Shih Cheng Yen's Blog, page 22

In Taiwan, Postpartum Mothers Welcome Eco-Friendly Diapers

The fastest way to care for the earth is to reduce consumption. Everyone should save electricity and water, eat a vegetarian diet, recycle and reuse resources! In short, live a simple life.

How about those new-born infants? Their diapers need to be changed constantly. How can they contribute toward caring for the earth? Here is the answer.

Giving birth in the Green Age, post-partum mothers are respecting environmental protection and doing their part for the earth! Let loving the earth no longer be a slogan, but be truly integrated into life.

Dalin Tzu Chi Postpartum Nursing Home not only provides vegetarian food to  reduce the carbon footprint, but also practices environmental protection in daily life. Through the ingenuity of Liao Hui-yan (廖慧燕), deputy director of the Nursing Department, and Feng Rui-ling (馮瑞伶), head of the Postpartum Care Home, eco-friendly diapers donated by an American couple combined with Tzu Chi's environmental protection ideas have been shared with postpartum mothers staying in the nursing home.

Feng said that the eco-friendly diapers were donated by Guo Wen-jun (郭紋君), a pregnant woman who had been hospitalized at Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital. Her husband Funette came from Boston, USA. After receiving Tzu Chi material on the concept of environmental protection, he began to change his food, clothing, housing, and transportation. He not only became a vegetarian but also changed the disposable diapers used by children into eco-friendly diapers. He said that,  since he became a father, he had thought about the value of his life. Because he likes outdoor sports, including swimming, mountain climbing and surfing, he always enjoys it. He hopes this nature and environment can last forever.

Feng said that Funette and his wife were very enthusiastic. To promote  environmental protection, they donated more than US$7,000 in diapers to the postpartum care home before returning to the U.S. To welcome the arrival of a new life, environmental protection is the best gift for the baby.

Yu-chen (宇辰), one of the mothers in the Postpartum Care Home, said that this was her third child. She had heard of eco-friendly diapers before, but had not seen them. She was surprised to see them for the first time, especially their touch, texture, and breathability. They are better than disposable diapers. At first she was worried that they would be troublesome and difficult to use. In fact, as long as you get used to using them, they are no trouble at all, just like washing clothes every day. They also save money -- unexpectedly.

In Tainan, Tzu Chi volunteer Wang Yue-zhi(王月治) has promoted environmental protection education and practiced it herself. In 2013, when she took care of her three grandchildren, she used unwanted cotton clothes to make eco-friendly diapers. They not only saved money but were also friendly to the environment.

 

Energy conservation and carbon reduction start from ourselves. We can truly care for the earth. This is something you and I can do.

 

Article by Jiang Pei-ru

Tzu Chi Volunteers Send Love and Care to Patients in Hong Kong Hospital

Volunteer Li Qiu-yue (李秋月) carefully reminded other volunteers how to wrap the gifts. Even though the gift is light, it is full of love -- these were Tzu Chi volunteers preparing items for patients and staff of Shatin Hospital in Hong Kong on Tzu Chi Day.

Promote Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation in Taitung, Taiwan

Save a life without harming yourself. You might be the one to save a life. Will you do it?

Promote Environmental Protection in Taichung, Taiwan

Protect the earth with action -- have you done it yet? Not only carry out environmental protection yourself but also invite others to love the earth. Can you?

Tzu Chi Brings Light and Warmth to Florida after Hurricane Ian

Katisha Jordan's broad smile made it impossible to imagine that she was a disaster survivor. Do you wonder how she could smile so joyfully after Hurricane Ian? Read more and you will find out.

Good Thoughts Resonate in Florida after Hurricane Ian

What does “Tzu Chi” mean? In Chinese, “Tzu” means “compassion” and “Chi” means “relief”. Together “Tzu Chi” means “to relieve suffering through compassion.”

The Joy of Doing Good -- Recycling in Taichung

How happy are we when we do something to benefit people and Mother Earth? Here is the experience of Chen Hung-Yi, Director-General of the Environmental Protection Bureau in Taichung City, Taiwan.

 

Coincidence

Chen shared the joy of doing good with Master Cheng Yen, founder of Tzu Chi, and her volunteers at the Jing Si Hall in Taichung on the morning of November 11th.

He said that he was so happy to share his experience with Tzu Chi again. He  humbly said that his bureau was second best in recycling in Taichung. Tzu Chi is number one.

Coincidentally, Master Cheng Yen began her mission of environmental protection after a lecture in Taichung in 1990. She told the audience to use the hands with which they were clapping to do environmental work. Chen had just graduated from college and later studied environmental engineering.

He grew up in the smoky environment of Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation (FCFC) in Changhua, Taiwan. Unintentionally, he was also raised in FCFC, where his father worked since he was young.

 

Learn From Tzu Chi

Chen said: “I have the opportunity to learn from Tzu Chi because of my public career. The clothes I am wearing today were developed by Da Ai Technology. What our Bureau does is the first half of the work of environmental protection. As for the second half, Tzu Chi occupies a very important position. It recycles resources that can be reused and turns them into products. This is not an easy task.”

Chen made an analogy: “A person's body needs arteries and veins to stay healthy. Arteries carry nutrients, just as governments supply people with water, electricity, and communications. On the other hand, Tzu Chi is like the veins of the body. It is calling on everyone to recycle in an environment-friendly manner, and cherish it when you recycle. If the rubbish really cannot be recycled, it will be disposed of by the environmental protection unit."

 

Thank you, Tzu Chi

Chen said: “When I was working in the EPA Resource Recovery Fund Management Committee at the Executive Yuan, I found out for the first time that Tzu Chi's recycling volume accounted for half of that of Taiwan's Environmental Protection Bureaus. It surprised me.”

Waipu, Taichung City is home to Taiwan's first food waste recycling power plant. It produces methane and uses natural gas to generate electricity. The remaining biogas residue is used as fertilizer for rice crops in cooperation with local farmers. The next harvest will be on November 15 this year. If there is a chance, he hopes that Tzu Chi will arrange for volunteers to visit the Waipu Green Energy Ecological Park to see how food waste generates electricity.

He felt grateful to Tzu Chi: “Thank you, Master, for continuing on the road of environmental protection, and continuing to lead us all to fight against oxidation. The Environmental Protection Bureau will continue to learn from Tzu Chi.”

Recently, Chen has also been reflecting on the fact that, during the pandemic, there were more delivery of goods. This resulted in nearly 40% more disposable containers. He actively tried to find a way and thought about how to recycle the oil-stained containers. He hopes to discuss this with Tzu Chi and learn more from them.

 

We all need to learn recycling. To love our planet, let us promote environmental protection and practice how to live in an eco-friendly way with our clapping hands. Waste reduction starts from the source -- us. We can do it.

Visit Da Ai Technology.

Article: Meichen Liao

In Mozambique, Tzu Chi distributes Cornmeal to Local Volunteers

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. Some families live on less than US$1 a day and often starve. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war have made life more difficult for Tzu Chi volunteers in Mozambique.

Tzu Chi has launched a food distribution program in Mozambique. It delivered the first tranche to 3,800 volunteers in Maputo city, hoping that it would alleviate the suffering of food shortages.

Share Love from Tzu Chi

On September 27, a cornmeal distribution was conducted at the Tzu Chi Mozambique Office in Mahatas. It helped 1,900 volunteers in seven districts of Maputo to reduce the economic pressure of their lives.

Volunteer Eunice said: "Volunteers have a difficult life and are in a crisis of hunger. We are very worried. From the COVID-19 to the recent war, the situation has become worse and worse."

Each bag of cornmeal had 12.5 kilograms, which is not light to hold. Volunteers passed the cornmeal bag by bag, and the happiness  spread. It was the hope of the family. While making their handprint, they did not have an ink pad. Instead, they used a ball pen to draw their fingers.

Although they lack resources, they are willing to share.

Volunteer Eva said: "I will share two cups of cornmeal with my neighbors to express the love of the Venerable Master Cheng Yen and mine."

Volunteer Marta said: "I will spread my love, and share the cornmeal with the elderly poor."

 

Inspired by Jing Si Aphorisms

Life is hard, but everyone is a rich person in the soul. Jing Si Aphorisms by Master Cheng Yen, the founder of Tzu Chi, have influenced them and inspired good thoughts in their hearts.

Tzu Chi volunteer Celeste Alfredo said: "If you want to go to the 10th floor, do we have to pass the 1st floor first? (Yes.) Can a child walk when born? (No.) He must be able to sit and crawl first.”

Volunteer Juliet said: "If we are unwilling to do little chores, it will be difficult to accomplish great things. Let's not take small things lightly, because they may lead us to a better life."

Cornmeal solves their immediate predicament, calms the mind and body, and has the strength to help others.

Every one contributes their love and it will become great ocean of love. Join Tzu Chi and let us shine the world with Great Love.

 

Article by Samuel Mhlope in Mozambique

7th Tzu Chi Forum Focuses on Global Common Good After Pandemic

The Tzu Chi Foundation held the 7th Tzu Chi Forum at the Jing Si Hall in Xindian, Taipei on October 29 and 30. This year’s theme was the “Global Common Good After the Pandemic: Partnership in Action on Net Zero, Digitalization, and Generations.” Experts, scholars and practitioners in related fields from around the world were invited to exchange and discuss ideas together; to move forward and achieve the common good and peace for all.

 

After Pandemic

At the end of 2019, COVID-19 spread rapidly around the world. Governments resorted to locking down cities and entire countries to contain the pandemic. The different anti-pandemic strategies have completely changed interpersonal interactions. Restrictions in the movement of people have reduced carbon emissions and accelerated the transition to a “digital society”- digital economy, digital education and digital religion, among others. At the same time, this digitalization has widened the gap between rich and poor, affecting young people’s education and employment. The problems caused by digitalization requires the attention and concerted effort of different generations.

 

Glocalization

The “Glocalization” caused by digitalization is a global trend. Humanity faces significant challenges that need international, interdisciplinary, interreligious, and intergenerational collaboration to overcome and improve human life and promote personal and environmental health.

Therefore, five keynote speeches, five keynote seminars, youth initiatives, and roundtable forums were planned for the two-day forum to discuss net zero carbon emissions and sustainable solutions, economic development and social justice in the era of pandemics. Also discussed were the digital generation of education, literacy, work, health and human rights, cross-domain actions of faith-based organizations during the pandemic, youth action to build the future, and the future of the earth and generations.

 

Opening Speech

Po-wen Yen, the CEO of the Foundation, said in his opening speech that the three major consensuses of this year’s forum were the current global extreme climate, global warming and concern about net-zero emissions. He stressed that only through the goal of net-zero emissions can global warming be curbed and natural disasters caused by extreme climates reduced. At the same time, due to these climate problems, disasters, and human factors, many social problems, especially the education gap, the economic gap, and the generation gap after digitization are all issues to which attention must be paid, he said.

 

Thankfulness

Deputy Minister Kao Shien-quey of the National Development Council thanked Tzu Chi for inviting talents from all over the world to make plans for Taiwan's future sustainable development. She pointed out that the abnormal catastrophes caused by the extreme climate had accelerated the specific actions of countries and enterprises to promote net zero carbon emissions. She also said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine had caused geopolitical risks to rise sharply and completely changed the rules of the world political and economic order. From the country and the enterprise to the individual, there are many challenges. Therefore, it is hoped that Taiwan will not only have one sacred mountain to protect the country, but everyone must unite to become a group of sacred mountains for this mission.

Wangdao

Stan Shih, founder of Acer, Inc., delivered a speech on the theme of “A Global Movement to Era of Sustainability”. He said that sustainable development was the common goal pursued by everyone. Only by implementing net-zero carbon emissions can we move towards the goal of sustainable development. The so-called “Wangdao” is the leader's way of large and small organizations. "Creating value, balancing interests, and sustainable operations" are the three core beliefs of Wangdao.

Shih said the sustainable development of the earth required net-zero carbon emissions, and the key to the success of net-zero carbon emissions was technology. As to the role that Taiwan can play, today's technology applications are based on semiconductors, and Taiwan is a silicon island of innovation. Therefore, based on existing technologies, Taiwan companies should actively invest in technological innovation and develop effective carbon reduction solutions. This would let the world know that "Taiwan can help", and Taiwan does its part. Taiwan’s position is as a friend of the world and it works for good with the world.

 

Net Zero and Social Justice

Eugene Chien, chairman and president of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE), gave a speech with the title of "Key Elements of Successful Net-Zero Transition". He said that climate change was very challenging. “As we are gradually moving towards the energy transition, the industry transition, a social transition, and a lifestyle change, it takes a full range of measures to ensure we will reach net zero. It not only requires large-scale fund-raising but also needs targeted high-impact climate laws and regulations, technology innovations, and advanced economic models,” he said.

Chien emphasized that, more importantly, social justice should be included in the transition to reach net-zero emission globally. While technology innovations are crucial, financial, political, and economic reconstruction is equally important to achieve it. Similarly, a concept known as “just transition to net zero” helps to ensure that the climate actions and investments required to net zero create a better future for everyone—regardless of who they are.

 

We have only one Earth, a precious place for all beings to live. Let us practice environmental protection in our daily lives and show our love to Mother Earth with our actions.

 

Click the links to watch The Seventh Tzu Chi Forum on YouTube.

10/29 am【 The Seventh Tzu Chi Forum 】

10/29 pm【 The Seventh Tzu Chi Forum 】

10/30 am【 The Seventh Tzu Chi Forum 】

10/30 pm【 The Seventh Tzu Chi Forum 】

 

 

Article: Sunny Yen; 2022/11/02

Tzu Chi Holds 30 Tuition Aid Ceremonies in Taiwan

In 2022, the Tzu Chi Foundation held more than 30 tuition aid award ceremonies in Taiwan at which about 9,500 students received awards. The first ceremony was held on October 16 at the Kaohsiung Jing Si Hall. More than 700 students from elementary school, middle school, high school, and college received praise.