Page 67 - Tzu Chi Q&A_First Edition

Education 4-2

4-1 What are the core values of Tzu Chi’s schools?
All schools set up by Tzu Chi strive to instill moral
How did Tzu Chi start its mission of education?
values, virtues, character and propriety in their stu-
When Tzu Chi Hospital in Hualien opened in 1986, dents so as to help them develop correct views and
it was very difficult to recruit nurses in eastern Tai- conduct. At the same time, the school motto shared
wan. Moreover, during those years, indigenous girls by all of Tzu Chi’s schools―loving-kindness, com-
from poor families in eastern Taiwan were often sold passion, joy, and equanimity―is mindfully woven
into involuntar y into the academic and extracurricular activities for
servitude. To solve students at all levels of Tzu Chi’s schools. Through
both problems at the these efforts, it is hoped that the students will learn
same time, Master to benefit others with a sense of mission and contrib-
Cheng Yen set up a ute to the greater good of the world in the future.
nursing college in
1989, providing free
nursing education to

indigenous girls so In 1989, Tzu Chi Junior College of Nurs-
they could train to ing opened, marking the beginning of
become nurses. Tzu Chi’s mission of education.
(Tzu Chi Foundation)
In the following years, Tzu Chi further set up a
university, secondary schools, elementary schools,
and kindergartens in Taiwan, completing an
education system from preschool to doctorate
programs in 2000.
The children of Tzu Chi’s kindergarten in Tainan, Taiwan are learning
how to express gratitude in sign language from their teachers.
(Yang De-you)

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