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The best of both worlds
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Textile tycoon, Huang Huade (黃華德) was blessed with cash and believed he had it all. However, the successful businessman was proven wrong, when a relief mission to China for Tzu Chi made him realize he was lacking something in life. Instead of only channeling his talent to make money, Huang discovered he could combine charity and business together. Today, he is one of the founders of Tzu Chi's Da Ai Technology Company; and is forging ahead to produce eco-friendly, functional and fashionable garments. Let's travel back to when it all began.
Tzu Chi volunteer, Huang Huade:
"Good morning everyone! Okay, so you're probably wondering why your chairman is thanking you. Well, it's because you've all been managing your positions exceptionally well that I can volunteer outside without worrying about the company."
< A fresh start >
Employees at Texma International Co., Ltd with the Monday morning blues are quickly cured by a dosage of Master Cheng Yen's wisdom at the start of the week.
Tzu Chi volunteer, Huang Huade:
"We shouldn't use petroleum and recycle instead. So what can we do for the company? We can think long-term wise, give to society, not harm the Earth. Our products will help the planet, and will preserve its natural resources."
Beginning from 1995, their chairman, Huang Huade (黃華德) has been spending one hour to share his experiences as a Tzu Chi volunteer to inspire more environmentalists. However, Huang's wife says her husband used to be interested in another kind of green.
Huang Huade's wife, Li Shi:
"He basically played golf every day. There are only 7 days in a week, but he'll play for 8. According to him, people normally played for 18 holes, but him, it was 36 holes or 54 holes. He did it all."
< Love works in mysterious ways >
So what impelled Huang Huade (黃華德) to take on Tzu Chi's humanitarian missions? The one time his wife was not at home waiting for him.
Tzu Chi volunteer, Huang Huade:
"I was contemplating if I should call the police. I was frantically worried because I didn't know what happened. At first I was unhappy but then I became anxious. Finally it occurred to me that she's always waiting for me, I felt so ashamed."
Huang Huade's wife, Li Shi:
"Well, my friend was hosting a Tzu Chi tea party, so I really wanted to attend because there were people sharing their Tzu Chi experiences. I went after work to listen. I was completely absorbed in my happiness that I forgot the time."
Huang wondered as to why people were drawn to Tzu Chi. He found the answer on a trip to Hualien.
Tzu Chi volunteer, Huang Huade:
"The Master said to me if I don't like to read books or study, then it's pointless for me to learn the sutras. Rather, she told me I don't have to read, I just need to do it."
The worst floods of the century devastated eastern and western China in May and June of 1991. Over 220 million people loss their properties. It was the first time Tzu Chi made contact with mainland China. Tzu Chi set up a special postal account to accept donations to help the victims. Master Cheng Yen donated half of her US$30,000 Magsaysay Award for flood victims in China.
Tzu Chi volunteer, Huang Huade:
"Once you've touched another person's heart, they'll want to do the same too. Or let's say, when you visit a village and the locals grasp your hands in their coarse hands and look into your eyes; it's very moving. You feel complete inside. The Master says, your achievements are not based on how successful your business is or how much you earn; instead it's about how much you can you do to assist others. If you do it for yourself, it means nothing. If you can accomplish in giving without asking for anything in return, then you'll be free of suffering and accumulate spiritual wealth."
< True calling found at unlikely time >
Huang Huade (黃華德) became inspired to give more after going on a flood disaster relief mission to Central and Eastern China in 1991. Since, Huang had a Shanghai-based office and immediately accepted the responsibility to provide aid supplies, clothing, and blankets.
< Innovative eco-concept >
These blankets made from recycled PET plastic bottles are products of Tzu Chi International Humanitarian Association, TIHAA. Its main purpose it so supply relief goods for Tzu Chi relief missions. And as one of the founders, Huang and others felt it was also important to keep the planet in mind during their goodwill crusades.
< Achieving the unimaginable >
Huang even developed an ambitious plan to spread Tzu Chi's recycling initiative and the eco-concept behind the Tzu Chi's blankets derived from PET-bottles worldwide.
< Two sides of the same coin >
After nearly a decade, Huang Huade (黃華德) is a veteran philanthropist and still abides to the Master's advice of simply to 'just do it'. Aside from gaining spiritual enlightenment and happiness, Huang made a great discovery too. He realized business does not have to be profit-oriented; instead it can function to serve a higher purpose - the greater good for humanity.
Tzu Chi volunteer, Huang Huade:
"We hope to eventually bring some of Tzu Chi's eco-design into the international market to consumers world-wide. So everyone will acknowledge and associate Tzu Chi's logo as an eco-friendly brand. I think this is our mission."
德士馬企業的黃華德，擁有一切的榮華富貴，感到幸福，但是這位成功的企業家到中國參與慈濟賑災活動後，發現生活中似乎缺少什麼，證明了自己錯了，他發現何不把自己做生意賺錢的天賦讓企業與行善做結合，如今他是大愛感恩科技的發起人之ㄧ，也帶領製作環保、具功能又流行的衣服，一起來看看他是如何開始這項志業的。
慈濟志工 黃華德：「各位同仁，大家早安，為什麼董事長要跟各位說謝謝？由於你們大家堅守崗位，讓我對公司無牽掛，可以到外面去做志工，做利益人群的事情。」
德士馬企業的員工每周一早上就會齊聚一起，分享上人法語，治療心靈上的不悅，當作一周新的開始。
慈濟志工 黃華德：「我們不該使用化學肥料，應該要環保，我們要為我們企業做什麼呢？我們做一個遠景，我們要付出，不傷害地球，我們商品要保護地球，不浪費地球資源。」
從1995年開始，負責人黃華德會花上一個小時的時間，以慈濟志工的身分跟大家分享，鼓勵更多人加入環保行列，不過他的妻子說，先生以前愛的是另一種綠色的活動。
黃華德妻子 李時：「以前他幾乎每天在打球，反正七天他幾乎打八天，就是說人家打球是十八個洞，他是三十六洞、五十四洞，他都照樣打。」
是什麼動力讓黃華德承擔起慈濟人文志業的任務呢？竟是有一天他等候晚歸的妻子。
慈濟志工 黃華德：「我當時一直想說要不要報警，我很擔心，因為不知道發生什麼事情，從不高興變成有點緊張，我發覺我過去都是她等我，心裡就覺得慚愧起來。」
黃華德妻子 李時：「因為我朋友家有慈濟茶會，我就很想去聽，因為慈濟人講慈濟的故事，我下班以後就去聽，聽了太開心了，就忘記時間了。」
黃華德好奇慈濟這個團體，也跟著妻子回到花蓮見證嚴法師。
慈濟志工 黃華德：「就跟師父講說我不愛看書，也不喜歡讀書，看經更不用講了，師父說你不用看書，做就對了。」
1991年五月六月，大陸華中華東發生大水患，造成2億2千萬人 損失財產，這是首次開啟慈濟與大陸的因緣，慈濟也成立募心活動幫助受災民眾，證嚴上人還捐出3萬美元的獎項幫助中國災民。
慈濟志工 黃華德：「當你感動人家，人家跟你一道去做，或是到災區，鄉親用粗礦的手握著你，眼睛相對，就是很感動，你就覺得很有意義，就是師父講的，你的成就不在於你事業多大多有錢，而是你那一份心，你能幫助人家多少，都為自己有什麼了不起，能夠付出無所求幫助人家，離苦得樂，那份心才是有價值的。」
1991年大陸華中華東發生大水患後，黃華德自願付出，當時他的公司已在上海設辦事處，承擔起採購賑災物資棉衣和棉被的任務。
這些毛毯都是利用回收寶特瓶製作而成的成品，是「慈濟國際人道救援會」簡稱人援會的重點發展項目之一，主要是救援、提供物資，其中一位發起人黃華德和其他人，都認為行善時也要把環保的重要性放在心中。黃華德甚至發展出一個雄大的計畫，就是散播慈濟環保理念，和慈濟從各地收集而來的寶特瓶製成毛毯的背後環保理念。
10年後，黃華德是個資深慈善家，也遵從上人做就對了的指示，除了獲得心靈的啟發與歡喜之外，黃華德也發現了更多，他了解到企業不需要以營利為主，反而可以把它營造出具有更高價值的目的，就是行善。
慈濟志工 黃華德：「我們希望有更多環保的設計，將來把慈濟的商標國際化、普遍化，整個紡織業、成衣業能夠在師父這個商標下從事生產，讓大家認同慈濟做環保的商標。」
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