Tzu Chi

Tzu Chi, formally the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, is a Taiwanese international humanitarian and non-governmental organization (NGO). It was founded in 1966 by Buddhist nun Master Cheng Yen in Hualien, Taiwan. Originally starting as a small group of thirty housewives who saved small amounts of money daily to help the needy, Tzu Chi has grown into one of the largest Buddhist organizations in the world and one of Taiwan's largest NGOs.

Tzu Chi's missions encompass charity, medicine, education, humanistic culture, disaster relief, bone marrow donation, environmental protection, and community volunteering. These "Eight Footprints" guide the organization's activities around the globe.

Key aspects of Tzu Chi's operations include:

• Charity: Providing financial assistance, food, clothing, and shelter to those in need, particularly the poor, elderly, and disabled.
• Medicine: Operating hospitals, clinics, and mobile medical units to provide healthcare services, often at reduced or no cost to patients. Tzu Chi also promotes preventative medicine and health education.
• Education: Establishing schools and universities, and providing scholarships and educational support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The organization emphasizes character development and values-based education.
• Humanistic Culture: Promoting Buddhist principles of compassion, respect, and gratitude. Tzu Chi seeks to cultivate a culture of kindness and empathy through its activities and publications.
• Disaster Relief: Responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises around the world by providing emergency aid, medical care, and long-term reconstruction assistance. Tzu Chi's disaster relief efforts are known for their speed, efficiency, and cultural sensitivity.
• Bone Marrow Donation: Maintaining a large bone marrow registry and facilitating transplants for patients with leukemia and other blood disorders.
• Environmental Protection: Promoting environmental awareness and encouraging recycling, waste reduction, and sustainable living. Tzu Chi operates recycling centers and organizes environmental cleanup campaigns.
• Community Volunteering: Engaging volunteers in local communities to address social needs and promote community development.

Tzu Chi emphasizes a philosophy of "walking bodhisattvas" – ordinary people engaging in acts of compassion to alleviate suffering and improve the world. The organization's volunteers play a crucial role in its operations, contributing their time, skills, and resources to support its various missions. Tzu Chi is funded primarily through donations from its members and supporters.