Tzu Chi celebrates Mothers Day,
Buddha’s Day, 42nd Tzu Chi Day
PHILIPSBURG--The Tzu Chi Foundation of St. Maarten celebrated Mothers Day, Buddha’s (Teacher) Day and the 42nd Anniversary of Tzu Chi day with a reflection ceremony of the events last night in the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Centre.
The event began at 5:00pm with an exhibition titled “Coexist with Earth”. Several billboards focussing on the eight footsteps endorsed by the founder of Tzu Chi Chen Yeng, which include charity, medicine, education, humanity, international relief, bone marrow transplant, environmental protection and community service, were displayed in the courtyard of the centre.
The official programme commenced at 6:30pm with the honouring of all mothers on Mothers Day through poetry and dance in deep gratitude of parents by a group of young “Tzu Chi Angels”.
Reflecting on the 42nd Anniversary of Tzu Chi, one of the three largest Buddhist organisations in Taiwan, the 2002 to 2007 Tzu Chi St. Maarten report was presented via slideshow highlighting the areas amongst others charity work, medical, educational and community support offered by the local chapter.
Noted in the report was the total of US $290,008.91 donated in the areas of charity, education, medical, humanity and international relief by the local chapter. Also presented was the 2007 Tzu Chi world report via video, which made mention of the 10 million Tzu Chi volunteers in 46 countries to date, which included St. Maarten.
The St. Maarten chapter consists of a wide range of volunteers from the many different cultures on the island. Therefore, attendees at last night’s event were not only people from Taiwan, but also groups of individuals the local chapter supports and persons appreciating and understanding the Tzu Chi practice.
In honour of Buddha’s (Teacher) Day, founders of the local Tzu Chi organisation Sandra and Kit Wing Chung led the symbolic pledge to Buddha who died 2,500 years ago. The local Tzu Chi volunteers and interested attendees at the event followed the lead by honouring Buddha with flowers.
