1966年，“佛教慈濟基金會”由證嚴上人創辦於台灣花蓮縣，是立足台灣、宏觀天下的慈善團體，四十多年來致力於慈善、醫療、教育、人文四大志業的推動；另投入骨髓捐贈、環境保護、社區志工、國際賑災，統稱為“一步八腳印”。
慈濟的經費全來自於民間，志工也是各項服務方案的主要執行者，因此善款的使用得到最佳監督，獲得海内外社會大眾的信任與支持。1985年僑居各國的台灣慈濟人，將慈濟志業延伸到海外，凝聚在地的愛心資源，推動濟貧教富的慈濟志業。
截至2007年，慈濟人遍佈五大洲，在全球四十四個國家成立超過三百二十個分支會或聯絡處。慈濟志工在地的付出，獲得民間與政府的肯定，自1996年至2007年，全球有三十九地方政府或組織訂定“慈濟日”。
證嚴上人 創建慈悲濟世的慈濟志業
1966年，證嚴上人與弟子到醫院探病，見地上一灘血，旁人說那是一位原住民婦人小產，繳不起醫療費與保證金，又被抬回去。不可遏抑的悲
痛，在心中衝激著。堅毅清癯又不失溫柔和煦的外表下，證嚴上人立慈悲喜捨的大願，起救苦救難的大行，以東台灣為起點，創建出慈悲濟世的志業。
在當時國民生活水準不高的年代，慈善救濟不是容易的事，然而證嚴上人不畏“善門難開”的艱困道路，立願以“千手千眼觀世音”為目標，凝聚起眾人點滴的力量，“佛教克難慈濟功德會”於焉成立。從最初三十位信眾日存五毛錢的“竹筒歲月”做起，這個台灣本土的佛教慈善機構，四十年來已締造許多動人的事蹟。
“誠正信實”是慈濟的基本精神，也是證嚴上人月明風清的生命襟懷與做事態度，將社會大眾捐獻的善款，涓滴不漏地利益眾生。證嚴上人期勉慈濟人以大愛胸襟，無所求的付出，無私無我為大眾；外行“慈悲喜捨”菩薩道，開闢四大志業、八大腳印，帶領著全球慈濟人傳遞人間大愛。
慈濟隨著慈善的腳步，從花蓮邁向世界，在全球各地撒播愛的種子，已獲世人重視與肯定。而證嚴上人則不重外界的毀譽，四十年如一日，依舊風塵僕僕地實踐佛陀教法，以及他的師父－－印順導師給予的期許：“時時為佛教、為眾生！”
Tzu Chi Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1966 by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in the impoverished east coast of Taiwan. Master Cheng Yen firmly believes that suffering in this world is caused by material deprivation and spiritual poverty. She felt that "lack of love for others" has been the root of many problems in this world. "To save the world, we must begin by transforming human hearts." A volunteer-based, spiritual as well as welfare organisation, Tzu Chi's missions focus on giving material aid and inspiring love and humanity in both the givers and receivers. Since its founding, the Foundation has dedicated itself in the field of charity, medicine, education, environmental protection, as well as the promotion of humanistic values and community volunteerism. The humanitarian work is both a means to help those in need, and also a way to open the eyes of the volunteer to the harsher side of life, so that through giving, they may find spiritual happiness and life's true meaning. A home-grown Taiwanese organization, Tzu Chi volunteers living abroad began setting up overseas chapters in 1985. They used money that they have earned in their country of residence to help the poor and needy in their local communities. Emergency aid to typhoon-stricken Bangladesh in 1991 marked the beginning of the Foundation's international relief efforts. Firmly believing that, "Nothing is more valuable than life, All beings are equal." Tzu Chi demonstrates first hand that they can overcome obstacles of time, distance, and politics, to provide relief and hope to victims of war, flood, and drought. As of August 2005, over fifty-seven countries in five continents have received Tzu Chi's aid. From the icy Arctic Circle to the sweltering tropics, Tzu Chi volunteers have left their footprints in many faraway lands, risking their lives in epidemics and wars. Their belief in "making the impossible possible" has sustained them in accomplishing many arduous tasks. In addition to material aid, Tzu Chi has also encouraged mutual help among disaster victims and helped them to become independent by involving them in rebuilding their own communities. The ultimate goal is to inspire disaster victims to contribute to others in turn when they have the ability to do so, thus creating a global village of Great Love.
