Tzu Chi

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Tzu Chi's logo, representing a lotus.
Tzu Chi's logo, representing a lotus.
Still Thought's Hall of the Tzu-Chi Organization with Hospital on the right
Still Thought's Hall of the Tzu-Chi Organization with Hospital on the right

The Tzu Chi Foundation (traditional Chinese: 慈濟基金會; simplified Chinese: 慈济基金会; pinyin: Cí Jì; Wade-Giles: Tz'u Chi) is one of the three largest Buddhist organizations in Taiwan (the others being Fo Guang Shan and Dharma Drum Mountain). Tzu Chi was founded by Master Cheng Yen, a nun, on April 14, 1966 in Hualien, Taiwan, after she was inspired by her master and mentor, the late Venerable Master Yin Shun ((印順導師, Yin Shun Dao Shi) significant proponent of Humanistic Buddhism) with the great expectation of: "work for Buddhism and for all sentient beings". The society started as a group of thirty housewives who saved a small amount of money each day, and has grown to have approximately 10 million members worldwide today. It is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Whereas many Buddhist societies focus on personal enlightenment and meditation, Tzu Chi focuses on community service and outreach (especially medical, educational, and disaster relief). Today, Tzu Chi is considered to be one of the most effective aid agencies in the region.

Tzu Chi maintains a small number of nuns, and conducts its mission via an international network of volunteers. The volunteers are easily recognized by their uniforms (navy blue shirt with a ship imposed on a lotus flower as a logo on the left breast; white pants, shoes and socks; and a black belt with the same lotus ship logo as a clasp). Tzu Chi relief workers have been known therefore as "blue angels" for their distinctive uniform.

Tzu Chi has many suborganizations, of which the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association (慈濟大專青年聯誼會) being one of the most prominent. With chapters at universities worldwide, Tzu Chi Youth allows the university student to be involved with Tzu Chi's work on both local and international levels. Tzu Chi remains a non-profit organization and has built many hospitals and schools worldwide, including a comprehensive education system within Taiwan spanning from kindergarten through university and medical school.

A mosaic in the main lobby of the Tzu-Chi Hospital in Hualien (Hualian), Taiwan
A mosaic in the main lobby of the Tzu-Chi Hospital in Hualien (Hualian), Taiwan

Contents

[edit] Mission

While the Tzu Chi Foundation has Buddhist origins and beliefs, the organization is also popularly known for its selfless contributions to society in numerous ways in the areas of Charity, Medicine, Education, and Culture. The official motto, or concept behind Tzu Chi Foundation is the (四大志業,八大腳印), which literally means, "four career goals, eight foot prints". The eight foot prints are charity causes, medical contributions, education development, humanities, international disaster assistance, bone-marrow donation, volunteer work, and recycling.

An excerpt from the Official Tzu Chi Global Website,[1], says the following:

We work in missions of Charity, Medicine, Education and Culture with the spirit of sincerity, integrity, trust and honesty. We believe in the equality of all beings and the Buddha-nature potential in every person. Through charitable hearts, the privilege obtain blessings and joy, and the impoverished receive security and peace.

[edit] Public opinion

The organization was heavily criticized in the early 1990s for spending much of its focus in relief efforts outside of Taiwan, but criticism ended after the 921 earthquake, when the organization was able to draw on its logistics experience to provide disaster relief. In contrast to the official government efforts to deal with the disaster, which were considered uncoordinated and haphazard, Tzu-Chi was widely praised for its efforts.[citation needed]

[edit] 2008 Sichuan earthquake aid to mainland China

Due to their apolitical stance, Tzu Chi have been allowed by the Chinese government to expand their activities into Mainland China. The group has built schools, nursing homes, and entire villages including infrastructure in poor inland areas, for example, Guizhou province.

In 2008, Tzu Chi has also send medical aid, volunteers, living utilities and food in response to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

[edit] External links

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