Following are the keynote addresses that were given on May 11, 1996, at the formal celebration of the 30th anniversary of the founding of Tzu Chi.

Combination of Wisdom, Kindness, and Courage

Mr. John (Hsiao-yen) Chang,
Minister, Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission

Today I am honored to present the Medal of Outstanding Overseas Chinese, an award of the highest honor, to the Venerable Master Cheng Yen, on behalf of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission.

Three years ago, I went to the Golden Triangle in northern Thailand to visit refugees there. For over 40 years, they have lived in a very difficult situation. Our government started an eight-year relief project in northern Thailand in 1987. When I made that visit, the project had already been carried on for seven years, yet there was still much to do.

Being worried by this situation, I came to Hualien two and a half years ago to visit Master Cheng Yen, hoping that she could solve the problem for the thousands of refugees in northern Thailand. I was not sure that she would agree to help.

Master Cheng Yen listened attentively to my report and analysis. To my surprise and admiration, she promised without the slightest hesitation that she would send people to look into it. She told me to let Tzu Chi take over the task of helping refugees in northern Thailand.

I feel that Master Cheng Yen is not only a religious master, but also an educator, not only a philanthropist and a philosopher, but also a teacher for everyone in this society. Master Cheng Yen has achieved a great deal, yet she is very modest, always stressing gratitude in her speech. Gratitude is what our society lacks today. The accomplishments of the Tzu Chi Foundation are like a flow of pure water, which assures us that there is still hope for this society.

We affirm that for thirty years Master Cheng Yen, together with the Tzu Chi Foundation under her guidance, has promoted and demonstrated a spirit which is a combination of wisdom, kindness and courage.

I extend my best wishes to each of you, and I hope that we may live with the Tzu Chi spirit, that our society may be harmonious and happy, and that each and every one of us may live in peace.

Participation Is the Secret of Enriching One's Mind

Wu Po-hsiung,
Secretary General to the President

Today the atmosphere is so harmonious, so peaceful. Everyone here is so joyful, inspired and grateful. I believe that this is a natural demonstration of the influence of the Tzu Chi spirit, which reaches deep into everyone's heart.

Outsiders often call Taiwan "the Island of Greed." But the Tzu Chi Foundation makes us feel that there is still hope, that human nature is inherently good, and that people are not necessarily utilitarian or opportunistic. It also proves that as long as the inherent goodness in human nature is brought forth, it can be boundless, limitless and endless.

During my two terms as minister of the interior, I participated in Tzu Chi activities approximately one hundred times. For me, it was an opportunity for cultivating virtue and self-examination. Some of my rich female friends have changed one or two years after they attended Tzu Chi activities. The flash of jewels has been replaced by the gleam of compassion on their faces. They have become more beautiful. Many entrepreneurs, having been transformed by the Tzu Chi spirit, are more attentive in their businesses to both their employees and customers and share more social responsibilities. So the major influence of Tzu Chi lies in the transformation of the heart, which is exhibited in daily life and business.

Compared with our grandfathers' generation, our lives are longer and more enriched. Therefore we should seriously consider sparing more time to help the needy. I feel that the best way is to participate in Tzu Chi activities.

Thirty Years Is Like One Day

Lin Yang-kang,
Senior Advisor to the President

Nowadays I often reflect on the question-how has the Tzu Chi Foundation achieved so much within such a short time? I think there are two main reasons.

The first is the spirit of sincerity, integrity, trust, honesty and selflessness. In 1980, as provincial governor, I visited Tzu Chi and saw the nuns in the Abode making candles and baby shoes, growing rice in empty fields, etc. They lived on their own income. The money donated by believers was all used for relief purposes. Recently I visited the Abode again. The nuns were still making candles. All the expenditures of the donations were recorded in detail. I think this is the most important reason for Tzu Chi's rapid growth.

The second reason is the attitude of dedication without consideration for fame or profit. I have observed that Tzu Chi volunteers from different walks of life are all modest and unpretentious. Leaders are produced naturally and everyone cooperates with each other. Furthermore, each volunteer carries out Tzu Chi's tasks at his/her own expense. Is there any fame or profit to look for?

Today I have two wishes. First, I wish that Master Cheng Yen can be healthier. Second, I wish that Master Cheng Yen will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Even though Master Cheng Yen would consider an award or prize of this kind as light as clouds in the sky, nevertheless, should she be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, it would not only be a personal honor, but also a great help in purging the notoriety of Taiwan as "the Island of Greed" and a kingdom of weapon and drug smuggling.

A Light in the Dark

Sr. Angela Mary Doyle
Ex-Director, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Australia

Today I am honored to be invited here to attend this ceremony of triple bliss. We all know that the first bliss is the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of the Tzu Chi Foundation. The second bliss is the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Tzu Chi Hospital. The third bliss is Master Cheng Yen's sixtieth birthday.

Master Cheng Yen has dedicated the best part of her life to social work without regret. This noble spirit is extremely admirable. On behalf of Mater Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, I want to thank all of you. Your compassion and good deeds have set the best examples for us. We shall never forget them.

Lastly, I hope that Master Cheng Yen will have blessings as great as the East Sea and live as long as the South Mountain. I hope that you may be a light in the dark and continue to guide us on the long, arduous Tzu Chi path.

Promotion of the True Bodhisattva Spirit

Dharma Master Kai Cheng
Abbot, Hung Fa Temple, Kaohsiung

The great Dharma Master Tzu Hang once said, "Buddhism should promote education, culture and charity in order to let Buddhism receive the respect of society." This spirit has been achieved by the Tzu Chi Foundation under the leadership of Master Cheng Yen. We should express our greatest respect for her.

When I first became a monk, my master told me, "Buddhism is realized by people with determination. If you have a compassionate heart and an enlightened heart, you can achieve this." Tzu Chi has become what it is today because Master Cheng Yen had the commitment of the bodhisattvas. I believe that all the good works that Tzu Chi does in the world to fulfill the spirit of the bodhisattvas are the most reasonable and accurate.

There are two ways in which Buddhism can save all living beings: giving money and giving dharma. These have unlimited merit. What we most lack today in our society is not financial help, but the infusion of truth and the strength of educational discipline.