruit of their love and effort. As to the vegetables which are the essentials of each meal, very often they are the earthly friends that come from brother Cheng's fields.
Apart from his duty of working diligently, he feels that spiritual practice has brought about an intimate relationship between he and his vegetables. He has experienced how to cooperate with nature and Creation. At the same time, he has developed a cool and calm attitude toward life.
He mentioned that if vegetables are planted too close together, the space for growing is insufficient, and the nutrition is not evenly distributed. However, if they are planted too far apart, again they will not grow well. It seems, that if they are not united as a group, like in group meditation, they lack a mutually beneficial relationship. From the laws of vegetable growth, we can also observe the spirit of the middle way.
He does not neglect profit making. However, before deciding on a farming project, he first investigates the statistics of supply and demand, considers the growing season of the produce, and assesses information regarding the deployment of farming produce being grown throughout the country. Then, he concentrates on nurturing his vegetables to maintain exquisite quality, which guarantees him a desirable price in the market. This is a successful example of using in life the wisdom, concentration and calmness developed from his spiritual practice.
This modern farmer has many new ideas. It is sometimes difficult to introduce them to traditional farmers with generations of experience in the profession. Brother Cheng seldom explains himself in words, but proves his ability through working results. Gradually, he has become a consultant and a model for other farmers to follow.
For instance, brother Cheng has discovered that, if produce in a field is crushed to act as fertilizer because of over-planting, the subsequent produce from this field will fail to grow well or get a good price. His feeling is that, because the vegetables are so compassionate, they are willing to sacrifice themselves as food for humans. However, should they be treated unjustly, and feel the grudging sentiments of the farmers, the vital force that nourishes this field will be impaired. Therefore, he advises farmers to give their surplus crops to people as gifts. One small grain can grow into a tall stem bearing innumerable rice grains. Similarly, God will not overlook our small kind gesture; therefore more desirable rewards will result.
Brother Cheng thinks that perhaps the Government, instead of letting these surplus vegetables that they purchase rot in heaps, should give them to the army, the hospitals, orphanages and old folks homes. Or, even follow Master's example of treating the whole world as one family, and give them to the poor countries in need. We should really pay attention to the fact that human beings are wasting God's grace, and not cherishing His blessings.