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is a historical series documenting the development of the Tzu Chi Foundation. This book covers its foundational years, detailing how Master Cheng Yen's simple aspiration, "For Buddha's teachings, for all living beings," led to a global movement.
This volume documents Tzu Chi's origins from 1966 to 1978, tracing its expansion from Hualien, eastern Taiwan, across the island. It includes the "Bamboo Bank Era," where thirty housewives saved fifty cents daily, and the establishment of free medical clinics in 1972, which addressed the intertwined issues of poverty and illness. It further examines key events and Tzu Chi's distinct approach to charity, including systematic home visits, providing aid, and promoting principles of "equal giving" and "giving without expectation." These early actions established a model for engaged compassionate action, demonstrating how spiritual principles could be applied in society.
Providing a detailed account of Tzu Chi's early development, this is valuable reading for students, academics, and researchers in Buddhist Studies, Asian Studies, Religious Studies, Sociology, as well as anyone interested in social welfare, Buddhist philanthropy, or the history of modern Taiwan.
List of contents
Words from Master Cheng YenForewordEditor's PrefaceBeginningsPART I 1966 to 1971 Humble Beginnings: The Bamboo Bank Era 1. 1966 The Founding of Tzu Chi
2. 1967 Practicing the Dharma Widely
3. 1968 A Resolve to Relieve Suffering
4. 1969 The Spiritual Home
5. 1970 Winter Aid Traditions
6. 1971 Rebuilding Hope for Survivors
PART II 1972 to 1978 Sowing Seeds of Goodness: Cultivating Fields of Merit7. 1972 Expanding Fields of Merit
8. 1973 Responding to Crisis
9. 1974 Pioneering Compassion
10. 1975 Reconstruction and Resilience
11. 1976 Island-Wide Community Care
12. 1977 Mobilizing Relief
13. 1978 Creating a Sanctuary
Appendix A: Major Milestones of Tzu Chi (1966-1978)Appendix B: Names Index
About the author
Rey-Sheng Her, PhD, is Deputy CEO of the Tzu Chi Foundation and an Associate Scholar at Harvard FAS CAMLab, USA. He teaches Philanthropy and Philosophy at Tzu Chi University, Taiwan and Nanjing University, China. His research explores altruism and how goodness can be applied in the economy, governance, and society.
Rei-Ling Lai, PhD, is Director of Tzu Chi Foundation's Department of Literature and History in Taiwan. Her doctoral research on organizational memory and disaster management supports this historical documentation.
