Tzu Chi Meal, Tzu Chi Tea, Tzu Chi Members Social

In the early days, Tzu Chi people would gather at the homes of commissioners, eat a meal, and then have a small meeting during which they would share their thoughts. This was called the Tzu Chi Meal.

The history of the Tzu Chi Meal can be traced back to 1978 or 1979. Back then, whenever Master Cheng Yen went to Taipei to see how the foundation members there were doing, Tzu Chi commissioners would take advantage of the lunch hours to hold meetings. They would find a commissioner's house that was spacious enough to hold lots of people, and everyone would gather there to hear the Master speak and to report on their work.

Later on, as membership increased and the number of participants reached over a hundred people, the get-together was changed to a tea social where snacks were prepared instead of full meals. This was called the Tzu Chi Tea.

By 1991, more and more people were taking part in the Tzu Chi Teas. Anywhere from a hundred to more than a thousand people participated each time. Therefore, the event was again changed to a Tzu Chi Members Social, in which commissioners led regular members.

Whether a Tzu Chi Meal or a Tzu Chi Tea, such gatherings are held everywhere.