Tzu Chi's 58th anniversary: Jing Si Abode held the Medicine Buddha Dharma Service, reciting the Medicine Buddha Sutra. | Photo by Ming-dao Luo | Jing Si Abode, Hualien, Taiwan | 2024/05/02

On the 24th day of the 3rd lunar month (May 14, 1966), the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Association was founded, marking the start of Tzu Chi's altruistic endeavors. Since then, Tzu Chi’s founder, Master Cheng Yen, has led Tzu Chi volunteers globally with the principle of "unconditional loving-kindness and universal compassion," devoted to spreading the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Global Tzu Chi Day: the second Sunday of May each year

In 1986, Tzu Chi marked its 20th anniversary with a special focus on preparing for the opening of Tzu Chi Hospital, which became a major priority, overshadowing the usual Dharma assembly. After this milestone, Tzu Chi's educational initiatives thrived, leading to the establishment of the Tzu Chi Junior College of Nursing in 1989 and Tzu Chi University in 1994. Upon reaching its 30th anniversary, Master Cheng Yen officially designated the second Sunday of May each year as Global Tzu Chi Day, a celebration embraced by Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide. During this memorable year, over 400 volunteers from 17 countries came together for the inaugural Global Tzu Chi Spirituality Retreat, exchanging insights and reinforcing Tzu Chi's global impact.

At 7 am on May 2, Taiwan time, Tzu Chi volunteers at Vulture Peak in India, connected online with the Jing Si Abode in Taiwan. Vulture Peak (Gridhakuta) is sacred site of Buddhism where the Buddha expounded the Dharma, most importantly the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Local volunteers along with those from Malaysia and Taiwan joined to perform the Tzu Chi song, "On Vulture Peak" in sign language, wishing for the enduring love and compassion of Tzu Chi. | Photo provided by Tzu Chi Foundation | Vulture Peak, India | 2024/05/02

In 2022, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide shifted to online connections to join the Medicine Buddha Dharma Service, marking the 56th anniversary. Despite the changing social landscape, Tzu Chi's commitment to compassion, loving-kindness, joy, and equanimity remains steadfast.

Praying for the World through the Lotus Sutra

This year, with the pandemic behind us, on May 2, the lunar 24th day of the 3rd month, the 58th anniversary celebrations at the Jing Si Abode began with morning recitations of the Lotus Sutra, the Medicine Buddha Dharma Service, pilgrimages, an exhibition on the Buddha’s Footprint, and various other activities. Tzu Chi Foundation warmly invited local residents affected by the 0403 earthquake in Hualien to participate in the anniversary events, signifying blessings for Taiwan and prayers for the world.

Tzu Chi commissioners visited Mrs. Tseng Lin, the first care recipient of Tzu Chi's charity care. For 58 years, Tzu Chi's unwavering commitment to aiding the impoverished and needy has remained steadfast. | Photo provided by Tzu Chi Foundation

Looking back, despite the ever-changing social landscape, Tzu Chi's original aspiration of compassion and altruism remains unchanged.