My Reflection After Visiting the Nursing Home on August 2

By Kathy Lam, Rosemead Subchapter

Today, 8/2/2026, our Rosemead Subchapter and Westminster Subchapter visited the residents at Rosemead Health Care Center and the Santa Anita Community Hospital Nursing Home respectively.  Through this caring outreach, we were able to bring BLIA member’s compassion, warmth, and blessings to the elderly.

Today’s visit was deeply moving for me. Before arriving at the nursing home, I knew what I might see.  I expected to meet elderly residents who were frail or confined to wheelchairs.  Yet when I stood before them physically, I realized I was not emotionally prepared for that.  Seeing so many residents sitting quietly in wheelchairs, with gray hair and fragile bodies, touched my heart far more deeply than I had imagined.  Many could no longer move freely or express themselves, and I couldn’t hold back my tears.

At that moment, I realized the difference between understanding impermanence with my mind and experiencing it with my heart. The Buddha teaches us that aging, illness, and death are inevitable, and Venerable Master Hsing Yun often reminds us to cherish our blessings and create blessings by serving others.  Standing before these elderly residents, those teachings were no longer just words; they became a living lesson.  I felt deep gratitude for my own health and for the precious opportunity to practice compassion through serving others.

Although I felt sadness, I also felt profound gratitude.  I realized how meaningful our visit was.  Through our singing, dancing, Tai Chi, health exercises, smiles, and conversations, we were able to bring warmth, companionship, and joy to the residents, even if only for a short while. Perhaps our visit brightened their day, but in truth, they also taught us a precious lesson about compassion, gratitude, and cherishing every moment of life.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun often taught us that practicing Buddhism is not only about chanting or studying the sutras, but about bringing the Dharma into our daily lives through compassionate action.  He encouraged us to practice the Four Givings,

“To give others confidence; to give others hope;
to give others joy; and to give others convenience.”

During today’s visit, I truly understood the meaning of these teachings.  A sincere smile, a gentle greeting, a caring conversation, or simply holding someone’s hand may seem like small act, but to someone who feels lonely or forgotten, it can become a source of comfort, hope, and happiness.

One part of the program especially touched me.  I absolutely loved the song that accompanied the Tai Chi performance. Although I had heard the song before, I had never imagined how beautifully it could be paired with Tai Chi movements.  The music blended perfectly with the graceful motions, creating such a profound sense of harmony, peace, and elegance.  Every movement flowed effortlessly with the rhythm, making the entire performance feel natural and deeply moving.  It wasn’t just a Tai Chi demonstration; it felt like a beautiful expression of mindfulness, balance, and inner tranquility.  Watching and listening at the same time brought me a deep sense of serenity and joy. It reminded me that art, music, and mindful movement are all wonderful skillful means to bring peace to people’s hearts and to embody Humanistic Buddhism.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun also taught that “Compassion is the foundation of Buddhism, and joy is the method of helping others”.  Today’s visit reminded me that while we may not be able to change the reality of old age or illness, we can always choose to respond with kindness, respect, and compassion. Sometimes, the greatest gift we can offer is simply our presence and a caring heart.

I am deeply grateful to Venerable Ruhang for compassionately leading this meaningful activity and to every Dharma brother and sister who generously gave their time, energy, and love to serve others. Today’s visit reminded me to cherish the present moment, appreciate my health, cultivate diligently, and continue practicing compassion through action rather than words alone.

May we continue to follow the compassionate vows of the Buddhas and the teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun by walking the Bodhisattva path together.  May we bring hope to the hopeless, comfort to the lonely, joy to those who are suffering, and the light of Humanistic Buddhism to every corner of society.

May all beings be healthy, peaceful, and free from suffering.

Photo courtesy of Rosemead Subchapter