證嚴上人=Dharma Master Cheng Yen; 行經=action on the canon; 身安樂行=peaceful practice of the body; 口安樂行=peaceful practice of the speech; 意安樂行=peaceful practice of the mindfulness; 誓願安樂=peaceful practice of taking great vows; 慈濟志工=Tzu Chi volunteers
This thesis confers Tzu Chi volunteers’ action on the canon based on Lotus Sutra, Section of Peaceful Practice. Methods such as data research, sutra analysis, field observation, and case studies are adopted to examine whether Tzu Chi volunteers succeed in finding spiritual peace and enjoying the joy of giving through performing the Four Missions and Eight Footprints of Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. By employing four essentials of Lotus Sutra, Section of Peaceful Practice-- peaceful practice of the body, peaceful practice of the speech, peaceful practice of the mindfulness, peaceful practice of taking great vows, the study ascertains that Tzu Chi volunteers’ actions on the canon, which follow guidelines from Dharma Master Cheng Yen, are modern practices of walking on the path of the Bodhisattvas. These actions are also corresponding to the section of peaceful practice in the Lotus Sutra. Following Master Cheng Yen’s guidance, Tzu Chi volunteers have to not only devote time and effort when volunteering, but also achieve four special norms— wear smile on face, speak in sweet and gentle tone, be modest when communicating, and be proactive when providing service. This thesis aims to explain how these special norms echo perfectly with the four essentials of Lotus Sutra, Section of Peaceful Practice. Wearing smile on face fits the peaceful practice of the body, speaking in sweet and gentle tone accomplishes the peaceful practice of the speech; having a mildly attitude conforms peaceful practice of the mindfulness; and proactive approach makes possible for executing the committed great vows. Anyone who could accomplish the four norms must be a precepts follower with a great heart, and must find it’s easy to do good deeds or help others no matter where he or she goes. In fact, four peaceful practices go straight through The Four Siddhantas. The denotation of Peaceful Practice of Lotus Sutra is to preach to people about the truth of Lotus Sutra, especially about the four peaceful practices. To employ the peaceful practice of the body, speech, mindfulness, and great vows, and let one’s behavior never depart from Great Compassion; to cultivate Buddhism and let one’s heart as kind as the Buddha’s heart, these actions are the instructions of the Sutra from Buddha’s heart. The core value of Master Cheng Yen’s volunteering philosophy is to “work for Buddhism and for all living beings”. She encourages Tzu Chi volunteers to consider themselves as humanitarian Bodhisattva with kindness, compassion, joy, and unselfish giving. Their “do what you said, say what you did” spirit is also a great characteristic of their practice on the canon.
