Bhiksuni Cheng Yen

Taiwan

Bhiksuni Cheng Yen was born in a small town in central Taiwan in 1937. When she was 23 years old, she left home to become a Buddhist nun. She ordained herself.

The Master has always led a simple and virtuous life. In her frugalities, she made candles and bean powder to maintain a living. The Master has little interest in ritual and ceremony. Her gift is service.

In 1966, she established the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation. For 30 years this organization has concentrated its activities in the major areas of charity, medicine, education, culture and international relief.

In 1991, Bhiksuni Cheng Yen received the “Asian Nobel Prize,” the Philippine Magsaysay Award.

Living a simple life with only the basic necessities, the Master actively pursued her work of helping the poor and educating the rich. The Bhiksuni Cheng Yen has more than four million students internationally. She has empowered them to acts of human kindness and service throughout the world.

Bhiksuni Cheng Yen has to date made the greatest Buddhist international effort in social work and humanitarian service.