Pi-O Kuo | India

The touching scene of villagers bringing their children to contribute to the bamboo bank planted seeds of kindness in the hearts of the young ones. | Photo courtesy of Chun-Chih Cheng | Bodh Gaya, India | 2024

The spiritual connection between Hualien, Taiwan and Bodh Gaya, India, is profound, as both are on the same latitude. When Master Cheng Yen, founder of Tzu Chi, saw the Buddha's birthplace with little progress over 2,500 years, she felt compelled to act. The villagers' severe poverty inspired her to repay the Buddha's kindness by transforming his homeland. Moved by her compassion, Tzu Chi volunteers from Singapore and Malaysia arrived in March 2023 to provide charity, medicine, and education to impoverished villagers.

Turning Inspiration into Action  

In Bodh Gaya, Tzu Chi initiated the construction of 36 Great Love houses in Silaunja village to address housing issues. In September 2023, volunteers rented the Bodhi Stay to serve as their base. The owner of the small hotel, Md Ansar Ali, introduced his friend Azim Khan to Tzu Chi upon learning about the housing project in the slum area.

LEFT: Azim (front row, second from right) invited upstream suppliers Vijay Nayan (front row, third from right) and Chandan Arya (front row, third from left) to Bodhi Say in Bodh Gaya. After the briefing, both donated and joined the ranks of those helping others. | Photo courtesy of Junhao Liao | Bodh Gaya, India‌ ‌RIGHT: After participating in the Jing Si Life Retreat in Hualien, Taiwan, entrepreneur Azim Khan vowed to join the ranks of those helping others upon his return to Bodh Gaya. | Photo courtesy of Chun-Chih Cheng | Bodh Gaya, India | 2024

Azim Khan's connection with Tzu Chi deepened after he participated in the year-end blessing ceremony and distribution event in 2023. In May, he visited Taiwan for the Jing Si Life Retreat, where he met Master Cheng Yen. Inspired by his experiences, Azim vowed to join the efforts to help others in Bodh Gaya upon his return.

Tzu Chi Singapore's Deputy CEO, Kean Yee Khoo, and his wife, Kok Heong Lee, encouraged Azim to put his inspiration into action by inviting him to participate in Tzu Chi's charity day in Bodh Gaya on June 28.

During a charity day visit to care recipients' homes, Azim was shocked to see the extreme hardship faced by families in his hometown, which seemed like a living hell. Deeply moved, he vowed to help his community. | Photo courtesy of Kok Heong Lee | Bodh Gaya, India | 2024/06/28

During a home visit to care recipients, Azim was shocked by the harsh living conditions he witnessed, likening it to a living hell. He pledged to donate 15,000 rupees monthly (approximately USD 179) to help the needy and encouraged his employees to contribute 50 rupees each (approximately USD 0.60) per month.

Kean Yee Khoo urged Azim to use his corporate influence to recruit more volunteers and strengthen efforts to aid his hometown. Moved by Khoo's sincere advice, Azim decided to inspire his employees to do good deeds. On payday, he contacted Khoo, inviting Tzu Chi volunteers to the construction site to collect donations from employees.

Building a Force of Love on the Construction Site  

On July 4, around 5:30 PM India time, twelve Tzu Chi volunteers arrived at a 13-story hotel and mall construction site with bamboo banks. Azim led the volunteers inside, where employees had already cleaned the space and prepared three lamps for lighting.

Kok Heong Lee used her expertise to creatively set up a beautifully crafted small table for the event. | Photo courtesy of Chun-Chih Cheng | Bodh Gaya, India | 2024/07/04

Volunteer Mung Fei Yong found a metal plate to serve as a table surface, while Kok Heong Lee creatively transformed three chairs into table legs, draping a blue cloth brought by Yong as a tablecloth. Together, the volunteers created a simple yet elegant setup for the event, with bamboo banks neatly arranged on the table. A photo of Master Cheng Yen was placed nearby, adding a sense of solemnity to the venue.

Local volunteer Deepak Kumar hosted the event, sharing the story of Tzu Chi's "Bamboo Bank Era" and highlighting the charity's efforts during the pandemic to provide medical supplies. He also mentioned that Tzu Chi is currently building 36 Great Love houses in Silaunja to improve local housing conditions.

Azim explained to his employees that Tzu Chi is always ready to help and encouraged them to donate to the bamboo banks after receiving their salaries, emphasizing that every contribution, no matter the amount, is an act of love.

After Azim's speech, employees received their salaries, carefully counted their money, and approached the volunteers to donate to the bamboo banks. Volunteer Hui Lee Cheok led everyone in expressing gratitude in Hindi, creating a joyful atmosphere.

LEFT: Volunteers led the entire audience in performing the sign language song "One Family," helping employees feel the unity and warmth of a global family.‌ ‌RIGHT: After the song "One Family," a precious and memorable scene was captured. | Photos courtesy of Chun-Chih Cheng | Bodh Gaya, India | 2024/07/04

There were 57 employees receiving salaries, but 74 individuals registered to donate to the bamboo banks. Some employees donated on behalf of others. Azim was pleasantly surprised that, instead of the expected 50 rupees, each employee donated at least 100 rupees. Deeply moved, he declared, "These employees are my members. The next payday will also be a day for donations, marking the beginning of the power of love."

Spreading Love at the Great Love Village Construction Site  

Azim informed Kean Yee Khoo that the next day, July 5, was payday at the Silaunja Great Love Village construction site. This time, the education team, led by Huili Shi, guided local volunteers through planning and execution. During a midday study group, they invited cash-for-work volunteers to join, assigning them the responsibility of organizing everything. Deepak, the host from the previous day, shared his experience to help them learn.

Despite light rain, volunteers arrived at the construction site at 5 PM as scheduled. The cash-for-work volunteers smoothed the sandy ground and set up the venue, considering details like layout and lighting. They found an ideal spot to hang the event banner and respectfully placed Master Cheng Yen's photo.

LEFT: The Great Love Village event in Silaunja was hosted by Aliya Rahman. Cash-for-work volunteers who took on the responsibility for the event did exceptionally well. ‌ ‌RIGHT: The Tzu Ching youth education team collaborated to perform a skit about the spirit of "Bamboo Bank Era." | Photos courtesy of Chun-Chih Cheng | Bodh Gaya, India | 2024/07/05

Aliya Rahman hosted the event, introducing Tzu Chi's four missions and sharing Master Cheng Yen's three great vows, including the vow that "there is no one I do not love." From the fifty-cent TWD of the "Bamboo Bank Era," Tzu Chi has evolved in its nearly 60 years, providing humanitarian aid to 136 countries and regions.

Tzu Ching youth volunteers performed a simple skit about the "Bamboo Bank Era," depicting the challenges faced by the Tzu Chi Merit Association, which began with 30 housewives each donating fifty cents TWD a day. Even before having their own premises, Tzu Chi was distributing aid from the borrowed space at Pu Ming Temple.

Azim encouraged employees to donate after receiving their salaries, hoping they could also contribute to helping others. This time, he directly suggested donating 100 rupees (approx. USD 1.2). Out of the 21 employees who received salaries, 37 people participated in donating, including representatives from Silaunja village and women with children.

Basant Manjhi, a participant from Silaunja village, was especially grateful and joyful. He met the criteria for receiving a house in Silaunja Great Love Village and found work at Azim's construction site. He was thankful for Tzu Chi's support, which allowed him to have a home and a job. Filled with gratitude, he donated to the bamboo bank, expressing his commitment to Bamboo Bank spirit—saving a little to help others. Basant gratefully declared, "I will continue to donate this way!"

Ramesh Rajak, a resident of Silaunja village who has worked for Azim's company for five years, expressed appreciation for Azim's kindness to employees, providing stable work and timely salaries. He enjoyed the volunteers' stories about Tzu Chi and believed everyone should donate to help the poor, regardless of the amount, as it benefits those in need. He hopes to assist the poor through Tzu Chi Foundation.

Spreading Love Among Entrepreneurs  

Vijay Nayan, Azim's cement and iron supplier, learned about Tzu Chi's charitable work in Bodh Gaya through Azim. He was impressed by Tzu Chi's efforts to provide housing for the poor and transport sick individuals to hospitals.

On July 9, Vijay and his company's managers visited Tzu Chi's Bodh Gaya office to learn about Tzu Chi's global aid efforts, reaching 136 countries and regions. Touched by the stories, he donated 20,000 rupees (approx. USD 239) and urged others to unite in supporting Tzu Chi's good work.

Chandan Arya, who runs a brick business and supplies materials for the Silaunja Great Love Village project, also learned about Tzu Chi through Azim. Moved by the charity's support, he donated 20,000 rupees (approximately USD 239).

The Chapter on Ten Merits in the Sutra of Infinite Meanings suggests that this sutra can inspire Bodhisattvas to develop the Bodhi mind—an awakened or enlightened state marked by compassion and the aspiration to achieve Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings. This ancient wisdom is now being brought to life through the volunteers’ efforts in Bodh Gaya, motivating local entrepreneurs to nurture good intentions and spread love.

Azim is determined to recruit over 200 donating members, spreading love across construction sites and businesses. This is how Tzu Chi’s work is taking root locally, forming a growing force for helping others and advancing Master Cheng Yen's vision of transforming the Buddha's homeland.