Page 147 - Tzu Chi Q&A_First Edition

10-5 disaster, Tzu Chi
volunteers around
Why do Tzu Chi volunteers prostrate themselves the world will all
in the presence of Master Cheng Yen?
mobilize to fund-
Prostration is a gesture used in Buddhist practice to raise for the affected
show reverence to persons or other elements of Bud- country.
dhism. In Chinese culture and tradition, prostration
is also used to show respect to social elders or supe- A pianist performs at a
riors. So, just as how Master Cheng Yen would pros- charity concert held by
Tzu Chi volunteers in Long Island, New York, USA to fundraise for
trate herself to other venerable Buddhist Dharma Japan after it was hit by the 3/11 Earthquake in 2011. (Hong Da-wei)
masters, Tzu Chi volunteers prostrate themselves to
Master Cheng Yen to show their respect, not to wor- 10-7
ship her as a divine figure.
Do people’s donations
also go to support
Master Cheng Yen and the
10-6 monastic practitioners at
the Jing Si Abode?
Do Tzu Chi offices in other parts of the world No. Every penny of donations
receive financial support from Tzu Chi Taiwan?
to Tzu Chi Foundation goes
Tzu Chi volunteers around the world usually raise to support Tzu Chi’s missions
funds themselves and use the local resources they as specified by donors them-
can gather to carry out Tzu Chi’s missions in their selves.
countries of residence. However, when a disaster
strikes, Tzu Chi volunteers close to the affected Living by the motto “No work, Monastic practitioners
no meal,” Master Cheng Yen
at the Jing Si Abode are
country will go to offer support. In case of a major making candles, one of the
and her monastic disciples
tasks they do to support
at the Jing Si Abode work themselves. (Huang Xiao-zhe)

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