Words From Dharma Master Cheng Yen—Rejoicing in New Bodhisattvas

This year, once again, our annual volunteer certification and year-end blessing ceremonies brought many members of our Tzu Chi family to Taiwan. Some traveled through several countries, taking multiple connecting flights, to be here for the special moment of receiving their certification. Seeing everyone sincerely vow to become living bodhisattvas made the occasions feel especially precious. As I attached each badge to their chest, blessings arose from deep within my heart—blessings I hope will accompany them across lifetimes.

I also presented each person with a fuhui hongbao (“red envelope of blessings and wisdom”). The hongbao carries profound meaning. When recipients see it, they are reminded that it came from my hands and that the mission entrusted to them is to walk the Bodhisattva Path, inspiring them to live with purpose and meaning.

The birth of more real-life bodhisattvas is always a cause for great joy, as it means more hands to help those in need and spread love. I hope all my disciples carry forward the mission of working for Buddhism and for all living beings. Together, we can shoulder the responsibility of fostering happiness and harmony in our world.

To receive certification, a person undergoes several years of training. Among other things, they learn to conduct themselves mindfully in all aspects of daily life—walking, sitting, speaking, and eating—and to interact with others harmoniously. They learn the importance of using gentle and kind words. All of this helps them uphold the image of a Tzu Chi volunteer.

Mindfulness is essential in everything we do. Likewise, I constantly remind myself to speak mindfully. During our volunteer certification and year-end blessing ceremonies, some participants from other countries wear earphones to listen to real-time translations. I intentionally speak slowly so that interpreters can hear clearly and translate accurately. I always consider whether my words can reach the hearts and minds of listeners—without that connection, there is no inspiration, and without inspiration, there can be no action.

Seeing volunteers come from faraway places to Taiwan with such vitality to receive their certification shows me how strong their faith is. During training, they accompany senior volunteers on home visits to the needy, witnessing firsthand the depths of poverty and suffering. Such experiences reveal a simple truth: Many people need help, and those who have the capacity to help are blessed.

I am grateful to the new bodhisattvas for honoring me with their trust and for choosing to join Tzu Chi. I am equally grateful to our senior volunteers for guiding and supporting these new bodhisattvas and for sharing how they became part of the Tzu Chi family, taking up the Buddha’s mission and carrying forward Tzu Chi’s work. Every experience they share is a living expression of the Dharma.

“Tzu” means love, and “Chi” means giving. Together, they express the spirit of compassionately relieving the suffering of all living beings. Whenever a disaster strikes, local volunteers first check on one another’s safety, then assess the situation and determine what help is needed. Some volunteers are able to go directly to the front lines to assist, while others, though unable to go, channel their compassion into encouraging people to donate and help. Just as countless drops of water form a vast ocean, every act of kindness converges to provide powerful support for disaster-stricken communities.

As climate change worsens and disasters become more frequent, we must understand that what truly matters is cultivating compassionate hearts. When each person nurtures kindness and acts for the common good, the collective goodness we generate can help mitigate disasters. Never think you are powerless to make a difference. When we combine our strengths, much can be accomplished.

It is our mission and responsibility to alleviate suffering. That is why I feel deep gratitude every year during our volunteer certification ceremonies—each new volunteer adds strength to the global force of love that transforms lives.