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Tzu Chi Meal, Tzu Chi Tea, Tzu
Chi Members Social
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| (Translated by Mike Lee, Northern
CA) |
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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.
