Opinion: Sharing the Story of Tzu Chi's 'One Grain of Rice' with CEO Yan Bowen

Since the early, difficult days of the Tzu Chi Merit Association, Dharma Master Cheng Yen has distributed supplies and white rice to impoverished families on the 24th day of each lunar month, while also holding a Medicine Buddha Dharma Assembly. On that day, porridge was cooked and served to those who came to receive rice.

When rice was insufficient, Dharma Master Cheng Yen would sometimes borrow rice from Yongfu, the caretaker of a temple dedicated to the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha. In the past, rice bags occasionally developed holes, causing grains to spill. One disciple, seeing rice scattered on the ground, felt it was wasteful and carefully picked up a handful. Then, asking where to return the rice, they happened to be observed by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, who instructed:

"Not back into our rice jar. We must return these grains to the original bag they came from. Why? Because the rice jar belongs to our monastery, but this rice was purchased by the foundation to give to our care recipients. Since the foundation bought this rice, it must not be placed into our personal rice jar."

Every grain meant for charity must be treasured and accounted for. This is how Dharma Master Cheng Yen taught through both words and actions.

On distribution days, the porridge cooked on-site was sometimes insufficient, so extra ladles of water were added—one, then two. As more water was added, when the pot lid was lifted, reflections could be seen inside the pot: green mountains, white clouds, blue skies, and large trees... This image became a profound memory for Dharma Master Cheng Yen of that era.

This is the story behind Tzu Chi's saying: "One grain of rice contains the sun and moon; half a liter pot simmers entire mountains and rivers." No matter how hard the circumstances, one must do good to the best of their ability. To this day, the vast majority of Tzu Chi members' donations are small, accumulated monthly contributions of fifty or one hundred New Taiwan dollars.

During the severe phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, countless people were infected and dying daily. Tzu Chi commissioned Yu-Da Company, managed by lawyer Chen Yu-Hsuan, to purchase vaccines. Later, Chen was indicted on money laundering charges. While it remains to be determined by the courts whether the transaction with Tzu Chi constituted fraud, it is a fact that Tzu Chi lost NT$1 billion in charitable funds to a suspect in a money laundering case. What value did this money actually bring to vaccine procurement? This has become the biggest question among donors.

To Tzu Chi, this may have been merely a commissioned project. In the eyes of the law, Tzu Chi may simply be a victim. But to donors, Tzu Chi bears responsibility. It cannot be denied that this incident has created a public perception that Tzu Chi does not cherish donated funds.

As a Tzu Chi member and vaccine donor, I have one heartfelt request: CEO Yan Bowen, please, on behalf of Tzu Chi, apologize to all members and donors for the loss of NT$1 billion in charitable funds. An apology need not be made because a law was broken or a mistake committed, but simply to uphold the responsibility that Tzu Chi carries. Remaining indifferent to this incident would only confirm the public's mockery that Tzu Chi is so wealthy it has become numb.

By humbling yourself and apologizing, you take the first step toward restoring donors' confidence in how Tzu Chi manages its funds. Implement reforms to prevent recurrence, and lead the foundation in deeply inheriting the Jing Si household tradition of self-discipline and returning to propriety.

One grain of rice is as large as Mount Sumeru! Exercise caution and reverence!