Exemplary Contributions Worthy of Being a Model for Students and Faculty! Dharma Master Cheng Yen Awarded Honorary Dual Doctorates in Philosophy and Medicine by NYCU

Translated by Chance Lai
______

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) conferred an honorary dual doctorate in philosophy and medicine upon Dharma Master Cheng Yen, the founder of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation (BTCF), on May 12th, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to advancing charity, healthcare, education, and humanities globally.

The Humanitarian Dedication and Global Impact of Dharma Master Cheng Yen

Dharma Master Cheng Yen, since the establishment of the BTCF in 1966, began with charitable endeavors, responding to the needs of modern society, expanding into fields such as healthcare, education, and humanities, all demonstrating outstanding leadership and a spirit of dedication. Over the past six decades, she has led Tzu Chi volunteer teams to actively participate in disaster relief, healthcare, environmental protection, and other activities worldwide, exerting profound influence on social welfare and human spiritual civilization.

In the field of charity, Dharma Master Cheng Yen not only extends a helping hand promptly when disasters strike but also emphasizes long-term social care and relief efforts. She advocates the spirit of "benefiting others and oneself" and encourages volunteers to cultivate compassion, assisting more people in need. This cycle of kindness and love not only promotes social integration and progress but also inspires many to engage in and pay attention to charitable endeavors

In the medical field, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, starting from the establishment of a modern hospital in Hualien, has been committed to improving the healthcare standards and holistic care in remote areas, thereby constructing a network of health care across Taiwan. Her philosophy of "healing people, illnesses, and hearts" has united many volunteers and medical professionals from various countries, forming the Humanistic Medicine Association to collectively safeguard the lives and health of vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the establishment of the Tzu Chi Bone Marrow Donor Registry and transplant wards has brought renewed hope to countless patients with blood disorders.

In addition to her contributions in charity and healthcare, Dharma Master Cheng Yen has also garnered widespread attention for her concern regarding environmental issues. She advocates the concept of respecting life and cherishing the Earth, encouraging people to coexist harmoniously with nature and contribute to the sustainable development of the environment.

The actions and principles of Dharma Master Cheng Yen embody the compassionate and altruistic spirit of Buddhism, while also inspiring many to pursue human welfare and global peace. This aligns with the spirit of NYCU.

NYCU Awards Honorary Doctorate to Dharma Master Cheng Yen in Recognition of her Pursuit of Human Welfare

During the ceremony, NYCU President Chi-Hung Lin presented the honorary degree to Dharma Master Cheng Yen, acknowledging her actions and philosophies that have received both national admiration and international recognition. She has received recognition from several international organizations, including being named one of the BBC News' 100 Women of 2022, a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, and a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize, among others.

President Chi-Hung Lin remarked that Dharma Master Cheng Yen interprets the spirit of compassion and altruism through concrete actions, demonstrating the core principles of Buddhism and universal values to the world. This elevates human spiritual civilization and serves as a learning model for all students and faculty.

Following the receipt of the honorary doctorate, Dharma Master Cheng Yen expressed gratitude and returned this honor to her fellow Tzu Chi colleagues worldwide. She humbly questioned her qualifications to receive such a prestigious recognition, stating that she could only use this honor to motivate herself to engage more actively in charity work and spread love and kindness. She emphasized that education is the hope of humanity and urged everyone not to forget to love the world beyond formal schooling. Encouraging individuals to grasp the value of life and contribute to society, she envisioned the accumulation of gratitude and love merging across time and space.

Dharma Master Cheng Yen expresses gratitude for this honor to her colleagues in the four major missions and to Tzu Chi members worldwide, as well as to NYCU and the global Tzu Chi community for their encouragement.