Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

秉持「無緣大慈、同體大悲」精神，1966年證嚴上人於臺灣花蓮創立「佛教慈濟克難功德會」；上人ㄧ生奉行「自力更生、不受供養」，初期與五位弟子，以縫製嬰兒鞋、從事農作等開展慈善工作，並啟發三十多位家庭主婦每天從買菜錢裡省下五角錢投入竹筒，作為幫助孤老貧病的救助金；由於善行遠佈，慈善濟貧的關懷工作，也由花蓮一隅而逐步擴展至全臺各區。到1979年，為在花蓮籌建「佛教慈濟綜合醫院」，遂向省府提出財團法人申請，於1980年1月成立「財團法人佛教慈濟慈善事業基金會」，集合社會善心人士及專家學者致力於慈善、醫療、教育、人文，四大志業之推展，及國際賑災、骨髓捐贈、環保、社區志工等工作。

我們關心貧窮與飢餓問題，除了提供有形的生活濟助、物資提供，拔苦與樂，更重視心靈的膚慰，期能做到「拔苦與樂」，不讓貧窮複製，同時啟發翻轉人生、自立脫貧。慈濟慈善足跡共走過六十三個國家地區，慈濟志工在各地關懷，持續「大愛共伴有情天」以愛接引，秉持「寸步鋪路護大地」讓善循環。

The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer-based international non-governmental organization, established in Hualien, Taiwan by a Buddhist nun, Master Cheng Yen in 1966. From a group of 30 female
homemakers who saved approximately 2 cents USD from their grocery budget each day to help the needy, Tzu Chi has now grown to over 10 million supporters in 100 countries around the world. “Tzu Chi,” which literally means “Compassionate Relief,” can also be interpreted as, “to serve with compassion,” an act which is held true by all Tzu Chi volunteers---individuals guided by the principles of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. The Foundation works in the fields of charity, medicine, education, humanistic culture, disaster relief, environmen protection, bone marrow donor registry, and community volunteerism.