 | Master Cheng Yen was born Wang Chin-yun on May 14, 1937 in a small town in Central Taiwan. In 1961, she became a Buddhist nun. With the Four Missions of Charity, Medicine, Education and Humanity, Master Cheng Yen established Tzu Chi Foundation in 1966.
The organization has built hospitals, schools, and helped millions of people in need throughout the world. She was awarded the Eisenhower Medallion for her contribution to world peace, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1991, Master Cheng Yen received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership.
In her early twenties, her father died suddenly of a stroke. Her father’s death led her to ponder on about the mystery of life. “Where does it come from? Where would it go?” In her desire to grasp the answers to these questions, the Master took the path towards a nearby temple and explored the teachings of Buddha.
Master Hsiu Tao, the abbess of the temple, helped answer Master Cheng Yen’s questions and guided her into Buddhism. In search of a place to carry out her spiritual practices, she left her hometown with Master Hsiu Tao. They settled down in the small village of Luyeh, living under conditions of scarcity and poverty.
Master Cheng Yen met one of the most respected Dharma Masters in Taiwan, the Venerable Master Yin Shun. Venerable Master Yin Shun consented and gave her a Dharma name: Cheng Yen. He told her, “Now that you are a nun, you must be constantly committed to Buddhism and to all living beings.” Keeping her master’s simple advice in mind at all times, she entered the door of Buddhism, embracing all living beings in her heart without a trace of regret.
In 1966, series of unfortunate events happened. While visiting a follower in a hospital, Master saw a pool of blood left by an aboriginal woman who could not afford treatment for a miscarriage. The pain caused by seeing the blood was the catalyst for the Master to establish the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation.
Starting with only five nuns, she requested 30 housewives to drop NT$ 0.50 daily into a tiny bamboo bank kept in their kitchens. The fifty cents may not have been of great value, but collectively, it served to develop and nurture the spirit of helping and caring every day.
During the early days, the Master and her disciples had neither decent shelter nor enough food to eat. Yet, the Master held firm to her decision not to accept donations from others, and utilize them only for the beneficiaries of Tzu Chi.
Master Cheng Yen pursued her mission of helping the poor and educating the rich. The rich will give and obtain blessings of joy and the poor will be helped and will receive security and peace.
Master Cheng Yen continues to guide the Tzu Chi volunteers toward their personal and spiritual growth. Together, they shared the Master’s mission to alleviate the sufferings of the people and all sentient beings. |