About Tzu-Chi Foundation

The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation is an international charity organization based in Taiwan. It is devoted to its four missions of charity, health care, education, and culture & publisher for all humankind.

The Tzu-Chi Foundation was founded in 1966 by a Buddhist Master, Master Cheng Yen, with her five 5 disciples and thirty followers. At that time, the Tzu-Chi Foundation was supported with 50 cents in New Taiwan (NT) dollar (about 0.02 US dollars) of daily savings from these thirty households, and the sell proceeds of baby shoes sewed by the disciples. With the determination to help the needy, the sincerity to give, and with Master Cheng Yen's leadership, the Tzu-Chi Foundation has brought hope and happiness to many. For this reason, the Tzu-Chi Foundation has gained many followers. Currently there are close to 4 million members throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and North and South America, with numerous branch offices around the globe.
Since its inception, the Tzu-Chi Foundation has provided food, material goods, financial supports, scholarships, medical services, and medical supplies to the poor and the disaster victims. Many other Tzu Chi establishments also came into being, including: A nursing home for the lonely elderly was established in the late 1960s Tzu-Chi General Hospital, dedicated to serving the poor, was opened in 1986. Buddhist Tzu-Chi Free Clinic in the United States was established in 1993. Tzu-Chi College of Medicine was established in 1994. Tzu-Chi Academy, U.S.A. was established in 1994.
Because most of its members are Chinese, the Tzu Chi Foundation may not be as well known in the English-speaking communities. Nevertheless, an excellent article about Tzu-Chi and Master Cheng Yen appeared in the November 1992 issue of the Canadian Readers Digest. In 1991, Master Cheng Yen was awarded the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award from Singapore (which is equivalent to the Asian Nobel Peace Price) for her community leadership. Master Cheng Yen was nominated for the Nobel Peace Price in 1993.
As a side note: In July 1993, the parents of singers Michael and Janet Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Jackson, visited Master Cheng Yen and extended invitation to receive two honorary awards in the United States to be given by President Clinton in September and the Jackson family in December. However, stating that the purpose of religion lay in saving people, not garnering awards, Master Cheng Yen graciously declined the invitation.
As of September, 1994, Tzu-Chi had accumulated more than 28 years of dedicated service. The Foundation has distributed over NT$1.2 billion to countless needy people around the world and claimed almost 4,000,000 members worldwide, with more than 16,000 members in the United States. The eight-page newspaper Tzu-Chi Companion Semimonthly (Chinese) enjoyed an international circulation of 600,000; The magazine Tzu-Chi Monthly (Chinese), 100,000; and the American Tzu-Chi World Journal monthly newsletter (Chinese and English), nearly 30,000. More than sheer numbers, Tzu-Chi provides immeasurable love and emotional support to all who comes across its way. The spirit of Tzu-Chi will assuredly continue and prosper.

J.C. Chiao