Tzu Chi

The Tzu Chi Foundation or Tzu Chi, literally "Compassionate, Relief", is an international humanitarian organization and the largest non-governmental organization (NGO) in the Chinese-speaking world. with a special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

The organization was founded by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, a Buddhist nun, on May 14, 1966 in Hualien, Taiwan. She was inspired by her master and mentor, the late Venerable Master Yin Shun (印順導師, Yìn Shùn dǎoshī), a significant proponent of Humanistic Buddhism, who exhorted her to: "work for Buddhism and for all sentient beings."

In mountainous Hualien, Master Cheng Yen was moved to act by the poverty and lack of services, and decided to set up a charity organization. The endeavor began as a group of thirty housewives who set aside a small amount of their grocery money each day to care for needy families. From these humble beginnings, the group has grown to become a major civil society actor, with approximately 10 million members, and chapters in 47 countries. The group's core activities span Charity, Medicine, Education and Humanistic Culture, and it provides aid to all people regardless of race, religion or nationality. With particularly deep roots in Asia, Tzu Chi is considered one of the most effective aid agencies in the region.

Tzu Chi conducts its mission via an international network of volunteers. They are easily recognized by their blue and white uniforms, and Tzu Chi relief workers have been called "blue angels" for this distinctive appearance. Tzu Chi volunteers often refer to their uniforms as 藍天白雲 (lántiān báiyún, lit. 'blue sky, white clouds').

Tzu Chi Foundation also has the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association (慈濟大專青年) or Tzu Youth (慈青) in short. They actively do the four missions of Tzu Chi especially charity work. They also promote vegetarianism make the youth generation be aware of world issues and environmental protection.

Tzu Chi has several sub-organizations, such as the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA), composed of medical profession personnel who travel overseas to volunteer their services in poor communities without access to medical care and during international disaster relief.

As a non-profit organization, Tzu Chi has built many hospitals and schools worldwide, including a network of world-class medical facilities in Taiwan and a comprehensive education system spanning from kindergarten through university and medical school. Schools were also rebuilt in the aftermath of earthquakes in Iran, China and Haiti. The organization maintains a small number of nuns, who are self-sufficient, including growing their own food.

Read more about Tzu Chi:  Mission, Activities, Recycling, Buddhism, Tzu Chi Logo, Public Opinion, Work in China, Tzu Ching, Tzu Shao, Da Ai Television Channels

Famous quotes containing the word tzu:

    When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
    —Sun Tzu (6–5th century B.C.)