Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

More than 400 members of Tzu Chi from around the world returned to their spiritual home in Hualien before dawn on April 26 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the foundation. It was a moment for reflection and prayer.

It was 3.30 a.m. when the volunteers made their way by foot to the Jing Si Abode. The sky was grey and the light of the moon shone over the earth. The volunteers walked and bowed slowly, their hearts full of reflection and praying for a world without disasters. As they approached the Abode, they bowed solemnly, grateful to be close to their spiritual home on this important anniversary. They were over 400, from Malaysia and other countries.

"In our hearts, we very much want to see the Master,” said volunteer Lin Meihua. “When we see her carrying on her shoulders the suffering of mankind, we, her overseas disciples, very much want to follow in her footsteps, to hold her hand and look into her eyes. So this pilgrimage of bowing has great significance for us. The Master asks all of us to have a heart of deep repentance and follow a vegetarian diet.” We should give thanks that, 45 years ago, Master Cheng Yen founded the Tzu Chi Merit Association, to give everyone the opportunity to walk on the path of the Bodhisattva and cultivate their spiritual nature.

Master Cheng Yen said: “We started as ordinary people who opened their hearts. At that time, it was as if the dawn never broke. We moved forward step by step. Only if you give will you achieve something. Now is the 45th anniversary of the Tzu Chi Merit Association, a moment for celebration. I thank you, I thank everyone for all they have done, for their daily cultivation, just like this moment.”

On this anniversary, Tzu Chi people move forward with one step firmly in front of the other. All over the world, they spread warmth and bring blessings to people in need and pray for a world without suffering.