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A new round of the “Tzu Chi Eastern Canada Chapter Commissioner and Faith Corps Advanced Training and Trainee Nurturing Program” officially began on Saturday, September 13, at the Toronto Jing Si Hall. A total of fifty-five people participated, including one commissioner-in-training, one trainee commissioner, two trainee Faith Corps members, and fifty-one certified commissioners, Faith Corps members, and community volunteers. The program commenced in a solemn atmosphere filled with sincere blessings.
Deepening the Understanding of Tzu Chi
The program opened with a “Life Wisdom” segment, reminding everyone to remember Master Cheng Yen’s original intention of upholding the “50-cent spirit” for the past fifty-nine years. Tzu Chi volunteers have always walked the Bodhisattva path with the Buddha, which is not only a practice of action but also a manifestation of love and gratitude. Participants cherished this spiritual sanctuary, vowing to take on responsibilities, contribute with their hearts, foster good affinities, and collectively create a harmonious world.
In the session “Everywhere is a Place of Practice, Every Moment is a Time for Practice,” Tzu Chi volunteer Chan-Wei Wang used a humorous and lively approach. Through clips from Da Ai dramas, he guided everyone to realize that spiritual practice is not confined to remote mountains or Buddhist halls, nor is it limited to Tzu Chi activities. Instead, it happens in daily interactions with people. Spiritual practice is about refining oneself, not fixing others; every aspect of daily life—walking, standing, sitting, and lying down—is a venue for practice. He also shared that Tzu Chi has in recent years changed the term from “training” to “nurturing,” implying that a compassionate heart is not developed through training but inspired through long-term companionship and selfless giving.
Next, the game “Fishing for ‘Truth’ from the Ocean,” designed by Tzu Chi volunteer Jing Yuan, brought a fresh experience. By drawing slips of paper with key events in Tzu Chi’s history and posting them on boards representing the “Four Major Missions” of Charity, Medicine, Education, and Humanistic Culture, participants reviewed Tzu Chi’s fifty-nine years of hardship and achievements amidst laughter and debate. In the end, everyone realized that the Four Missions are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, and that creating further glory depends on firm faith and vows.
In the “Buddhist Etiquette” session, Tzu Chi volunteer Chia-Ling Ho personally demonstrated the four dignified postures of a Buddhist practitioner: “Walk like the wind, stand like a pine, sit like a bell, and lie like a bow.” She guided the new participants through the details of each posture, reminding everyone that maintaining solemnity in daily life can not only discipline oneself but also cultivate character, nurture the mind, and overcome indolence.
Afterward, under the guidance of Tzu Chi volunteer Su-Wen Chang, participants learned the sign language interpretation of “Wondrous Hands Bring Forth Flowers,” experiencing the beauty of conveying the Dharma silently. Sign language not only brings solemnity to the practice hall but is also a form of spiritual cultivation. Shun-Chih Lin described that simply singing is like walking on a flat road, whereas performing with sign language is like climbing a mountain—every step is deeply etched in the heart, turning each lyric into a life-long imprint.
In the “Rules and Direction” class, Tzu Chi volunteer Chi-Cheng Chu explained the regulations and spirit of the trainee nurturing program, hoping that with Tzu Chi’s companionship, participants could find the truth, find peace of mind, and find themselves.
Sharing and Touching Moments
At the end of the program, participants joyfully shared their takeaways. Anas from Morocco, who has a large beard, persevered through the entire day’s course despite a language barrier. He hopes to complete his traineeship and help more people in the future.
During the sign language session, new teacher Yu-Hsuan deeply resonated with the Jing Si Aphorism, “When you find fault with others, it means you lack cultivation yourself,” and said it would be an important inspiration for her future teaching. New participants from mainland China, Hsueh Li, Yun Geng, and Ling-Yu Chou, also shared their experiences, touching on topics of affinity, attachment, and optimism. Ling-Yu Chou humorously concluded, “It’s good that you came, and it will only get better!”
The full-day program concluded perfectly, filled with Dharma joy and gratitude. Each person’s sharing was like a bright lamp, illuminating everyone’s hearts. The Tzu Chi spirit is not just an ideal but a force for action. Our vows make us fearless on the path ahead, and walking alongside our Dharma family means we are never alone. On the Tzu Chi path, every drop of warmth and light will continuously remind us to advance together on the Bodhisattva path.
