Tzu Chi Foundation backs 80/20 lifestyle

[Ensapa]

Here's a nice lil article on how Tzu Chi is encouraging people to apply the Dharma in their lives and a brand new philosophy that they call 80/20. They are such a huge organization, where everything is being done in a systematic and uniform way and the whole idea revolves around benefitting others via being conscious about the environment and contributing in small ways where everyone can contribute. Very inspiring to read and learn!

Tzu Chi Foundation backs 80/20 lifestyle 

The Tzu Chi Foundation website tells the story of the Buddhist charity’s humble origins. Its Taiwanese founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, was visiting a health clinic when she spotted a pool of blood on the floor. It came from a poor indigenous woman who had gone into labour but couldn’t afford the US$200 fee. The woman was carried back to her village untreated.

Cheng Yen decided to do something about this by asking women in the area to donate a penny per day. If this had occurred over the course of a year, it would have been enough to pay for that woman’s treatment.

Cheng Yen wanted her disciples making donations this way rather than through monthly contributions, because it would make them think of the poor every day. Since then, the Tzu Chi Foundation has grown into a global organization, offering compassionate help in more than 70 countries, earning Cheng Yen a spot on Time magazine’s 2011 list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

This Labour Day weekend, Tzu Chi Foundation Canada volunteers will be at the Telus TaiwanFest on Granville Street, promoting one of Cheng Yen’s newest ideas: the 80/20 lifestyle. The charity’s Vancouver-based Canadian CEO, Gary Ho, told the Georgia Straight by phone that the 80/20 idea came to her after the Tzu Chi Foundation did some relief work in Burma. Cheng Yen noticed that people were so poor that they had no money to offer to low-income people, but they still wanted to help. So they took 20 percent of the rice off their plates and put it in a rice box. “It’s just like our piggy bank,” Ho said. “Not money, but rice—and they would put it in the bank to help others.”

Cheng Yen is advancing the notion of reducing consumption of food and other goods and services, including electricity, by 20 percent so that more can be shared with the needy. Ho pointed out that Tzu Chi Foundation staff employ this principle at the office when they’re having lunch.

“People misunderstand and think that we share the rest of the rice meal with others,” he stated. “It’s not like this. It’s the money we save [by not consuming] that we give to others.”

Ho quipped that this way of life helps him lose weight and avoid indigestion. And at this year’s Telus TaiwanFest, which runs from Saturday to Monday (September 1 to 3) in downtown Vancouver, Tzu Chi Foundation volunteers will present T-shirts to VIPs highlighting the 80/20 lifestyle. There will also be posters promoting the concept on tents along Granville Street in the downtown core.

The Tzu Chi Foundation has developed a stellar environmental reputation by dispatching volunteers to clean up the streets at major events, including the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival and the Canada Day celebrations. Ho said there will be more than 300 people picking up trash on each of the three days of Telus TaiwanFest.

Throughout the event, the foundation will also offer a free clinic with 60 practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, between noon and 6 p.m. in the 600 block of Granville Street.

At a news conference at the CBC building earlier this summer, Telus TaiwanFest organizer Charlie Wu credited the Tzu Chi Foundation’s volunteers for helping make the event a success in the past. “They do the dirty work,” Wu said. “We need more people like them in Vancouver.”

[Dorje Pakmo]

Dear Ensapa,
Thanks for sharing this article about Tzu Chi Foundation and how they inspire others to do Dharma. Often it is hard for a single person to contribute very much back to the society. But if EVERYONE or majority of the people, put in even a small amount of effort, be it monetary, physical work or just as simple change in habit can make a huge difference to our society and the world.

I find the 80/20 philosophy is very true and it actually help people to start thinking and doing their little bit for others because it is not a lot to ask. It is very good for people to be able to contribute and feel they have somehow do some good in their lives. By feeling positive after doing something good, people will relate their experience to others and more will be inspired to join the good cause.

This 80/20 idea also is good to teach people not to waste. There are so many others who are less fortunate. By being aware and not waste, makes an individual think about the sufferings that others are going through at another place. This is already a shift of mind to do good towards others and will plant the seed for a person to do more Dharma in the future.

 

[Tammy]

Tru Chi Fountation's idea of charity is always 'for the people, by the people'. They make donation 'effortable' so everyone could support their work. In Taiwan, being a 'Tze Chi ren' (meaning a Tzu Chi member or a regular volunteer) is something to be proud of.

I rejoice for those whose loves had changed for the better because of Tze Chi and sincerely wish there are more of such organizations to make this world a better place.

This 80/20 idea is so simple yet 'doable'. Anyone could adopt this idea to help people around us.

[bambi]

Master Cheng Yen is such an inspiring person. Like Mother Theresa of the East! I have read and heard of many great stories about Tzu Chi foundation. Its really good to cultivate Dharma and charity work together. People from any age can learn so much and give back to the society.

I used to think how great it would be if everyone donate just 1 dollar a day, how much can be achieved! I know there are people who do not like to donate a lump sum but imagine even the poor can afford it everyday. We can spend so much on materialistic needs so why not 1 dollar? We wont feel the pinch...

[Jessie Fong]

This 80/20 charitable idea is very easy for everyone to apply because like Tammy said, it is doable.

Yes it will be difficult for one person to contribute much but with the concentrated efforts of many people, the difference will be very huge.  People think that donations should come in a large sum from a small group of sponsors but if small sums are donated from a larger number of people, the donations still total up to a large figure.

[kris]

Thank you Ensapa for sharing this article, and this is such an inspiring idea!! I was told Christine has long established this practice where it is compulsory to give 10% of your income to the church, and that is one of the reasons why the church has grown so much fast.

All of the Buddhist centers in this world exists because of donations. The first person who begged for donations for Dharma is Lord Shakyamuni, hence he is holding the begging bowl. Therefore, for the Dharma to grow and spread, donations are much required. If we can voluntarily take out, let's say 20%, of our income for the benefit of Dharma, it will be very beneficiary.

Even if we can't start with 20%, may be we can start with 5% first?

[Galen]

Tzu Chi is well known to always be the first to be at the scene of any disasters in the world to help and assist. They have a ready to go force which can go anytime, anywhere to help. And now with the 80/20 initiative coined by Master Cheng Yen is brilliant and that many people can support in their own way. This lifestyle can encourage more people to do charity as it does not change their lifestyle drastically and can contribute without hurting their pocket.

The humble beginnings of Tzu Chi, where support came from house wives who save up their bus fare each day to help Master Cheng Yen, is very inspirational. They are also very innovative in self-sustaining their organisation like making candles and making blankets out of recyclable items. Many organisation can learn a lot from them.

[sonamdhargey]

I like the idea of 80/20. If charitable organisations NGOs have systematic way to have members of it's organisation to contribute like this in a consistent basis, it will garner positive results in the long run. The unique selling point here is how easily it is done. Everyone including the public can afford small amount to contribute in the long run. Going for big amounts at the shortest time possible is nice but what are the chances to get big amount in a short time? Building a foundation is key to success to any organisation.

[hope rainbow]

80/20

What a wonderful idea! wonderful!
Of course because it benefits others, but also because it is so easy to understand.
And when it is easy to understand, it is easy to remember and practice.
And at the end of the day, it all about practicing.

Just as wisdom or compassion not practiced is as good as nothing...

[RedLantern]

Founded in 1966 by Dharma master Cheng Yen in the impoverished east coast of Taiwan.They help everyone help everyone regardless of race,religion and all the labels to separate or differentiate ourselves.
The way the organization help others and with much compassion.
Dharma master Cheng Yen deeply believes that all people are capable of same great compassion as the Buddha.True compassion,however is not just having sympathy for other's sufferings-it is to reach out to relieve that suffering with concrete actions.The organization promotes inner peace and happiness to the individual,and pave the way for peace and harmony.
 

[diamond girl]

One word - Brilliant!

Master Chen Yen is innovative and down to earth. She makes the art of giving a two-way gain process. One is the giver gains with less consumption and better health, and the recipients receive substantially because giving is made so logical and easily. Like what Tammy said that it is affordable. Many people cannot give huge amounts at a single moment even if they sincerely support a cause. However with this 80/20 concept it can be done with not much effort and hesitation.

In addition, Master Chen Yen is also conquering the self-centered mind which always thinks what have I to gain by "giving up" this or that.

Brilliant... My deepest respect and honor to Master Chen Yen and the success of her foundation. 

[vajratruth]

It is such a simple idea and the wonderful part is that everyone can participate in charity and not feel like they cannot do much. This is very empowering.  The idea is so simple and so is the execution and therefore it enjoys mass appeal and participation. Of course when enough people participate in something, it quickly reaches a tipping point and then it becomes a culture that runs on its own momentum. This seems to be the engine behind Tzu Chi's tremendous growth and success. Ideas that are easy to sell, easy to execute, easy to manage and can be applied en-mass.

Another thing that I like about this idea is that it cultivates Living Dharma i.e. Dharma becomes part of the ordinary living. It quickly becomes an effortless habit. It gives ordinary people something good and worthy to aim for every day in their lives.

[WisdomBeing]

I just wanted to address what Bambi said about everyone can afford a dollar. Actually, that is a first world problem. We think that everyone can afford a dollar but when the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita per annum is less than USD 365, it means that the person is subsisting on USD1 a day. These people cannot afford a dollar. Somalia’s GNI is USD150. Nepal is USD540. Check this out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GNI_%28nominal,_Atlas_method%29_per_capita.

I guess you are referring to the people on the forum here who would have a computer, an internet connection, which implies a roof over their heads and thus able to afford a USD1 a day. I’ve actually spoken to a few people on facebook who are staying at their parent’s home, and because they are disabled, they have medical bills which mean that USD1 is too much too spare. Yes perhaps they could cut their internet line but then they would cut off their very connection to the Dorje Shugden community which they thrive on everyday.

Why I wanted to bring this up is that everyone who has the capacity to give should give, so that those who do not and cannot, can rejoice in our giving. I like the 20% giving idea because it then is not a set amount but simply a percentage of our consumption.

[so_003]

Every thing is doable if one place a heart in it or work on it.

Saving a penny a day in a year that is no longer a penny instead a dollar. Poor does not mean one cant do charity. If we all save a bit everyday we are able to help other people to have some food over their table daily.

There are people that cant even come out with a dollar. But does this mean that they are bad. Well is the circumstances that they are in and that does not mean that they are bad or not compassionate.

I like master Cheng Yen idea.

[Positive Change]

Instilling a "setting aside" for the less fortunate within our own means is a very good habit. This is because we will then "give" within our own means. Its not like we need to cough up more. It is merely using up less and giving the balance. I support this very minor change in our attitude and lifestyle. We can all do this in our own little or big way. And as the article states, it is certainly less of a pinch when done daily as opposed to coughing up a large lump sum at one go. It would be similar in the long run but the psychological "impact" is far less. This is truly a brilliant initiative.

In fact, I have heard that in Chinese culture this practice in some form has existed for a while, whereby the other villagers would support the less for fortunate ones within the village by giving whatever little food they can do without. Hence in its entirety, these little gestures would amount to something substantial in the long run.

Imagine if every person on this planet were to support this initiative, we could well end world hunger AND poverty and would even have access to boot. Time to set aside our selfish attitudes and let our true nature of sharing and giving come to rise.