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Tzu CHi’S

BAmBOO BANk SpiRiT

When Dharma Master Cheng Yen founded Tzu
When Dharma Master Cheng Yen founded Tzu
Chi in 1966, she fashioned coin banks from bam-
Chi in 1966, she fashioned coin banks from bam-
boo and asked her lay followers—thirty house-
boo and asked her lay followers—thirty house-
wives—to save NT$0.50 (about US$0.02) from
wives—to save NT$0.50 (about US$0.02) from
their grocery money every day to help the poor.
their grocery money every day to help the poor.

One follower asked, “Can’t I just donate NT$15
One follower asked, “Can’t I just donate NT$15
each month?” But Master refused. She explained
each month?” But Master refused. She explained
that though the amount was the same, it was
that though the amount was the same, it was
important to give rise to a kind thought each
important to give rise to a kind thought each
and every day.
and every day.

From these humble beginnings forty-seven years
From these humble beginnings forty-seven years
ago, Tzu Chi has grown into a global NGO with
ago, Tzu Chi has grown into a global NGO with
ten million volunteers and donors in over fifty
ten million volunteers and donors in over fifty
countries, because it collects not only donations,
countries, because it collects not only donations,
but also kind hearts.
but also kind hearts.

Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation

909.447.7799 | www.us.tzuchi.org
6 6 Tzu Tzu CHi uSA FALL 2013 CHi uSA SuMMER 2013