Page 13 - 42-Winter 2014_Final

Quarter Century of Compassion
Words of Blessing
Tzu Chi in the USA
1989 – 2014

after twenty-five years in the United States, Tzu volunteers who both understand Tzu Chi’s spirit
Chi remains largely an organization of Chinese- and speak the local languages, they can much
speakers. Of course, this was natural. Master more effectively uncover and address the needs
Cheng Yen speaks in Mandarin and Taiwanese, in their communities as they provide long-term
and Tzu Chi was brought to the United States by care and support.
immigrants who were most comfortable sharing But such communication barriers are not
Master’s teachings with members of their own just a concern of international relief, they also
community in their own language. But these exist here at home. After Hurricane Sandy, we
teachings are meant for all, so we need to do saw the extent to which the United States is
our part to share them in more languages and truly a melting pot. In the most severely affected
with more people. Now it’s our turn to build on communities of New York and New Jersey,
the foundation forged over the past twenty- volunteers not only needed to use English to
five years by welcoming more people into the communicate with storm victims, they also had
Tzu Chi family and expanding the mission of to seek out people who could help translate
compassion together. Even though the words their words into Spanish, Russian, Urdu, and
we use may be different, the spirit will remain other languages. To truly carry out our Tzu Chi
the same. missions and care for all our communities, Tzu

It is not hard to see why we need to share Chi needs to become a melting pot just like the
Tzu Chi more broadly. Master Cheng Yen country we call home.
has always called on us to serve all people This is my hope for the future: that Tzu
regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or religion. Chi volunteers not only serve people of every
No matter what may separate us, she reminds ethnicity, nationality, and religion, but that Tzu
us that our blood is all red and that we all Chi volunteers are people of every ethnicity,
share the same earth and the same sky. Often, nationality, and religion. We all share one home,
though, the minor barriers that divide us make so we need to work together to protect our
it difficult to reach those who need our help the home and each other. Just as many drops of
most. During the Haiti earthquake relief effort water join together to become a river, the more
in 2010, for instance, one of the most serious of us who join together with a common goal,
difficulties we encountered was the language the greater our strength will be.
barrier. There were so many people that needed
help, but it was very hard for our U.S. team
to communicate with them without speaking
either French or Haitian Creole. But now that
there are active local teams of motivated Haitian

www.us.tzuchi.org | 13