Talks and Tea Parties (“Blissful Life”, “Spread Love to the World” series, and educational talks in schools)

Blessings are cultivated through acts of kindness. In Tzu Chi world, the more one is able to give, the more one is able to experience the joy of dharma. A cycle of loving-kindness evolves and continues as the doers share their experiences with one another. Master Cheng Yen’ compassionate and altruistic spirit resonates with the lives of an increasing number of people through talks on “Blissful Life”, “Spread Love to the World” series as well as educational talks in schools. Besides providing opportunities for busy city folks to rest their souls, the talks and sharing sessions also inspired more and more like-minded people to join Tzu Chi as volunteers and work together to spread love to the world and bring harmony to the society.

In every session, the CEO of Tzu Chi Singapore, Brother David Liu, who has an abundance of life experiences, and other volunteers imbued with dharma joy are invited to share the beauty and joys of doing Tzu Chi work. Brother Xie Kun-shan and Brother Huang Nai-hui, who are both physically disabled yet full of optimism, are also invited to share the art of attaining happiness in life. In addition, sign language performances and video records of the Master’s speeches are also included in the programme. The audience is deeply impressed and moved to the core by the beauty of the spirit of humanity as their hearts are immersed in a sea of loving-kindness.

“Spread Love to the World, Cultivate a Land of Blessings” Campaign

The 911 incident in the United States of America rocked the world in 2001. The wrongdoing of a small group of people resulted in a calamity that killed numerous lives. Master Cheng Yen points out that this shocking incident should make us realize that   there can only be real peace on earth if every human heart is filled with love.

On 13th October in the same year, a campaign entitled “Spread Love to the World, Cultivate a Land of Blessings” (NB: “1013” in Mandarin sounds like “one person, one kind deed”) was launch by Tzu Chi branches worldwide. Tzu Chi Singapore held a candle-light vigil for peace on that day, wishing that love could be spread from people to people through good deeds in the hope of warding off calamities with forces of kindness.   

Sign Language Performances

Sign language is akin to the delivery of a wordless sermon on dharma in Tzu Chi. The first sign language troupe was formed in 1999. The troupe gathered once a week to learn and share the beauty of sign language. The troupe grew stronger and larger over the years. It is made up of young people as well as middle-aged mothers, who are drawn to the grace and beauty of the art.  

On the second day of Tzu Chi Singapore’s 10th Anniversary Exhibition in 2003, a sign language contest was organized by the Tzu Chi Teachers’ Association. Fifteen teams comprising of children, teenagers, collegiate youth and young community volunteers participated in the contest. Sign language has indeed blossomed since its beginning. The sign language musical performance – “Sutra of Deep Gratitude to Parents”, which was staged in 2004, received much positive feedback from the audience. At the opening ceremony of the new Jing Si Hall in Pasir Ris on 30th October, 2005, the sign language troupe gave the overseas premiere of the complete version of “Thirty-Seven Principles of Enlightenment”. Most of the performers were members of the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth or Tzu Ching. The graceful yet dignified performance was highly commended by the Minister for Defence, Rear Admiral Teo Chee Hean, and other VIPs among the audience.

Exhibitions of Tzu Chi Missions

Since its establishment in 1993, Tzu Chi Singapore has built a strong footing through its active pursuit of the Four Missions. This is the time of the year when they reap the fruits of their work.     

At the exhibition of Tzu Chi missions, interesting information and pictures on Tzu Chi’s work are displayed on large boards. There are also talks on Tzu Chi missions，and a vegetarian food fair, which offers a buffet. Hundreds of volunteers contributed their effort and time for the annual event, which attracted thousands of visitors. Every picture and line on the board deeply touches the hearts of those who are present. The Tzu Chi volunteers in Singapore feel that they have made the year a fruitful one through their effort united in love-kindness and harmony. This motivates them to make wishes and plan for the future.   

Photo- and Cultural Exhibitions

The photographs and words tell stories of individuals and their living environments. Information and photographic images of distant Qinghai on the Tibetan Plateau and mystical ancient India - thousands of years of historical records and monumental moments - were captured and presented at the exhibitions.

Since 2004,  Tzu Chi Singapore has held several exhibitions open to the public such as “Dust in the Wind” (Master Xuan Zang’s journey to India in the Tang Dynasty), “Admiral Zheng He’s (1371-1433) Voyages to the Western Seas”, and “The South Asia Tsunami - Destruction and Revival”. The rich historical content and interesting illustrations and descriptions on the display boards made a strong impression on the visitors.  

Annual World Book Fair

The World Book Fair is an important annual cultural event in Singapore. Numerous publishers and religious organizations participate in the Fair, which attracts almost a million visitors each year. Since 1997, Tzu Chi Singapore has been participating in the Fair annually, and a special theme such as “The clear stream of humanity that purifies the human heart” or “Tzu Chi enlightens the mind“ is set for every year. Tzu Chi hopes to share the beauty of humanity with the public through its publications (by Still Thoughts Culture) and recordings. 

Dark blue table clothes, starfruit-shaped lamps, white orchid flowers, and small green potted plants create a décor that exudes the unique classical elegance of Still Thoughts Culture. Nearly a hundred volunteers work in 3 shifts at the Tzu Chi booth daily. Their warm, friendly smiles and excellent service left a good and lasting impression on the customers and visitors. There was also a display of picture boards (with explanatory notes) depicting Tzu Chi missions and experienced commissioners who were on duty helped introduce Tzu Chi to visitors. This attracted many like-minded people to sign up as volunteers and/or members of Tzu Chi.

The annual ten-day book fair provides an excellent opportunity for the volunteers to contribute their effort. Tzu Chi hopes to enlighten and kindle the kindness that is hidden within the hearts of more people through Still Thought Culture’s spirit of truth, goodness and beauty.

The Art of Mindful Vegetarianism

Master Cheng Yen once said, “If one is mindful, eating does not only sustain one’s life but also helps one to cultivate blessings.” Hence, Tzu Chi actively promotes “The Art of Mindful Vegetarianism” that comprises of a declaration of the “Four Concepts of Good Health” and “Three Wholesome Actions”.

Four Concepts of Good Health

Heart – Broadmindedness and contentment help one get rid of worries

Vegetarianism – Vegetarian food is good for health and helps to prevent diseases

Eating – Vegetarian food is environmental friendly and helps to prevent calamities

Manners – Courteous and gracious demeanour

Three Wholesome Actions

Change in Diet – Consuming fresh vegetables and fruits is good for health

Bring your own utensils – Protect the Earth and conserve natural resources through the use of environmental friendly utensils

Make a Wish – Build a good social rapport with people through an improvement in dietary culture

After the SARS outbreak in 2003, Tzu Chi Singapore fixed a month, i.e., May, during which only vegetarian food is to be consumed. Besides Tzu Chi volunteers, people from all walks of life are encouraged to support the campaign too. It is hoped that everyone could purify their body and mind, and sincerely pray for blessings while maintaining a purely vegetarian diet throughout that month. 

In an attempt to promote healthy vegetarianism, a charity food fair that includes demonstrations on the preparation of vegetarian dishes is held on Tzu Chi’s annual anniversary celebrations. Visitors were often amazed at the wide variety of delicious vegetarian food at the fair. They also bought environmental friendly utensils to show their support for environmental protection.

As people are becoming more aware of the need for environmental protection nowadays, “The Art of Mindful Vegetarianism” is being promoted in the campuses of tertiary institutions. An increasing number of Tzu Chings (from Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth) have incorporated environmental protection into their daily life by using their own utensils during meal times in schools. In 2004, members of the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth in the Singapore Management University (SMU) organized a two-day vegetarian charity food fair, which aroused much attention within the campus and received a lot of positive feedback from lecturers and students.