The world of Tzu Chi June 2025 (Vol.154)
2025 • 06 14 A n early morning rain gently nourished the earth before the first rays of sunlight broke through the clouds. At the Tzu Chi KL & Selangor’s Buddha Day Ceremony, participants came together to form the characters “TC59”, “ 觉 ” (Awakening), and “2025” in a striking visual tribute to commemorate the occasion. Two large LED screens connected the assembly with the live Buddha Day Ceremony at the Jing Si Hall in Hualien, Taiwan, uniting hearts across borders. Led by Dharma Masters from the Jing Si Abode in Taiwan, and local monastics, the congregation solemnly chanted the “Incense Praise”, inviting the presence of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from all directions. This was followed by a melodic recitation and sign language rendition of the Chapter on Virtues from the Sutra of Infinite Meanings , setting a reverent tone for the ceremony. From learning to awakening As Tzu Chi marks its 59th anniversary, Master Cheng Yen’s founding aspiration—for Buddha’s teachings and for sentient beings— remains as steadfast as ever. From its humble beginnings to a global humanitarian mission, Master reminds us: “The work we do isn’t merely worldly affairs; we’re serving with the enlightened love of Bodhisattvas. We’re learning the Buddha’s Way, transforming from childlike ignorance through learning and diligent practice, gradually seeing the path, understanding life’s truths, and ultimately attaining awakening.” The Buddha is the Great Awakened One of the Universe, and every one of us inherently possesses the same compassion and wisdom. However, ordinary beings are often afflicted by attachments to fame, desire, and gain. The first step on the spiritual path, therefore, is to remove these afflictions. The tangible act of bathing the Buddha symbolises the cleansing of the mind, washing away ignorance and returning to one’s pure, intrinsic nature. The ultimate goal is to embody the Dharma in daily life, managing one’s thoughts so it is not swayed by external conditions. Taking refuge, nurturing purity In the face of increasingly erratic climate patterns and frequent disasters, Venerable Ming Ji, Chairman of the Malaysian Buddhist Association (KL/Selangor branch), urged all to reflect deeply on the Sutra on the Eight Realisations of Great Beings , particularly the teaching that “the world is impermanent, and the land is fragile”. He cautioned that a corrupted heart can lead to calamities in our surroundings. Venerable Ming Ji elaborated on the meaning of taking refuge in the Three Treasures: choosing awakening over delusion, uprightness over deviation, and purity over defilement. He also called for a shift in diet, encouraging people to adopt a more compassionate diet by abstaining from killing, and to embrace vegetarianism more frequently, even if not entirely. From Hualien to the world James Buu, Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, shared that participating in this year’s Buddha Day Ceremony concurrently with Master Cheng Yen and participants in Hualien via live stream, was a deeply meaningful experience for him. Citing the commemorative stamp set issued by the United Nations Postal Administration in honour of Tzu Chi’s 45th anniversary, he praised the organisation’s credibility on the global stage. Looking ahead to Tzu Chi’s 60th year, he expressed
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