A Buddhist nun who started the Taiwan-based Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation is to be awarded the 24th Niwano Peace Prize, the Japan-based Niwano Peace Foundation has announced.It said on 27 February the prize was going to Dharma Master (Buddhist teacher) Cheng Yen for her efforts to "put traditional Buddhist teachings and spirit into the practice of helping the poor in a contemporary context".
The Niwano Peace Foundation was chartered in 1978 to promote a culture of peace. Some of its leaders have referred to their prize as the Nobel Peace Prize of the faith-based community.
Cheng Yen was born in 1937 and set up Tzu Chi in 1966 at Pu Ming Temple on the east coast of Taiwan. It now provides relief and medical services in various parts of the world. "Starting with just 30 members, Tzu Chi has now recruited millions of volunteers in 231 offices in 40 countries," the Niwano group stated. "
Every day, close to 100 000 volunteers carry out the Master's teaching to help the poor and spread compassion to every dark corner of the world." Cheng Yen "comes from a pietistic traditional Buddhist background, but she was not satisfied with traditional teachings and practices, especially with Buddhist receptivity to enduring suffering in life", the Niwano foundation noted. "
In general, Buddhism tends to focus on meditative states of mind, neglecting the importance of change in the secular world. But, Master Cheng Yen felt the necessity for assisting the poor who were suffering both from medical and economic difficulties." This led to her mission of making "Western medicine" and medical facilities available to people in poverty. "
The ideas and compassion of Master Cheng Yen and the work of the Tzu Chi Foundation make a great contribution toward world peace," said the Niwano foundation. The presentation ceremony of the Niwano Peace Prize will take place in Tokyo on 10 May.
In addition to the award certificate, Master Cheng Yen will receive a medal and 20 million yen (US$168 420).
Previous winners include the Rev. Philip Potter, former general secretary of the World Council of Churches; the Community of Sant'Egidio, a Roman Catholic lay association based in Rome; the World Muslim Congress; and the Corrymeela Community in Northern Ireland.
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