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Upholding Master Cheng Yen’s original aspiration “for Buddha’s teachings, for all living beings,” the Tzu Chi Academy is rooted in the Tzu Chi spirit of “starting from fifty cents.” It transforms gratitude toward parents, teachers, and the Buddha into motivation for learning and seeking the Dharma. The school pours love into its students and integrates character education into teaching through both example and words. Buddhist values form the core of the Tzu Chi Academy’s educational philosophy.
On this day, all teachers, students, and parents of the Tzu Chi Academy, Vancouver gathered for the grand closing ceremony of the 2025 school year. Thanks to the thoughtful planning of the organizing team, the event welcomed approximately 250 attendees, who came together to witness the educational achievements of the year, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
Paving the Way with Love for a Joyful Closing Ceremony
Before the ceremony began, volunteers arrived early to set up the venue. They arranged tables and chairs according to the floor plan, posted class signs, and set up the sound system. Their spirit of “giving without asking for anything in return, only to spread great love” was truly touching.
As teachers and students arrived and gathered in their designated class areas, teachers not only offered kind reminders but also presented gifts to the students, showing their dedication.
As the ceremony officially began, accompanied by enthusiastic applause and the music “Colorful Wings,” two graduates, each holding a flower girl’s hand, walked through the Gate of Happiness toward the stage, where teachers offered their blessings for a bright future.
Principal Li-Hui Chang delivered a heartfelt and moving message of “loving reminder.” Over the past year, students not only improved their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills but also learned many principles of good conduct through their daily etiquette. She thanked both teachers and students for their hard work and wished everyone fulfillment in blessings and wisdom.
Wan-Hui Miao, CEO of the Tzu Chi Foundation Canada, attended and gave a speech. He encouraged students to cherish their learning opportunities at the academy, emphasizing the importance of learning not just knowledge, but also how to love and be grateful. He stated that only with a strong humanistic foundation and compassionate heart can these become lifelong assets.
Chun-Yen Lin, Director of the Department of Education Development, also spoke about the school’s teaching plans and future development. He expressed hope that all teachers and students would work together to achieve great things in this loving environment of Tzu Chi’s humanistic education and wished everyone a pleasant summer vacation.
Humanistic Education Takes Root, Yielding Abundant Learning Outcomes
This academic year, the Tzu Chi Academy had ten classes, covering different levels from early childhood to Grade 7, with students ranging from four to sixteen years old. In the 2025 academic year, the school enrolled a total of 135 students. The academy is dedicated to creating an environment of humanistic education, allowing students to grow in balance through both traditional culture and modern knowledge. Everyone present witnessed highlights of the students’ learning and activities throughout the year, which was met with resounding applause.
The highlight of the ceremony was the awards presentation, which recognized students who had excelled over the past academic year. Among them, fifteen students received the “Perfect Attendance Award,” demonstrating their dedication and passion for learning with their 100% attendance rate. Fifteen students received the “Academic Improvement Award,” proving that steady effort leads to growth and that persistence yields results. Fourteen students earned the “Academic Excellence Award,” showcasing their hard work and intelligence in their studies. These awards are not only a recognition of individual achievement but also set examples of diligence and inspire all students to work hard for fruitful outcomes.
In addition, ten students received the “Chinese Character Culture Festival Participation Award,” and eleven received the “Jing Si Aphorism Model Award.” These awards encourage students not only to study hard but also to actively participate in extracurricular activities, carrying on and promoting the Tzu Chi values. Between award presentations, students took turns performing a series of surprising and delightful talent shows. The atmosphere was electric, with cheers erupting time and again, bringing the ceremony to one climax after another.
The flower presentation ceremony expressed the academy’s gratitude for the hard work and time dedicated by all faculty, staff, and outstanding alumni over the past year. It also served to thank parents for their ongoing support of the school. As the ceremony concluded successfully, the Tzu Chi Academy pledged to continue to uphold Tzu Chi’s mission, using love and care as its ink to write more heartwarming chapters in the new academic year.
