Tzu Chi Q&A

"What is Tzu Chi Foundation?"

"Who founded Tzu Chi and why?"

"What does 'Tzu Chi' mean?"

"How many volunteers does Tzu Chi have?"

"How is Tzu Chi funded?"

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These are just a few of the questions most frequently asked by people who first come across Tzu Chi.

Started in eastern Taiwan as a charity group with only 30 members, Tzu Chi is now a global NGO that has brought aid to 119 countries and regions around the world. To help you get a quick glimpse of Tzu Chi's work and values, we have compiled this booklet with over 90 questions complete with answers. These questions and answers are categorized by the type of missions carried out by Tzu Chi since it was founded in 1966. While one question may lead to the next and you can read the booklet in order of how these questions are arranged, each question also stands alone and you are welcome to pick the ones that most interest you to read first. At the beginning of each chapter, you'll be greeted with an aphorism by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, the founder of Tzu Chi Foundation. Photos, tables, and illustrations are also included to make your reading experience more enjoyable.

It is our humble hope that after reading this booklet and learning how a young, poor Buddhist nun's compassion for the needy has rippled outward and eventually turned into a global collective effort that has helped transform numerous lives around the world, you'll also be inspired to take action and reach out to those in need around you. With more people doing good, there'll be less suffering in the world. When everyone pays love forward, the world will become a better place for all.