Dear guide, brothers and sisters, greetings! Recently, the construction of the Thailand Home has been progressing with great enthusiasm. Over the past two weeks, Brother Fo has led the team to complete the tile installation in the main hall and the roofing and window installation for four bedrooms. The ecological composting toilet and the wooden bridge leading to it are nearly finished. Additionally, Brothers Fo and Long have meticulously crafted six beds. The progress and achievements are truly remarkable!
From everyone’s dedication and the passionate songs sung by Brothers Fo and Long during their late-night work sessions, we sense that this effort is not merely about completing construction tasks within a limited time. It reflects a state of total immersion and burning enthusiasm. They seem to have entered a state of peak experience—difficult for outsiders to comprehend but deeply felt by those involved, experiencing a profound joy and fulfillment that knows no fatigue.
In the Home, even seemingly ordinary labor carries a pure and selfless LIFE experience. This might be one of the secrets to attaining the state of celestial beings and Buddhas—forgetting oneself in devotion, thereby transcending and achieving the self. Every member who joins the Second Home must pass through the “labor test” by participating in physical work. Only through firsthand experience can one truly understand the hardships of the working masses, deeply respect and love laborers, and develop genuine empathy for them. This shared experience aligns with the grand aspiration of building a harmonious and joyful new era for humanity, turning ideals into action.
In the Second Home of Lifechanyuan, humble, hardworking laborers are the most respected and welcomed. They may not be eloquent or adept at philosophy, but whatever physical task they undertake, they approach it with joy, tranquility, and dedication, displaying hearts as pure as crystal and as radiant as gold through their actions and smiles.
Here, labor is no longer the struggle or obligation imposed by the mundane society for survival. Instead, it is the primary need of our lives and the source of our happiness and fulfillment. Through labor, everyone connects with the rhythm of nature, becoming a part of it. Labor drives away distractions, bringing inner peace, and allows us to learn and contemplate the wonders of nature’s Dao.
For new members transitioning from secular society to life in the Home and beginning physical labor, it is undoubtedly a challenging process. It requires physical endurance, perseverance, and a shift in attitudes formed in the secular world toward physical work. Initially, labor may feel burdensome and exhausting, but with persistence, one discovers that inner restlessness, laziness, and arrogance gradually fade away. While the body engages in intense labor, the heart becomes lighter, more joyful, pure, and grounded.
Over time, as we adapt, when the hoe gently yet firmly strikes the soil, when we witness and nurture seedlings growing from the ground to bloom and bear fruit, when the sound of the shovel synchronizes with the rhythm of nature, steady and harmonious, when laughter and joy echo across every corner of the work site—the once difficult tasks transform into happiness. Labor becomes a delightful game, allowing us to experience the extraordinary and miraculous Dao of nature through seemingly ordinary tasks.
Of course, the Home does not solely emphasize the importance of labor. We equally cherish the beauty and enjoyment of life: abundant food, stunning natural scenery, moments of leisure, heartfelt friendships, sweet love, and collective games and dances. These are the precious rewards granted by the Greatest Creator after our labor. Under the serene night sky, we sing and dance freely, reveling in joy. With hearts full of gratitude and happiness, we celebrate our beautiful life, silently sharing this love and grace, and wishing that more people can lead truly happy and peaceful lives.
2024-12-25
