Compassion for Others

The first step of Tzu Chi started from the Charity Mission based on the teachings and noble intentions of the Buddha, namely, Compassion for people without regards of blood relations and the amount of suffering, as well upholding commitments for the sake of Buddha's teachings, for the sake of all beings as mandated by Master Yin Shun, the teacher of Master Cheng Yen.

Master Cheng Yen realized that good intentions must be realized by doing good to others. Her empathy for the poor and suffering, made him determined to do something to help them. On the 24th day of the 3rd month of the Lunar calendar, in 1966 the Tzu Chi Buddhist Charitable Foundation was formed and centered at Pu Ming Temple. Master Cheng Yen and her disciples provide assistance to those in need. The types of assistance provided were tailored to the needs of most people at that time, including financial assistance and basic necessities for low-income families, medical expenses assistance, assistance during treatment, disaster assistance, and the provision of funeral ceremonies for people who live alone and cannot afford it.

Tzu Chi does not only prioritize the provision of assistance and the success of aid, but also pays more attention to the motivation of every human being's virtuous abilities. Inspiring those who are able to help the less fortunate means trying to make people who are able to feel the joy of contributing, and learning to help the less fortunate by donating love, so that they gain meaning in their lives. Helping the underprivileged in order to enrich their minds means awakening a heart full of love for the less fortunate and helping them step out of the valley of their gloomy life, so that more people are willing to contribute their energies to help others, as well as to develop their personality by contributing.

In Indonesia, Tzu Chi's journey has also been started through the Charity mission since 1993. Starting from providing assistance to several nursing homes and orphanages in Jakarta and Bekasi, until now the assistance is growing, starting from emergency assistance, patients with special treatment, foster children , long-term life support, to the construction of housing and schools affected by the disaster. The provision of assistance is also based on the consideration that Tzu Chi assistance must be direct, targeted, and have tangible benefits. The Tzu Chi School started from a Charity Mission, so that the spirit to continue to give compassionately and selflessly, will not change forever, carry out activities to help others who suffer and give happiness, creating a humble Tzu Chi world.