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As midsummer arrives, so does the season of farewell songs. Teachers and students from five Tzu Chi Academy schools in the Metro Vancouver area gathered at Tzu Chi Canada to joyfully offer their sincere blessings to the twenty-four graduates of the 2022 academic year, wishing them well as they spread their wings and soar.
On the sunny morning of June 11, 2023, Tzu Chi Canada held a dignified and heartwarming “Joint Graduation Ceremony for Five Schools.” As years of learning came to a temporary close, the pride and relief of parents and teachers, who were helping the children with their graduation gowns, were channeled through their busy hands.
The Profound Impact of Character Education: Remembering the True Meaning of the School Motto
Director of Tzu Chi Academy Development Office, Chia-Pin Tang, told the assembly, “Tzu Chi Academy, guided by the Tzu Chi spirit embodied in our motto ‘Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Unselfish Giving; Sincerity, Integrity, Faith, and Steadfastness,’ teach children about Chinese culture, nurture healthy character traits, awaken their conscience, and inspire them to realize their potential.”
He expressed his hope that students would bring the humanistic spirit they learned back to their homes, practice it in their daily lives, and create a life of greater value. He also welcomed graduates to return and join the “Big Brother and Big Sister” volunteer program, viewing it as a continuation of their education, a reflection of their humanistic learning giving back, and a legacy of action.
Chien-Yi Chiu, Director of the Information Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, encouraged the students, saying, “Graduation is not the end of learning, but the beginning of another stage. You must understand the true meaning of ‘Gratitude, Respect, and Love.'” He sincerely thanked the Tzu Chi Academy for not only enhancing the students’ Chinese language skills but also for teaching them, through character education, to revere and respect all things, to cultivate selfless love in their hearts, and to be willing to contribute to society.
Full Heads of Grain Bow Low: Thank You, Teachers and Parents
For years, parents have braved all weather to drop off and accompany their children to class every Saturday. Watching their children on stage about to graduate, their eyes filled with tears of emotion.
Teachers personally turned the tassels for the graduates and presented them with their diplomas, blessing them with a safe and smooth journey ahead. The graduates took a deep bow to thank their parents, teachers, and Tzu Chi volunteers for their guidance and for accompanying them as they grew.
Yu-An Bai, a student from Tzu Chi Academy, Coquitlam, delivered a speech on behalf of the graduates: “I am grateful for the companionship of my teachers, parents, and volunteers. Being nurtured in a humanistic environment that emphasizes character education has helped me become a person who understands propriety and etiquette.”
Life is like a never-ending river of knowledge and experience; only by continuously moving forward can one experience its magnificent scenery. Kam-Yu Kwan, a graduate from Tzu Chi Academy, Richmond, quoted Laozi: “A tree that fills a person’s arms grows from a tiny seedling; a nine-story terrace is built from baskets of earth; a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” She used this to encourage all graduates and to remind herself to always be diligent.
With rich emotion and superb skill, Tzu-Jen Chen from Tzu Chi Academy, Vancouver delivered a powerful and stunning Guzheng performance of “Fighting the Typhoon.” Through the music, she transported everyone across time and space to experience the charm of Eastern musical culture.
A Parent’s Speech Expresses Gratitude and Blessings Amidst Tears
This year saw a record number of graduates receiving an award for their unwavering dedication to their studies and their perseverance in completing their education despite three years of a severe pandemic. A total of twenty-two graduates who had studied for over seven years received the award.
These students all have one thing in common: they followed Master Cheng Yen’s Jing Si Aphorism—”With faith, perseverance, and courage, there is nothing in the world that cannot be accomplished.” They were never afraid of difficulties and overcame them with their own persistence and confidence. By upholding this spirit of learning, they will achieve success wherever they go and whatever they do.
Ms. Hsin-Ju Wang, mother of graduate Hsin-Tung Chen, said, “Humanistic education is an education with warmth. The Humanistic School teaches not just Chinese, but more importantly, it nurtures humanistic values. I hope my child will cherish what she has learned and, as mentioned in the *Tao Te Ching*, be like ‘the highest good is like water,’ which is what the Buddha called ‘being compassionate,’ and become a person with a deep humanistic foundation.”
Ms. Li Jingwen, mother of Li Youjie, also stated that overseas children at Tzu Chi Academy not only learn Chinese but also cultivate good character. Through teachers’ profound yet easy-to-understand instruction, Tzu Chi’s humanistic spirit and Jing Si Aphorisms teaching help children understand and apply Jing Si Aphorisms in their daily lives—”Speak good words, do good deeds, think good thoughts, walk good paths,” thereby “planting seeds of goodness in their hearts.”
Li Youjie, who was nurtured from a young age by the examples set by teachers and volunteers, learned to help others. When fundraising for the Turkey earthquake, he unhesitatingly donated his Chinese New Year red packet money. As a second-generation Tzu Chi family member, Li Jingwen felt incredibly fortunate and happy that her child could engage with Tzu Chi. “I hope that in his future life, he can approach things positively and actively, making contributions to society,” she said.
Mr. Wang Jiongnian, father of Surrey graduate Wang Hongna, also stated that these many years have truly not been easy, and every graduate has worked hard. “Today’s hard work is tomorrow’s blooming flower. I wish you all the best!” he exclaimed. “The hope of society lies in talent, and the hope of talent lies in education.” The campuses, everywhere exhibiting Tzu Chi humanism, continuously infuse a positive influence, inspiring good thoughts in children’s hearts and fostering constant gratitude. He hoped the power of love would continue, and that with the blessings of teachers and parents, they would open up a brilliant future.
