Jing Si (Stil Thoughts in English) Aphorisms is a collection of succinct quotations taken from the talks of Master Cheng Yen. In 1989, these quotations were recorded, sorted and first published into a book with the same title. Originally published in Chinese, the aphorisms were translated into different languages including English, Spanish, French and Nihongo for worldwide distribution. When Tzu Chi was established in the Philippines in 1994, the Still Thoughts was also translated in Filipino, Cebuano and Chabacano.

The program consisted of different performances from Tzu Chi volunteers and staff, Tzu Chi Youths, students under the Foundation’s Educational Assistance Program, and long-time friends and guests. The presentations were a mix of Chinese and Filipino cultures that depicted the essence of Master Cheng Yen’s Still Thoughts.

A total of 640 guests including people from different sectors and religions who shared how the Still Thoughts inspired and changed their lives, attended the event.

“I understand that the sayings of Master Cheng Yen and the works of the Tzu Chi volunteers are Christian-like. We are bound of the same great love towards people,” Sister Lorenza Malacas, ICM, of the Queen of Peace’s Convent in Quezon City, shared.

In between tears, Dr. Cheung Lai Chun, member of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) and head of the Tzu Chi Philippines Denture Services stated how she regrets for the time she missed being with her parents because of her busy work. Pondering on the Still Thoughts aphorism “There are two things in life that cannot wait: fulfilling filial piety and doing good deeds,” Dr. Cheung said she was able to realize more the importance of making time for her parents. “Let us not wait for them to pass away before we show them our love and care.”

Eric Ngan of Mitsukoshi Motors, a staunch supporter of the Tzu Chi Foundation, also gave a few words on how he was touched by the Jing Si Aphorisms. Moved by such profound sayings, Ngan stated that they intend to paste up Still Thoughts stickers on every SYM motorcycle that they will put up for sale. Mitsukoshi Motors is the leading distributor and importer of SYM motorcycle parts and machines.

Sister Roos Catry, a Belgian nun who heads the Philippine Orthopedic Center’s Rondalla on Wheels, was quick to pick a Still Thought that her group has performed in various occasions. “The three no’s. There is no one I could not trust, no one I could not love and no one I could not forgive.’ If that would be practiced, just imagine how beautiful our world would be.”

The celebration drew to its end a little before 6:00 pm. Despite the afternoon showers, the guests went home with delight in their hearts and good words to mull over to better their lives.

“The program clearly showed the missions of Tzu Chi Foundation and the heart of the teachings of Master Cheng Yen. I have learned how to value and cherish my parents even more, yet it came to me that I must also extend my love to other people,” Adel Untalasco, a college student said.

Untalasco added that her favorite part of the program was the Ibong Adarna, a story of a mythical bird that cured an ailing monarch and transformed his greedy sons into compassionate individuals. “The story made me realized that I must not be envious or harbor ill feelings towards my siblings. I must bear in mind that we are all treated and loved by our parents equally.”

Good words along the streets

Tzu Chi volunteers have been actively spreading the Still Thoughts sayings to the public. On October 2008, they have started to paste up Still Thoughts stickers on private and public utility vehicles. Only last month, they also pasted up Still Thoughts posters in different establishments in Manila and Quezon City.

On July 4, with the help of the Binondo Volunteer Fire Search and Rescue Brigade, 88 Tzu Chi volunteers marched from Plaza Lorenzo to Chinatown in Binondo, Manila to impart the activity’s message of great love and peace. After the short parade, the volunteers then divided into groups and headed to different streets where they patiently and respectfully entered shops and business establishments, even ambulant vendors, to paste up Still Thoughts stickers.

Out of the three stickers pasted in her 45-year old store, Jimmy Tomas said that what he liked the most was the aphorism “Recognize, appreciate and repay our parents’ love.” “It serves as a reminder for the youth to be respectful to God, to his parents and to all the elderly; and be helpful to his fellowmen as well.” Tomas added that the Still Thoughts aphorisms are best reminders in these times when people forget to value morality and righteousness.

The owner of Mayfair, a newly opened jewelry shop on Ongpin St., did not only ask for a Still Thoughts poster but donated ang pao with P2,000 to Tzu Chi volunteers. She said they are in full support to Tzu Chi because they believe in the causes and visions of the Foundation.

After almost three hours of long walk under the scorching midday heat, the posting event concluded shortly after five in the afternoon. The volunteers had gone to 16 streets in all, including the main roads of Juan Luna, Ongpin, Soler, Recto and Tomas Pinpin. The volunteers were grateful for the warm reception of the whole community. Most of the establishments they went into agreed to let them post the Still Thoughts posters. It is a good sign that many people are willing to spread the seeds and words of love.

On July 17, despite the heavy rains and strong winds brought by typhoon “Isang” (international codename Molave), almost 50 Tzu Chi volunteers pushed through their mission in spreading the Still Thoughts (Jing Si Aphorisms) posters in consenting business shops along Banawe and N.S. Amoranto Streets and E. Rodriquez Sr. and Quezon Avenue.

“At first we were quite discouraged because of the rain. It was more difficult to walk and paste the aphorisms from one store to the next. However, as we saw people appreciating our efforts and welcoming us in their stores, the hardships were transformed into feelings of fulfilment and joy. Eventually, the rain stopped as if the skies cooperated with our activity today,” said Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) volunteer dentist Dr. Anna Oliva.

Meanwhile, when a group of volunteers passed by a car accessory shop along N.S. Amoranto Street, a young boy smilingly approached them and asked for a copy of the Tzu Chi newsletter. When the volunteers asked him why he wanted one, 11-year-old Jessie Remolino said, “I want to read this because I want to know more about Tzu Chi.”

Remolino works as a parking attendant in front of a bakeshop on Banawe Street when he has no classes. When he heard one volunteer voicing off that Master Cheng Yen’s Still Thoughts can help a person understand life’s adversities, he thought of reading the publication of Tzu Chi. Since he could not have a poster, he might as well read the publication instead.

Dr. Benito Ledda, another TIMA member and one of Tzu Chi Philippines’ pioneer volunteer dentists shared his own thoughts about the event. “We are here to spread the inspiring words of Master Cheng Yen. It makes us feel happy that there are many people who could read the sayings and from there contemplate and change their lives for the better. I particularly like ’Recognize, appreciate and repay our parents’ love,’ because it reminds me of the love of my parents, most especially my mother who already passed away. Our parents are the most important persons in our lives. Without them, we would not be here.”