In order to encourage the general public to participate in the charitable activities, Grand Master Da Feng understood the need to simplify the philosophy for charity. He promotes this objective by expounding how we can bring assistance to people when they go through the various stages in their lives, namely: Birth, Ageing, Sickness, Death and Suffering. Seen in today’s context, the wisdom emanating from principles expounded in the Divine Instructions serve as a guide to inspire our spirit of carrying out charitable work.
BIRTH
Life at birth comes with the capability to reproduce, nurture and ensuring the continuity of mankind. However, if the concern is only to reproduce; not to nurture and educate, then the person will grow up ignorant. Hence, schools have been established for educating the young and to develop them to be useful citizens. From this perspective, believers shall support education through making monetary contributions toward scholarship funds, the building and operation costs of schools and institutions of higher learning. This is considered a great act of kindness.
AGEING
While supporting our elders, we must not forget those elderly who are not related to us. The same applies when bringing up our young. We must not forget those children who are not related to us. The previous generations typically toil in the past to bring up their children. When one grows old, they might not have adequate support nor have families, thus; as believers, we must help to raise funds to establish homes for the aged. This honorable activity is to bring comfort to the lives of the needy aged in their twilight years and is recognized as a great act of kindness.
SICKNESS
Mankind will invariably fall sick from various illnesses stemming from hard labour at work or other reasons. Although we live in a society which has state-of-the-art medical institutions to provide health care, we should do our utmost to complement such health services to save lives. Setting up charitable hospitals, clinics or helping to raise funds to support various medical and health programs are regarded as great acts of kindness.
DEATH
Death is a natural process marking the end of life. As we respect the living, we must also respect the deceased. The living is expected to attend to final rituals and bring internal peace to the souls of the deceased. Hence, if the deceased have no one to take care of their final rites, our believers ought to contribute toward the funeral arrangement including the costs of the coffin and burial rites. This is indeed a great act of kindness.
SUFFERINGS
Events in the world are unpredictable and likewise, life has its turmoil. The less fortunate often face unpleasant experiences which could be forced upon on them by circumstances leading to them enduring various sufferings and illnesses. The more fortunate who are enjoying a blessed life must stretch out a helping hand to the less fortunate. This can be through the form of voluntary work, communicating and understanding their hardships. This will bring comfort and relief to the sufferings of the less fortunate and is seen as a great act of kindness.