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As Tzu Chi’s mission of compassion enters its 60th year, it marks a significant milestone worthy of celebration. It also symbolizes the unwavering commitment of Tzu Chi volunteers to follow in the footsteps of Master Cheng Yen, embodying the Dharma in the world through the “Eight Footprints” of its missions.
Although most volunteers from Tzu Chi Canada’s Eastern Region could not travel to the head office in Hualien to join the main celebrations, they shared the same aspiration: to offer their blessings for Tzu Chi’s 60th anniversary through concrete actions. On June 14, 2026, with the enthusiastic participation of 280 parents, teachers, students, and volunteers, the “Tzu Chi 60 Great Love Sports Day” was held successfully. Through sweat and laughter, they united in the power of love, adding a vibrant chapter to Tzu Chi’s 60th anniversary.
Promoting Great Love Through Sports, Practicing Humanistic Culture Through Action
Sammi Huang, the lead coordinator for the 60th-anniversary event, proposed the idea of a “Great Love Sports Day,” hoping to create an occasion where people of all ages could joyfully celebrate this special milestone together.
She explained that Master Cheng Yen encourages everyone to recruit more “living Bodhisattvas,” and a sports day is a practical and effective way to do so. The event also aimed to foster interaction among parents, teachers, and students of the Tzu Chi Academy through lively and culturally-rich athletic competitions. The goal was to cultivate teamwork in a fun atmosphere, putting into practice Tzu Chi’s philosophy of “promoting Great Love through sports and practicing humanistic culture through action.” The idea was immediately met with enthusiastic support from fellow volunteers.
Event preparations began in February with a search for a venue. While Toronto was still covered in heavy snow, volunteers were already scouting suitable locations. Anticipating the joint participation of three schools’ communities and Tzu Chi volunteers, they estimated a need for a space that could accommodate 500 people. After a thorough search, they finalized the Islamic Centre of Markham in the city’s east end.
Upon learning that Tzu Chi was organizing a 60th-anniversary celebration, the venue’s management expressed their support. As the center is a place of worship, there were specific guidelines for attire and music, such as requiring knee-length pants and sleeved tops. Volunteers saw this as an excellent opportunity to teach children to respect different religious cultures and readily agreed. With all conditions in place, the event was scheduled for June 14, 2026, which coincided with the last day of the school year for the Tzu Chi Academies in Toronto and North Toronto, providing a wonderful conclusion to the academic year.
Since this was their first time planning a large-scale sports event, Sammi Huang held numerous brainstorming meetings with the principals of the three schools. They planned a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and several fun parent-child games, hoping to strengthen family bonds and allow everyone to experience the joy of sports together.
Volunteers were also encouraged to participate. Even those assigned to functional team duties on the day of the event could support each other, ensuring their desire and enthusiasm to compete were not diminished.
This was a major event for Tzu Chi Canada’s Eastern region. In addition to welcoming volunteers from all five locations, the functional teams were primarily staffed by volunteers from the Greater Toronto Area. In late March, the lead coordinator formally sent invitations to the parents, teachers, and students of the three schools. Although the principals were busy with school affairs, they were all very excited about the prospect of witnessing this important moment in Tzu Chi’s history together.
To ensure the safety of all participants, the organizers invited the St. John Ambulance team to be on-site, stationed at the entrance of the sports center throughout the day to handle any emergencies.
As with any sports competition, bumps and sprains are inevitable. Gratefully, Dr. Kam-Shu Kwan and Dr. Chun-Yan Ho, both Tzu Chi volunteers, were present all day to provide immediate care to students and volunteers who fell or were injured. Their presence allowed everyone to run and compete with peace of mind.
Smooth Event Flow Thanks to Meticulous Planning
The spacious venue was divided into three activity areas. To highlight the 60th-anniversary theme, six large “Tzu Chi 60 Great Love Sports Day” backdrops were set up, becoming a focal point of the event.
Tents were set up outside where the Mississauga team managed general affairs, preparing coffee and snacks, while the North Toronto team was in charge of lunch, serving pizza that was a hit with both adults and children. Additionally, functional teams for registration, decoration, and medical services were all fully engaged. The event required a massive number of volunteers, and thanks to their dedicated efforts, the 60th-anniversary celebration was a great success.
Despite a light drizzle on the day of the event, all volunteers arrived at 7:30 AM to begin preparations. Once the setup was complete, parents, teachers, and students from each school began arriving and registering at 8:30 AM.
The administrative team distributed different colored stickers based on registration groups, which were worn on hands or clothing to guide the flow of participants. Despite the large number of attendees, the well-planned process allowed everyone to complete registration and confirm their event schedules efficiently.
At 9:20 AM, as planned, the busy Sammi Huang stepped into her role as emcee to officially kicked off the event.
The sight of students, teachers, and volunteers from the three schools lined up in neat rows was spectacular. Led by Hsiu-Chu Hsieh, Sammi Huang, and Su-Wen Chang, everyone did a warm-up routine to the school song, “The World Is Like a Great Classroom,” quickly getting everyone into a sporty mood.
The opening ceremony officially began with the national anthem and a prayer. Parents, teachers, and students from the three schools gathered to witness the significant moment of Tzu Chi’s 60th anniversary. The blessings of nearly 280 people converged into a wave of positive energy as they shouted in unison, “Happy 60th, Tzu Chi! Happy 90th, Master Cheng Yen!” The resounding cheer echoed through the venue, touching everyone present. This precious moment was captured by the lenses of Tzu Chi’s documentary volunteers.
Fun Competitions Bring Laughter for Parents and Children
The three schools each took responsibility for different activities, including the three-legged race organized by Mississauga, a ping-pong relay organized by North Toronto, and a parent-child ball-walking race organized by Toronto. These activities offered parents, teachers, and students joyful experiences beyond the classroom.
Before each game, staff explained the rules and demonstrated how to play. Many parents and children practiced eagerly on the sidelines, showing a strong desire to win. After all, competing alongside their parents was a rare opportunity for family bonding.
The most popular event, the three-legged race, attracted more than 170 participants. Many families, after completing one round, lined up to try again. Participants of all ages joined in: fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, siblings, and even classmates teamed up, creating a lively atmosphere.
Some children participated several times, earning both top-three ribbons and participation ribbons, happily collecting honors of different colors. The children especially treasured these rewards earned through effort, their faces beaming with satisfaction.
At first, people assumed age groups would be necessary, but during the races, children often proved to be faster than adults. Everyone discovered that the true challenge was not speed, but coordination and teamwork.
One mother-daughter team included a three-year-old child. Although they finished last, they completed the entire course with determination, earning warm applause and creating one of the event’s most touching moments.
The other fun competitions were equally filled with laughter. Volunteers, who had been busy with preparations, saw how much fun everyone was having and joined in themselves. There were teams of grandmother volunteers and teams of young teachers. Everyone set aside their usual roles and responsibilities to enjoy the pleasure of sports together.
Teachers, Students, and Volunteers Bond Through Teamwork
Six teachers and volunteers from Toronto also formed a team for the ping-pong relay, with nearly all teachers participating. Teacher Yi-Nan Chang mentioned that the teachers joined primarily for the experience and hoped to leave the prizes for students. Normally, teachers work in their classrooms and have few opportunities to complete tasks together. Through the competition, they not only increased their interaction but also gained a deep appreciation for cooperation.
She added that the teachers were all delighted to take part in the event. They particularly liked the opening ceremony’s blend of lightheartedness and solemnity, and found the warm-up to the school song to be a unique touch that helped build camaraderie and morale before the competitions began.
A volunteer team, formed by members from various regions including Shao-Ling Chu, Su-Wen Chang, Xiao-Rong Wang, Mei-Chun Liu, Fei-Yan Yu, and Peng Chang, chose to participate in the less strenuous ping-pong relay to get some exercise. These volunteers, usually busy with Tzu Chi work, rarely get a chance to put aside their duties and join a competition. They reminded each other of the rules and offered encouragement, showing warm interactions like family members.
The fun competitions adopted an “everyone’s a winner” approach, with awards presented immediately after each competition to give participants an instant sense of achievement. Although the prizes were just simple ribbons, the children treasured this honor, and the atmosphere remained lively throughout the day.
Energy Erupts at the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
To encourage broader participation, the basketball tournament was held in a 3-on-3 half-court format, which reduced physical demands and allowed different age groups to join in. On-site registration was also available, and the minimum age for participation was lowered to eleven. In addition to the 11-14 youth division, there were a 15-18 teen division and an adult division, making the tournament even more diverse and exciting.
On the court, the sounds of dribbling basketballs, cheers, and applause filled the air, making it the most energetic area of the event.
Thanks to Principal Tsan-Wei Wang of Mississauga, who had invited certified basketball referee Hao Yao, along with two volunteer referees to support the games, and with the help of Tzu Chi volunteers Chong-An Wang and Chang-Ping Pai as judges, the tournament was infused with a professional element, ensuring the games were fair and ran smoothly.
Teams competed by age group. Younger players showcased their speed and explosive energy, while older players demonstrated steadiness and experience. Whether in the men’s or women’s division, everyone gave their all on the court. Players were drenched in sweat, while spectators cheered them on relentlessly, with every basket met with a roar of applause.
Many teams in the men’s division were formed on the spot, while the women’s division saw the most enthusiastic participation with four teams. The teams were diverse, with parents and children playing together and teachers teaming up to compete. Everyone set aside their usual reserve and roles, running freely on the court and displaying true sportsmanship.
Due to its location, Mississauga is over an hour’s drive from the venue, resulting in fewer teachers and students attending. Nevertheless, it was moving to see that teachers Hsiu-Chu Hsieh, Yi-Ling Shih, and Tzu-Hsuan Yang, together with 11-year-old student Tzu-Fu Yang as a substitute, formed a women’s basketball team and even practiced on weekends to build chemistry.
On the court, the teachers revealed a side of themselves different from their classroom personas, competing actively in every game. Even when facing strong opponents, they fought hard until the final moment, setting an excellent example for their students of courage and perseverance in the face of challenges.
After a series of exciting round-robin matches, Executive Director Andersen Chu and Deputy Executive Director Tsan-Wei Wang personally presented trophies. All participants received their awards with joy and shouted in unison, “Master, we love you! Welcome to Tzu Chi!” This brought the atmosphere to a climax and created a precious memory of their collective efforts.
Everyone Together: Volunteers, Teachers, and Students Walk Side by Side
Beyond the competitions themselves, one of the most moving aspects was seeing so many families turn out in full force to participate in this event for the Tzu Chi community.
Ying-Nien Fu, a teacher from North Toronto, not only brought his students to the basketball tournament but also helped with scheduling and on-site logistics. He said that seeing so many families, from the elderly to the young, gathered to celebrate Tzu Chi’s 60th anniversary made him feel incredibly happy and proud to be part of the Tzu Chi family.
North Toronto student Jia-Xin Xiang attended the sports day with her grandfather, grandmother, father, and mother. Her grandfather found the activities very interesting, while her parents felt the strong sense of community within Tzu Chi. Participating in the celebration of Tzu Chi’s 60th anniversary and Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s 90th birthday felt especially meaningful.
The grandmother, who was visiting from Taiwan, was moved, saying it was rare to see so many Chinese families gather for an event overseas. Their family participated in all three fun competitions and had a wonderful time, vowing to return if the event is held again next year.
The Tan family, including Toronto Grade 3 class student Chen Tan and Grade 1 class student Jing Tan, attended as a family of four. The children excitedly shared that they had won second place. Their mother commented on how Tzu Chi puts great care into education, not only helping children learn in the classroom but also nurturing their character and confidence through activities.
Their father, usually busy with work, cherished the rare opportunity to interact with his children at the event. He found Tzu Chi’s activities to be a perfect blend of movement and quiet reflection and was deeply impressed by the unity of the teachers, students, and volunteers he witnessed at the opening ceremony.
North Toronto student Hsi-Jui Kuo and her younger sister Hsi-Rui Kuo also attended with their whole family. Hsi-Jui Kuo and her mother competed in the three-legged race and the ball-carry competition. Though out of breath, they had a great time. After practicing together, the mother-daughter duo won first place, much to their delight.
Meanwhile, her father teamed up with her older brother for the basketball tournament. After their own races, the mother and daughter immediately rushed to the basketball court to cheer for their family, creating a heartwarming scene of family participation. Their mother expressed her gratitude to Tzu Chi for organizing such an event, allowing the family to create beautiful summer memories.
Toronto student Kai-Rui Jin attended with his father, mother, and younger sisters, making a family of five. Although English is the primary language spoken at home, Kai-Rui Jin’s Chinese has gradually improved since joining the Tzu Chi Academy. His mother was happy to see her child build confidence and beam with joy after receiving award ribbons.
She noted the significant growth in her child through Tzu Chi’s humanistic education and activities, and now plans for her two younger children to join the Tzu Chi family in the future.
Incredible Affinities: Tzu Chi’s Seeds Spread Far and Wide
A touching story of affinity also unfolded during the event.
While arranging for the venue, a staff member named Mohamed Azam was exceptionally friendly toward Tzu Chi. He explained that he had known about the foundation for a long time. It turned out that Mohamed had immigrated to Canada from Sri Lanka in 2024. Growing up, he lived near a Great Love Village built by Tzu Chi and personally witnessed Tzu Chi’s efforts in the area.
His memory of Tzu Chi’s relief efforts after the 2004 South Asian tsunami was still vivid. Tzu Chi not only provided emergency aid but also helped disaster survivors rebuild their homes, enabling many people to regain hope for life.
Years later, after moving to Canada for work, he never expected to encounter Tzu Chi again through this “Great Love Sports Day.” This bond of kindness, spanning across borders and time, moved him deeply and served as a profound reminder to the volunteers present that the seeds of Tzu Chi had long been blossoming around the world.
Passing on Great Love Through Action, Sustaining the Power of Goodness
As the event began to wind down after 1:30 PM, many volunteers, parents, teachers, and students lingered, as the venue was booked until 4:00 PM.
Some continued with friendly basketball games, others played badminton, and some sat by the court chatting and catching up with old friends. After a busy school year, this was a rare moment for everyone to relax and connect.
Tzu Chi’s Great Love Sports Day was free of intense competition or pressure to win. Instead, it was filled with laughter, encouragement, and the warmth of a family reunion.
As the event drew to a close, Executive Director Andersen Chu thanked everyone for their collective effort in making Canada’s first-ever Great Love Sports Day a success. He encouraged volunteers not only to devote themselves to Tzu Chi’s mission, but also to maintain healthy bodies through exercise, build energy, and continue contributing to future Tzu Chi work and community service.
The sports day also brought parents, teachers, and students closer together, strengthening their friendships and laying a more solid foundation for the continuation and sustainable development of Tzu Chi’s humanistic values.
The Tzu Chi 60 Great Love Sports Day concluded successfully in the cool early-summer weather of June. Although it was just one of many events commemorating Tzu Chi’s 60th anniversary, it successfully united the Tzu Chi family through sports and interaction.
Indeed, while serving all living beings may bring moments of pressure and responsibility, the hearts of Tzu Chi volunteers are always filled with boundless tenderness and care. In this day of running, chasing, jumping, and playing, everyone used their sweat to write a story of unity and their laughter to convey blessings, all while gaining a deeper understanding that we are all one family.