On May 14, 1966 (the 24th day of the 3rd lunar month), the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Association was officially established at Pu Ming Temple in Hualien County with Master Cheng Yen personally presiding over the Medicine Buddha Dharma Service. | Photo provided by Tzu Chi Foundation

On May 14, 1966 (the 24th day of the 3rd lunar month), a Buddhist organization with the motto "With compassion in our hearts, saving the world is our aspiration" was founded. This organization, known as the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Association, established its headquarters at Pu Ming Temple, where the founder Master Cheng Yen resided at the time.  

Founding Day


On the day of Tzu Chi’s founding 58 years ago, there were no grand ceremonies or lavish celebrations at Pu Ming Temple. Instead, in the modest hall, the first Medicine Buddha Dharma Service was held. Only a dozen or so devout followers attended, all of whom had formed connections with Master Cheng Yen through her teachings.

Master Cheng Yen, with conflicting emotions, recited the Medicine Buddha Sutra and delivered blessings through explanatory texts. This moment held a paradox for her. Initially, upon entering monastic life, she made three vows: not to accept disciples, not to engage in sutra chanting for monetary gain, and not to receive offerings. However, driven by her commitment to alleviate suffering in society, she willingly set aside these principles. She accepted disciples, became a teacher, and recited the Medicine Buddha Sutra to aid others. Her aspiration was to provide care for the impoverished and spiritual guidance for the rich.

At the age of 29, Master Cheng Yen rallied Buddhist practitioners who were eager to engage in social welfare activities. From monastics sewing an extra pair of baby shoes each day to housewives saving 50 cents TWD (approx. 2 cents USD) a day, this small but determined group of devotees began to embody Master Cheng Yen's aspiration which she received from her teacher, Master Yin Shun. His instruction for her is to work “for Buddha’s teachings, and for all living beings.” This marked the first step towards actualizing their shared mission.

In the sewing room of the Jing Si Abode, Master De Yang sewed baby shoes with reverence. | Photo by Jin-yi Huang

The Poor Helping the Poor, The Needy Helping the Needy

In 1966, as Taiwan transitioned from an agricultural society to an industrial society, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Association was founded. Out of a population of 13.5 million at the time, one in ten were impoverished. The monthly household average income at the time was 742 TWD (approx. 18.55 USD), and Tzu Chi’s founding capital was a mere 720 TWD (approx. 18 USD).

Despite the harsh circumstances, the association adhered to the spirit of "the poor helping the poor, the suffering helping the suffering." They personally visited families in need, thoroughly understanding their requirements, and provided monthly subsidies, one-time aids, or medical assistance, based on each individual’s needs. Assistance was offered to the impoverished people in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, who were unable to receive government relief. Over the years, as Tzu Chi began to accumulate experience, they began to categorize the care recipients into three classes: A, B, and C, providing long-term, short-term, or emergency assistance.

Every month, commissioners convened meetings where Master Cheng Yen herself engaged with them in discussing the situations of the families in need and deliberated on relief measures. Their goal was to accompany and assist these families until their difficulties were alleviated.

Tzu Chi commissioners visited Mrs. Tseng Lin, the first care recipient of Tzu Chi's charity care. | Photo provided by Tzu Chi Foundation

The Story of Tseng Lin: Engraving the Hardships of an Era


Following the founding of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Association, Ms. Tseng Lin became Tzu Chi’s very first care recipient. She received assistance until her passing at the age of 90 in 1970. Tzu Chi also made the funeral arrangement for her.

Born in 1879 in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, China, Ms. Lin's husband came to Taiwan for work, leaving her behind. They exchanged letters to keep in touch until the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War in 1937, after which she lost contact with him. It wasn't until the end of Japanese rule in Taiwan that Ms. Lin managed to come to Taiwan to search for her husband. However, she tragically learned that he had already passed away.

Ms. Tseng Lin resided in a small alley near the Zhonghua Market in Hualien City, in a tiny hut measuring only three tatami mats (about 4.9 square meters). She is the first long-term care recipient of Tzu Chi. | Photo provided by Tzu Chi Foundation

Alone in Taiwan, Ms. Lin found herself stranded when passage back to her hometown in Fujian was blocked during the Chinese Civil War in 1949. She had adopted a son, who tragically passed away young, while her daughter-in-law remarried. Later, Ms. Lin took in a young girl as her granddaughter, but after she left home at seventeen, there was no further word from her.

In her later years, Ms. Lin lived in a small, dark, and damp hut near Zhonghua Market in Hualien City, with its door close to a latrine pit, emitting a persistent foul odor. Ms. Lin endured the hardships brought about by turbulent times until, at the age of 87, she received assistance from disciples of Master Cheng Yen, including Ms. Zhen-ru Chen. Even though the charity fund of the association in the first month was only 720 TWD (approx. 18 USD), they would provide Ms. Lin with a subsidy of 300 TWD (approx. 7.5 USD) every month without interruption. Additionally, Ms. Wang-zhong Lin cooked for her, Dr. Tian-song Lee provided free medical care, and Master Cheng Yen personally arranged for tailored Tang-style robes for her.

With the kindness and support of many, Ms. Tseng Lin was able to live the remaining years of her life in peace before bidding farewell to a life of suffering.