By Shih De Zhao  

Behind the serene Jing Si Abode in Taiwan, a humble herbal field plays a vital role. More than just a beautiful bloom, these Moonlight Roses are cultivated by Tzu Chi's pure practitioners to support their self-reliant lifestyle. 

The Jing Si Soap products are made using self-cultivated, organic, and natural ingredients. | Photo: Master De Quan | Taiwan 

The Dharma Masters at the Jing Si Abode uphold the spirit of self-reliance, a core tenet of their practice. Following Master Cheng Yen's guidance, they do not solicit alms or accept outside donations, instead embodying the principle of “a day without work is a day without food.” To sustain their simple livelihood and support Tzu Chi's broader missions, they create handcrafted Jing Si products using natural, self-cultivated, and whenever possible, organic ingredients. This commitment to mindful production not only minimizes environmental impact but also reflects the pure intentions behind the Abode's actions. 

A Field with a Purpose: Cultivating Both Roses and Virtue 

The herbal field's beginnings in 2019 were humble. With limited resources, Tzu Chi volunteers toiled each night, under the moon's soft glow, to establish and maintain it. They hauled water to nourish the budding plants, and as the "Angel Rose" became the "Moonlight Rose," it took on a new meaning, a symbol of perseverance. 

The Angel Rose was renamed "Moonlight Rose" by the monastics at Jing Si Abode, becoming one of the ever-blooming flowers in the herbal garden. | Photo: Chin-Te Chan | Taiwan

Every action, from carefully harvesting roses to hand-weeding, is performed with mindfulness and care, embodies Master Cheng Yen's teachings: respect for all life and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things. Whether it’s delicately harvesting roses to avoid harming small creatures hidden within or hand-weeding to preserve ecological balance, every act is imbued with thoughtfulness and mindfulness. 

Volunteers often describe their time in the garden as an opportunity to return to their spiritual home. Through the physical labor of planting and harvesting, they reconnect with the earth while growing in patience and understanding. 

The herbal fields at Jing Si Abode are cultivated naturally, without pesticides or herbicides, fostering a rich ecosystem. Egrets stroll peacefully among the fields. | Photo: Chih-Tsung Cheng | Taiwan 

These roses support the field's ecosystem, and they also become a key ingredient in the Jing Si line of handcrafted products. For those tending the field, the Moonlight Roses represent the unity of hearts committed to preserving life and promoting ecological balance. 

From Rose to Relief: Compassion in Every Bottle 

Proceeds from these handcrafted Jing Si products support the Abode's daily operations, to support the monastic community and provide vegetarian meals for the 200 plus volunteers and Tzu Chi staff who visit and work at the Abode each day. Any surplus income is channeled directly into Tzu Chi's broader humanitarian missions, enabling compassionate action across the globe. The products are all made organically, with benefits to all beings. 

Every bottle of rose hydrosol requires 750 Moonlight Roses, each carefully handpicked by volunteers. | Photo: Chin-Te Chan | Taiwan

The legacy of the Moonlight Rose inspires those who nurture it and serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and the beauty of nature. It calls on all of us to cultivate harmony within ourselves and with our environment, planting seeds of compassion that will continue to bloom for generations to come, supporting Tzu Chi's humanitarian work around the world.