The world of Tzu Chi June 2025 (Vol.154)

2025 • 06 30 Taiwan on January 1, 1998, there was no means of viewing it in Malaysia. Later, the TV station organised tours to Malaysia to stage “A Night of Great Love”, providing local volunteers and viewers with their first opportunity to discover the channel and gain insight into Tzu Chi’s missions. In 2005, the channel began broadcasting across Asia via satellite. With that, Malaysian viewers could install antennas and decoders for reception. However, unstable signals limited viewing quality and prevented wider viewership. A breakthrough came in 2008 with a contract signed with DETV, an IPTV provider, enabling Malaysians to purchase receivers for clearer television reception. From that year forward, “A Night of Great Love” evolved to include appearances by real-life subjects of Da Ai dramas alongside their portraying actors, sharing their stories together. A TV channel for everyone Volunteer Tang Chiew Liew has been a faithful viewer of Da Ai TV since 2007, often moved to tears by its soulful programmes. For 18 years, it has remained the only TV channel she watches. At one point, she even convinced over 100 people in a single year to install the channel. She also actively invites others to become “Friends of Da Ai” and make annual contributions to support the non-profit station. Whenever she hears that someone has been touched by a Da Ai programme, she feels her efforts areworthwhile. Deep down, it is clear to her that the content is not only entertaining but also delivers positive messages and brings peace of mind. Now tuning in via YouTube, she hopes to promote Da Ai programmes to even wider audiences, firmly believing that Great Love can illuminate the world and make it shine brighter. Kee Sok Hon was one of those who installed Da Ai TV at home over a decade ago, following Chiew Liew’s recommendation. Through the Grassroots Bodhi programme, her mother learned the ropes of recyclable sorting and environmental protection practices, thereby rediscovering her sense of purpose in later life and inspiring positive change within the family. Every morning before work, Sok Hon would tune in to Da Ai TV for Master Cheng Yen’s Dharma teachings. Over time, she found herself complaining less and embracing the philosophy of “do it with a willing heart, accept whatever comes with joy.” Touched by the programmes, her husband also thanked her for bringing blessings into their home. Now, Sok Hon watches Life Wisdom and Da Ai Headlines on her phone during lunch breaks to stay connected with Tzu Chi and global happenings. Finding peace in chaos In his speech, Tien-Lai emphasised how Da Ai TV conveys goodness and purifies the mind. From its early days on satellite TV and set-top boxes, it has now transitioned to digital platforms. A dedicatedWhatsApp channel now allows the public to access Da Ai programmes across various devices. “In 1998, there were already more than 100 TV stations in Taiwan. However, Master believed that the more chaotic the world became, the more it needed a voice that could calm disturbed minds. Thus, Da Ai TV was born,” Josephy explained, speaking about the unwavering faith and aspiration behind Tzu Chi media. She shared that beyond documenting human history, the TV station bears witness to our times and spreads goodness in society, making it a channel suitable for the whole family.