The world of Tzu Chi March 2020(Vol.120)

eature O n February 3, 2020, Tzu Chi initiated a global movement to ward off the Covid-19 epidemic with prayers of sincere piety. Every day, volunteers and staff fromTzu Chi establishments worldwide come together at a stipulated time to pray for relief from the epidemic, besides stepping up efforts to promote vegetarianism as a means of curbing the spread of the virus. Tzu Chi establishments worldwide are keeping up with guidelines to guard against the epidemic by urging all staff and visitors to their premises to monitor their temperature, wear face masks and practise frequent hand-washing. From February 7 onwards, the monastic community at the Jing Si Abode in Hualien, Taiwan has been reciting verses from the Lotus Sutra ’s “Universal Gate Chapter on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva” daily. Support for healthcare frontliners Tzu Chi volunteers from various countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, USA and China gathered hospital supplies, such as protective clothing, protective goggles, surgical caps, medical gloves and bedsheets, to be delivered to hospitals in areas affected by the epidemic. China-based volunteers presented frontline medical personnel with gifts and medical supplies. Volunteers based in Quanzhou, China presented nutrition kits comprising five-grain powder mix, oatmeal, grains and biscuits to healthcare personnel from Fujian Quanzhou No. 1 Hospital and Jinjiang Hospital. [Photograph by Huang Guo Ming] Volunteers thoroughly disinfecting the recycling centre on Bade Road, Taipei in Taiwan before commencing work. [Photograph by Liao Mu-nan] 2020 • 03 20 United in warding off an epidemic