Their story
Cheng Yen was born in 1937 in central Taiwan. After the sudden death of her father in 1960, she left home to pursue religious life, and in 1963 became a disciple of the scholar-monk Yinshun, who urged her to work 'for Buddhism and for all beings'.
In 1966, in Hualien on Taiwan's east coast, she founded the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation with thirty housewives who each saved a small coin a day for charity.
Under her leadership Tzu Chi built hospitals, a medical university and schools, a bone marrow registry and a television channel, and carried out disaster relief in many countries. She continues to lead the movement.
The world they lived in
Post-war Taiwan was poor, especially on its east coast, but grew rapidly richer. Taiwanese Buddhism, influenced by Taixu's reformist ideas, turned increasingly towards social engagement.
Their contribution
She made compassionate service, medical care, relief and environmental work, the centre of Buddhist practice for millions of lay volunteers.
Their legacy
Tzu Chi has millions of members and volunteers in dozens of countries and is one of the largest Buddhist organisations in the world. She received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1991.
History and tradition
What history can establish
Her life is documented by public records and the movement's own publications. She is a living person; only public facts are given here.
