Mission of Culture

(Translated by Martina Lin)

Chinese version

The Tzu Chi Mission of Culture plays an important role in spreading Buddhist culture. Everything from radio, audiotapes, publications and TV broadcasting to the Internet is fully utilized. We hope that through these media, people can learn about Buddhism and the Tzu Chi culture, and that we can help save all people from the suffering of this world.

Tzu Chi officially published the first issue of Tzu Chi Monthly magazine in July 1967. That was the first step that Master Cheng Yen took to advocate Buddhism culture. A medical scholarship was established in 1982 to encourage talented young people to move into the medical field. A radio show, "The Tzu Chi World," was first broadcast in January 1985. On August 1, 1986, the Tzu Chi Cultural Center was opened in Taipei. Six days later, the Tzu Chi General Hospital in Hualien was opened, and ground was broken for construction of the Still Thoughts Hall, the "cultural castle of the Tzu Chi spirit." Another biweekly magazine, the Tzu Chi Companion, was first published in September 1986. To give readers convenient access to Tzu Chi publications, the Tzu Chi Cultural Publishing company was established in 1990. Buddhist and Tzu Chi cultural publications and books were then delivered to bookstores and convenience stores, instead of being passed out by volunteers.

Starting from January 1991, in conjunction with the Taiwan Government Information Office and the Labor Bureau, Tzu Chi hosted the "Happy Life" series of public lectures. By January 1996, over a hundred lectures had been given. The "Tzu Chi World," a TV program, was first broadcast on the Taiwan Television cable network in February 1995. On January 1, 1996, the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation went on the Wide World Web (http://www.tzuchi.org.tw) to spread Tzu Chi's love and culture to every corner of the world. The Tzu Chi Great Love Television station began broadcasting on January 1, 1998. On August 1 of the same year, Rhythms Magazine was first officially published. As of now, we can say that the promotion strategy of the Tzu Chi mission of culture is quite complete.

The first issue of the Tzu Chi World monthly magazine was published in Los Angeles in 1991. The Vancouver Chinese Voice radio station has broadcast eight minutes of Master Cheng Yen's Still Thoughts every Friday since 1992. These activities have helped to motivate Tzu Chi people abroad to promote the Tzu Chi mission of culture overseas.

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