Every individual embarks on a unique journey shaped by their own causes and conditions. Yet, there are also shared causes and conditions that bring people together, such as walking the Bodhisattva-path with Tzu Chi. This path, often challenging, is a testament to the enduring power of compassion and selfless action, transforming lives and communities across the globe.

The Difficult Yet Possible Bodhisattva-Path

More than 2,500 years ago during the Buddha’s time, the world’s population was around 100 million, and only a third had heard his teachings. Today, with a global population exceeding 8.1 billion, how many truly know and engage with organizations like Tzu Chi? How many are aware but choose not to participate, and how many have never even heard of such efforts?

The world faces countless disasters, highlighting the critical need for individuals who embody the Bodhisattva spirit. Without such compassionate beings, suffering would only intensify. Dharma Master De Ning (釋德寧) reminds us that the Bodhisattva-path is inherently arduous, and some may falter due to fatigue or obstacles. The true essence of this path lies in the ability to persevere through difficulty.

In July 2025, when Typhoon Danas severely impacted the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan regions of Taiwan, Tzu Chi Faith Corps members and Commissioners from across the island mobilized. Despite the scorching sun and intense heat, their primary concern was to bring comfort and stability to the survivors. Such dedication, driven by a profound sense of compassion, exemplifies the Bodhisattva spirit.

Boundless Vows, Endless Love

On this path of helping others, Master Cheng Yen encourages us to undertake tasks that others might find impossible, daunting, or simply unwilling to do. Given the prevalence of suffering in the human realm, it is essential to have compassionate individuals who are not only willing but eager to act promptly.

This awakened compassion extends beyond one's immediate family, embracing a broader, more expansive love. Master Cheng Yen often speaks of the vastness of a Bodhisattva's love: "Even if the boundless universe were to come to an end, my vows and aspirations would still remain." This love is not confined to small regions or even a single country; it encompasses the entire world.

Tzu Chi has now reached its 60th year, with its footprint extending to 136 countries and regions worldwide. Domestically and internationally, whenever major disasters strike, volunteers nearby respond swiftly. This timely assistance has preserved countless precious moments in Tzu Chi's history, demonstrating the tangible impact of their unwavering commitment.

Education and Empowerment in Thailand

Since 1995, Tzu Chi has implemented poverty alleviation programs in northern Thailand. These initiatives have not only helped residents establish stable homes and livelihoods but have also founded a school to provide children with access to education. Many graduates from Chiangmai Tzu Chi School have returned to teach or achieved success in various fields, a truly gratifying outcome.

A significant challenge in these communities was the lack of official identification for many residents, which severely limited their access to education and employment. Tzu Chi advocated for their rights, helping them secure legal status to live lawfully in the area. These efforts were monumental and have profoundly changed the lives of many.

Overcoming Adversity in Taiwan and Nepal

When the devastating 921 Earthquake struck Taiwan in 1999, volunteers were presented with immense challenges. Initially, 500 body bags were requested, a number that eventually rose to 2,000. Tzu Chi Faith Corps members assisted with the solemn task of transporting the deceased, enduring difficult conditions, including exposure to bodily fluids. Others worked tirelessly in morgues, rotating bodies every few hours to prevent adhesion. These experiences highlight how Tzu Chi volunteers transform the seemingly impossible into reality.

In Nepal, the Buddha's homeland, poverty has persisted for centuries. However, Tzu Chi volunteers have been working tirelessly to help transform the area. Women who previously had no sewing skills now learn tailoring through vocational training, enabling them to make clothes and weave grass mats for their livelihoods. Volunteers also teach sign language, enhancing their skills and fostering personal growth and cultural understanding. These efforts are largely due to the dedication of Malaysian and Singaporean Tzu Chi volunteers who work in challenging, hot environments. Many of these volunteers come from affluent backgrounds, some even business owners, yet they serve with humility and unwavering commitment.

Courage in Malaysia's "Stateless Villages"

The commitment of volunteers extends to areas like Malaysia's "Stateless Villages," where many residents lack legal status, and even police hesitate to enter. Yet, Tzu Chi volunteers, driven by a motherly love, bravely enter these communities. They teach children literacy and humanistic values, striving to change their lives and destinies.

A Bodhisattva's love is boundless. No matter how difficult the Bodhisattva Path is, we will persevere. We strive to bring comfort and awaken sentient beings, vowing to relieve all suffering and end all afflictions, as we give help with boundless love.— An oft-quoted guiding principle for Tzu Chi volunteers.

Indeed, every day, individuals walk the Bodhisattva-path, driven by love. Reflecting on past events, had the opportunity not been seized, many positive outcomes might never have materialized. It is through this willingness to give that countless lives are transformed. This is the shared cause and condition of Tzu Chi volunteers—a profound blessing to follow Master Cheng Yen and walk the Bodhisattva-path under her guidance. With this sense of responsibility and mission, we must strengthen our resolve and never retreat.

Shared by Master De Ning (釋德寧)

Compiled by Yi-Lin Chen (陳怡霖), Hsiu-Kuan Liu (劉秀觀), Editorial Team

Translated by Mindy Chen (陳敏理)

Source: 因緣，各自因緣、共同因緣