Together We Stand

[ 86 ] Giving with two hands and a bow Hanford Lin, Chien-Cheng Yang, Steve Chiu, Stephen Fomba and Debra Boudreaux, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation T he Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, or Tzu Chi for short, places great emphasis on preserving dignity during its relief aid efforts and distribution events. It ensures that volunteers uphold the tradition of respect by bowing a full 90 degrees to the aid recipient and handing off relief supplies with both hands, preserving the dignity of every man, woman and child, taking to heart the value of the bow. This simple universal gesture of respect preserves the sense of self-worth for the aid recipients and empowers them to rise up to adversity. All over the world, recipients that have been helped by Tzu Chi eventually become volunteers themselves, and are taught to continue the tradition of giving with respect. Being founded on the faith-based principles and philosophies of Buddhism, Tzu Chi volunteers hold true the teachings of the organiza- tion’s founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, among which is the importance of humility and compassion when providing aid, and of preserving dignity and what it means to be human in times of adversity and struggle. Every humanitarian work done by Tzu Chi is accompanied by certified volunteers who are mindful and aware of the negative effects of receiving humanitarian aid on the psyche. Those who require support from charitable organizations often lose their sense of worth and are often looked down upon in society. Tzu Chi volun- teers distribute donations and supplies to recipients with two hands and a bow, thanking them for the opportunity to give. Innovations from the organization reflect well on these teachings. One of the items sent to the vulnerable populations is the Jing-Si multipurpose folding bed — a well-ventilated bed made from food-grade polypropylene that can be folded together to be easily carried and can also function as a lounge chair, a table and a storage space for personal items. The beds are donated to those without homes, either due to poverty or as a result of a devastating natural disaster. Those affected by these circumstances find themselves sleeping on the ground, Tzu Chi volunteers distribute blankets with two hands and a bow to those affected by the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal Image: Huang Zong Bao/Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation T ogether W e S tand