In Kapilvastu, Nepal—the ancient location where Prince Siddhartha grew up—a new chapter of hope is taking shape for families living in poverty.

Many residents in Kapilvastu continue to face unstable living conditions, limited access to healthcare, and scarce educational opportunities. Since November 2023, Tzu Chi volunteers have been working closely with the community, providing daily necessities, distributing sandals, conducting home visits, and organizing mobile medical services. These sustained efforts gradually built trust and laid the foundation for a long-term commitment: the construction of the Kapilvastu Great Love Village.

On December 18, 2025, Tzu Chi held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Kapilvastu Great Love Village, marking a major milestone in its humanitarian work in Nepal. The event symbolized not only the start of construction, but also a renewed pledge to help families build stable, dignified lives.

A new beginning in Kapilvastu

Covering approximately 4.1 hectares, the Kapilvastu Great Love Village is envisioned as a holistic community rather than a standalone housing project. Plans include 200 permanent homes, a kindergarten, a market, and a community and activity center. Vocational training programs will also be offered, enabling residents to develop practical skills and move toward economic self-reliance.

Through this integrated approach, the project aims to improve living standards, strengthen the local economy, and help families break free from cycles of generational poverty.

The journey toward this groundbreaking took years of perseverance. At the signing of the memorandum of understanding, Kapilvastu Municipality Mayor Sudeep Paudel expressed gratitude to Tzu Chi, admitting that he had once doubted the project would come to fruition. “It is thanks to the volunteers’ continuous dedication over the past three years that this vision has not only endured, but grown stronger,” Paudel said. He added that witnessing the steady progress of the nearby Lumbini Tzu Chi Campus gave him confidence in Tzu Chi’s long-term commitment.

Building trust, transforming lives

Tzu Chi’s long-term presence and consistent actions have gradually earned the trust of both local authorities and residents. Ramjeet Prasad Kurmi, president of Ward 6 in Kapilvastu Municipality, affirmed the community’s confidence.

“Everything Tzu Chi has done makes villagers feel at ease. They are willing to work hand-in-hand with the volunteers to support future initiatives,” Kurmi said.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by 194 monastics, more than 100 Tzu Chi volunteers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan, and hundreds of local residents. The program included chanting and a sign language performance of the Tzu Chi song, “Direction,” presented by vocational training students and volunteers.

Tzu Chi Vice President Pi-Yu Lin conveyed the aspirations of Master Cheng Yen, noting that despite Kapilvastu’s deep spiritual significance, many residents still lack adequate housing, healthcare, and education.

We hope that through the construction of the Great Love Village, we can provide sturdy, safe, and hygienic homes, and help improve the difficult living conditions that the Buddha’s descendants continue to face more than 2,500 years later.—Pi-Yu Lin, Vice President of Tzu Chi Foundation

Mayor Paudel also emphasized the project’s broader impact, stating that the village would help improve quality of life, stabilize the local economy, create jobs, and attract more visitors and volunteers to the region.

A spiritual home in Lumbini

Just days later, another milestone was reached nearby in Lumbini. On December 20, 2025, Tzu Chi held a topping-off ceremony for the Jing Si Hall at the Lumbini Tzu Chi Campus. Nearly 50 volunteers gathered to witness the placement of the main steel beam, symbolizing the structure’s emergence. The Jing Si Hall, together with a planned hospital, will form a comprehensive center supporting Tzu Chi’s four missions: charity, medicine, education, and humanistic culture.

Vice President Lin, signing the beam on behalf of Master Cheng Yen, described the moment as deeply meaningful. “At this sacred moment, Master Cheng Yen is with us,” she said.

Yun-Xin Wang (王云新), General Manager of Jiade Dingxing Construction, acknowledged the challenges of building in extreme conditions, including summer heat with perceived temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius and the difficulties of the rainy season. He expressed gratitude for Tzu Chi’s daily care for workers, from providing tea and medical supplies to offering emotional support.

For volunteers, the moment was deeply moving. Low Swee Seh (劉瑞士), CEO of Tzu Chi Singapore, shared that Master Cheng Yen has long hoped for a place to propagate the Dharma in the Buddha’s homeland. Dr. Tang Kiat Beng (陳吉民), Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Malaysia, echoed this sentiment, describing the steel beam’s hoisting as a moment that brought tears to his eyes.

Local volunteer Rishikesh Mourya, who recently received his volunteer certification in Taiwan, expressed profound gratitude. “In the past, I had to travel overseas to visit a Jing Si Hall. Soon, we will have one in our own country,” he said. “This campus will become a home for volunteers and a place where we can truly serve society.”

The construction of the Kapilvastu Great Love Village and the Lumbini Tzu Chi Campus reflects Tzu Chi’s enduring commitment to Nepal. By addressing immediate needs while fostering self-reliance, Tzu Chi seeks to honor the Buddha’s legacy of compassion and bring lasting, positive change to his homeland.

Written by Pei-Fung Siew (蕭佩芳), Jennifer Pai (白如璐), Ramesh

Edited by Yi-Ting Wang (王藝婷), Yu-Chen Pan (潘俞臻)