Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is an international humanitarian organization which provides material, financial, and spiritual aid for those who need it in the community. Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental, humanitarian organization with Special Consultative Status in the United Nation's Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). The foundation also engages in international disaster relief, bone marrow donation, community volunteerism, and environmental protection. “Tzu Chi” means “compassion and relief.”
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation was established in 1966 in Hualien by Venerable Dharma Master Cheng Yen. From the first 30 supporters, housewives who saved two cents from their grocery money each day to help the poor, the foundation has grown to nearly 10 million volunteers and supporters in over 50 countries, and has provided international relief work in over 70 countries to people suffering from disasters such as the Southeast Asia tsunami, Myanmar cyclone, and earthquakes in Turkey, Pakistan, Sichuan China, Haiti and Chile. Dharma Master Cheng Yen believes that the lack of altruistic love for others has been the root of many problems in this world, but with sustained kindness, mercy and giving, harmony and peace can be achieved. Thus, the foundation’s guiding principle is to “help the poor and educate the rich” – to give material aid to the needy and inspire love and humanity in both givers and receivers. Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
