The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.113)

01 TZU CHI 113 By Dharma Master Cheng Yen Translated by Max Siew aster’s Teaching Let us not forget that year when we vowed solemnly to serve selflessly; and remember the journey we have walked together, guided by wisdom. We must hold on to our initial aspirations and practise the Dharma diligently. Let us bear witness to our times and record a history of the human race. T he educational armof TzuChi held graduation ceremonies for its students inMay and June. The graduation ceremony of Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology (TCUST) was solemn and its students carried themselves with proper decorum. Family members or close relatives of many of its international students travelled all the way to Taiwan to attend the event. They also came to the Jing Si Abode to express their deep gratitude for the great care that the university and the Tzu Chi Mums and Dads had provided for their loved ones. The students of primary and secondary schools affiliated to Tzu Chi University went on stage to receive their certificates in an orderly manner. All present were charmed by the students’ childlike innocence. Their respect for the teachers and their manners were indeed admirable. Likewise, every graduate of Tzu Chi University, from the Bachelor’s degree level to PhD programmes, received their certificates of completion from the president and lecturers despite the large number of graduates. TzuChi provides education fromkindergarten to university levels, including postgraduate studies. An analogy between education and the growth of a tree can be drawn. We sow seeds and nurture them so that they will germinate and grow into small trees and then become big trees. The founding of Tzu Chi’s educational mission is related to medical treatment. In 1979, an idea to build a hospital in Hualien crossed my mind. The idea became my conviction. In the beginning, the path to build the hospital was riddled with all sorts of hurdles. Despite the challenges, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital began its operations on August 17, 1986. At the same time, we discovered the importance of education as it was very difficult to recruit doctors and nurses to serve in the eastern part of Taiwan. So it was decided that a nursing school be established, and in 1989, Tzu Chi Junior College of Nursing opened its doors. About 20,000 people from across Taiwan gathered in Hualien to witness the opening ceremony, together with the inaugural batch of 107 students. The predecessor of TCUST was the then Tzu Chi Junior College of Nursing, which was established 30 years ago. It was very heart-warming whenever I saw the graduation ceremony on the TV screen. I felt grateful from the bottom of my heart. Thanks must also go to Prof Yang Sze-Piao, who, prior to his retirement, was the Superintendent of the National Taiwan Never Forget Our Initial Aspirations