On Sunday, about 50 members of the Buddhist Compassionate Relief Tzu Chi Foundation (
In January last year, continuous rains and typhoons caused flooding along the long-clogged river, leaving residents homeless and bringing diseases. Tzu Chi set up its Indonesia branch in February last year and joined the Indonesian government's flood-relief work. It also helped with the government's relocation of flood victims, and built 1,100 houses, renovated schools and established the Perumahan Cinta Kasih rehabilitation village.
This time, apart from giving away rice, Tzu Chi also opened a charity clinic at the village. According to media reports, some Tzu Chi members have also set up factories in the area, providing employment opportunities for the flood victims. The entire project has become a community providing livelihood and employment.
Tzu Chi has not disclosed how much money has been moved for the project, but it is certainly a lot given the project's size and the time it has taken. Tzu Chi has never been political. Its founder Master Cheng Yen (
Tzu Chi deserves praise for its 30 years of charity work. The group has won kudos far and wide for its financial transparency in a time many quasi-religious groups engage in fraud.
True love does not require repayment. The help that Taiwanese people have extended to the poor in Indonesia is merely a repayment for all the international help that this nation received before its economic development took off. More importantly, Tzu Chi's charity work goes directly to the people who need it instead of local governments and politicians. Tzu Chi's charity goods go directly to the poor and are not relayed by local governments. This modus operandi costs Tzu Chi significantly more money and manpower, but it also guarantees the relief goods are used where it counts.
This also reminds one of a gathering in Taipei on Tuesday of religious groups calling for cooperation between different religions and calling on the UN to establish a inter-religion committee for world peace. The Buddhist monk Ching Hsin (
This is the truth. In a world filled with religious conflicts, the Buddhists, Taoists, Christians and Muslims in Taiwan have interacted peacefully. This can perhaps be attributed to Taiwanese culture. No matter what the reason is, it is worth reflecting on for people who have suffered religious conflicts.
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