Page 62 - 37-Fall 2013

The Unreasonable Effectiveness

of Collective Behavior:
Reflections on the 2013

Midwest Tzu Ching Training

Tsung-Lin Hsieh, Marco Tjioe, Li Huey Tan, and Shao Shen Ng

educational projects. While the volunteers in
Tzu Chi are generally understood to be helpful
and disciplined, it is the connection between
individual development and collective power
that will be analyzed in this work.

eQuiPMeNT AND PROCeDuReS

The equipment used in this study
included reusable bowls and chopsticks, which
participants provided themselves. The first
step of the investigation, as far as the author
remembers, was to fill my stomach with great
vegetarian food. Over fifty students from four
universities (Ohio State University, University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University
of Michigan, and Michigan State University)
Tzu Chi collegiate volunteers utilize spring break for attended the training retreat in Columbus, Ohio.
extra learning. Photo: Kai-Liang Nyoi It consisted of talks, show and tell, volunteer
sharing, and question-and-answer sessions
interwoven with networking time.
s a hard-working student, I spent my
spring break on a field investigation ReSulTS AND ANAlySiS
Aof one of the most remarkable global-
scale dynamical systems: Buddhist Tzu Chi Tzu Chi is widely recognized by its disaster
Foundation. relief projects, and the story of Hurricane Sandy
relief sets a great example. In October 2012,
iNTRODuCTiON the storm left the East Coast with countless
victims and severe damage, but Tzu Chi
Macroscopic structures can emerge in volunteers managed to distribute food and
systems having localized interactions. For living necessities to well over ten thousand
instance, the flocking of birds can be simulated households despite shortages of electricity and
if each bird follows three rules: fly with the resources. Tzu Chi’s cooperation and efficiency
same velocity as its neighbors, stay close to its made a profound positive impression on local
neighbors, and avoid collisions.[1] communities, as volunteers followed Master
Cheng Yen’s calling to help others without
This is reminiscent of Tzu Chi, an asking for anything in return. This type of giving
international humanitarian organization that requires determination and organization, which
has done a statistically significant amount is what we are learning in the Tzu Chi Collegiate
of large-scale, long-term charitable and Association (TCCA).

6 2 Tzu CHi uSA FALL 2013