FAQ

FAQ
 Topic Inquiries
1. AboutTzu Chi
2. Become a Volunteer
3. How to Donate
4. Charity
5. Environment Protection and Recycle

About Tzu Chi:

• What organization is Tzu Chi?

Tzu Chi was founded in May 14, 1966, in Hualien, Taiwan, by Venerable Master Cheng Yen, a nun from Hualien, Taiwan. The Four Missions of Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation are charity, medicine,  education, and humanistic culture, and later expanded to  environmental protection, bone marrow donation, community volunteers, and international relief. All of these missions are known as 4 Missions 8 Dharma Footprints.

There are currently 622 Tzu Chi branch offices in 56 countries, with a total of more than ten million donors and nearly two million volunteers worldwide. Tzu Chi has provided assistance to communities in 94 countries, channeling aid directly to people in need to ease their suffering regardless of their ethnicity, races, nationalities or religions.

• As an organization based on Buddhism, does Tzu Chi ask volunteers and aid recipients to become a Buddhist?

Master Cheng Yen, the founder of Tzu Chi, believes that all religions help people to understand the purpose and principles of life, and that each religion guides people to lead a moral and meaningful life. Regardless of differences, all religions emphasize love, humanity, and the spirit of helping one another. In providing assistance, Tzu Chi volunteers adhere to the principle of universal love, regardless of ethnicity, religion, race, nation, or class. Tzu Chi also neither invites nor requires volunteers and aid recipients to convert to Buddhism.

• How does Tzu Chi awaken the spirit of Buddhism?

The goal of Tzu Chi is to live the Buddhist values ​​of love, compassion, joy and equanimity while contributing to ease people's suffering. By participating directly in the community, volunteers will gain an understanding of the Dharma and purify their own hearts and minds. Gradually, they can develop their character and improve their thoughts, speech and actions by applying the Buddha's teachings they have learned in their daily life, benefiting themselves and others..

Becoming a Volunteer

• How to become a Tzu Chi volunteer?

Provide us with your personal information, and we will contact you. For more information, please visit www.tzuchi.or.id: How to be a volunteer?

• What is Tzu Chi Volunteer training?

Master Cheng Yen said that the beauty of a group lies in its individual. When asked about Tzu Chi's management style, Master would always answer, "At Tzu Chi, everyone educates and disciplines themselves." Through a three-stage of volunteer training process: “grey-and-white volunteer”, “certified-volunteer candidate” and “certified volunteer” , the volunteers develop their general knowledge and understanding of Tzu Chi's Mission, Vision, and Philosophy,  helping them work together and get united. Volunteers learn about the spirit of Tzu Chi and serve in the Four Missions. Those who affirm the spirit of Tzu Chi, adhere to procedures (rules), assist to find donors and invite new volunteers. Tzu Chi volunteers regularly contribute to the community.

• Why do Tzu Chi volunteers need training?

The purpose of volunteer training is to help volunteers to develop the right view and strengthen their determination and commitment. Aside from doing good to sow blessings by participating in Tzu Chi activities, Tzu Chi volunteers also undergo training, learn about life principles and develop their character.

In the humanitarian mission of helping those in need, the volunteers witness the suffering firsthand and realize the causes of life's suffering as described in the Dharma. By undergoing  the trainings, they can see how their experiences bear witness to the truth of the Dharma, and thus grow wisdom. The volunteers will then apply the wisdom they have acquired as they continue to serve in Tzu Chi missions. The volunteer training is similar to parenting. Likewise, after planting a tree, we need to take care of it by watering and fertilizing it. That way, the children will grow up strong and healthy.

• Why should I join Tzu Chi? What are the benefits of being a volunteer?

Every day we are faced with life choices and decisions. Small decisions can lead to everyday results, while big decisions have the potential to change our lives. Wrong decisions will take us off track, therefore we need to apply wisdom when we make choices in our daily lives.

The Tzu Chi Way requires volunteers to exercise self-discipline and wisdom while giving  care to the community. When we practice the act of giving, we learn to break our greedy habit, and it is only through the act of helping others that we could be grateful as a person having a potential goodness. The greatest benefit of joining Tzu Chi lies here, as when we are busy engaging in meaningful activities, there will be improved clarity and purpose in our lives. The reason is that when we find joy in the work we do, we experience less misery, and the growth of inner wisdom becomes something that naturally arises.

• Why do Tzu Chi volunteers have to wear uniforms?

Tzu Chi is a global humanitarian organization registered in the United Nations (UN). It is also known as an organization based on Buddhism. It serves as a field of self and inner training for its members.

In every Tzu Chi disaster relief activity, there are always volunteers wearing blue and white uniforms (Blue and white clouds) who pay attention and serve those in need. The uniform is a visible hallmark of Tzu Chi people around the world, and it symbolizes  the love crossing borders to lighten the burdens and help those who are suffering.

By wearing the same uniform, it also shows the beauty of being harmonious in a group and reflects the desire of individuals to minimize their ego, without trying to stand out from others. Wearing the uniform reminds volunteers to always be humble and keep training themselves, to contribute with joy and to serve the community sincerely.

• What is the difference between the types of Tzu Chi uniforms?

After joining Tzu Chi, volunteers go through a process of self-training in their passion and responsibility. They undergo consistent tiered volunteer training: grey and white, certified-volunteer  candidate (grey and white  logo), and certified volunteer. Each stage requires a different uniform. For the women's certified volunteer, there are three sets of uniforms: a navy blue polo shirt with white pants, a blue dress (Ba Zheng Dao), and a Qipao (a Chinese traditional style clothing). For the male certified  volunteers, they wear dark blue polo shirts with white pants or light blue shirts and blue pants and coats. A series of different uniforms are meant to be worn for different types of activities and places, and are not meant to symbolize "class differences".

• If I work, can I volunteer?

Yes, for sure. In fact, most of the Tzu Chi volunteers work themselves, but they can still spend their time to help others. The greatest value of life lies in our ability to serve others in society. People who have a heart full of love are the happiest person.

• I'm not a Buddhist, can I volunteer for Tzu Chi?

Although Tzu Chi is based on Buddhist teachings, it adheres to the principle of universal love. All of its missions (Charity, Medicion, Education, Humanist Culture) are carried out regardless of ethnicity, religion, race, or class. The main focus of Tzu Chi is not on reading Sutras or doing Dharma services, volunteers from various religions and beliefs are warmly welcomed to join as volunteers, sowing seeds of love and blessings in the community. For example, quite a lot of members of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (Tzu Chi Medical Team) in various countries are Christians, Muslims, or Hindus.

• How can I become a patient care volunteer?

It is important for volunteer observers to manifest the Tzu Chi spirit of love and have a basic understanding of Tzu Chi philosophy. You can start by signing up for new-volunteer training. After completing one training session and attending three classes of Dharma book review, you can apply to purchase a gray and white uniform and then register to volunteer to observe Tzu Chi medical patients..