Cheng-Yen’s Tireless Quest

Journal

Cheng-yen’s Tireless Quest

Author: Margo Pfeiff

Cheng-yen is a Buddhist nun that has “touched the hearts of millions” in an effort to help the poor. She is a driving force behind the Tz’u-chi (means compassionate giving) Contribution society. In a determined effort, she helps the poor everyday. Every morning at the Tz’u-chi General Hospital in Hualien, Cheng-yen greets the patients at the hospital and comforts them. She strides to leave outstretched hand untouched and passes no troubled face without a comforting word. Cheng-yen states that “the smile of a sick patient is the most beautiful thing in the world.” Cheng-yen has moved the hearts of millions for 27 years ever since she joined the Buddhist Tz’u-chi.

Tz’u-chi is a 2.6 million member organization which is one of Taiwan’s most trusted charities. The organization is made up of more than 3000 “commissioners” (people that donate their time to work). Their community supports itself by making and selling candles, baby shoes, bean and seed powders, and also by growing vegetables.

Cheng-yen was born on May 14, 1937 and lived in a middle class family of 11 children. She was adopted by her uncle when she was very young and was only educated through elementary school. In 1952 her adoptive mother had a life threatening stomach ailment. Cheng-yen went to a Buddhist Temple where she prayed and her surrogate mother recovered. When her adoptive father died in 1960, Cheng-yen began visiting a Buddhist Temple near her home regularly. It was then that the idea of being a nun came to her. In December of 1961 she shaved her head as a sign of commitment to her faith. Also, in 1963, by chance she met Yin Shun, one of Buddhism’s greatest abbots. He gave her the name Cheng-yen.

Once when Cheng-yen walked into a hospital to visit a sick friend, she found herself standing in front of the doorway of the hospital where there was a pool of blood. Shocked by the scene, she...