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In 2026, Tzu Chi reaches n important milestone: its 60th anniversary. On the afternoon of March 1st, although the sun was shining brightly outdoors in Ottawa, the temperature remained freezing. Inside the Tzu Chi Ottawa Office, however, it was warm and radiant.
Tzu Chi volunteers and members gathered together for the annual “New Year Blessing Ceremony,” lighting the lamp of hope and Great Love in the midst of winter.
Never Forget the Original Aspiration: Bamboo Bank Era Gathers Good Thoughts
Andersen Chu, the new Executive Director of the Tzu Chi Canada Eastern Headquarters, led a team of volunteers from Toronto on a long journey to offer their support. Volunteers from the Montreal Office also made a special trip to assist with the event. This Dharma family bond across cities filled the Ottawa office with the warmth of a joyful reunion.
The event opened with the solemn chanting of the Buddhist hymn “Sutra of Innumerable Meanings: Chapter on Virtues.” The year’s theme was “May we never forget the initial spirit of the Bamboo Bank Era; May we always remember the great vow of the Tzu Chi path.” Through the video “Tzu Chi’s Bamboo Bank Era: Saving Fifty Cents a Day,” everyone looked back at Tzu Chi’s journey of Great Love, which was built from small acts of kindness.
Executive Director Andersen Chu greeted the guests fluently in both Mandarin and English, sharing the significance of Tzu Chi’s 60-year journey. He encouraged everyone, noting that Tzu Chi’s strength began with the daily accumulation of small daily acts of kindness, and as long as everyone is willing to do good, even the smallest contributions can gather into Great Love.
He encouraged the public to make good use of the bamboo banks to “let good thoughts arise constantly and love grow daily.” By saving spare change every day, they can continuously put good thoughts into practice in their daily lives and collectively help sustain Tzu Chi’s mission of Great Love.
Working Together for Good: Witnessing Tzu Chi’s Deep Roots in the Community
Executive Director Bi-Yin Chien from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada was also invited to attend. In her remarks, she expressed her deep honor to participate in such a meaningful occasion during Tzu Chi’s 60th anniversary. She also expressed her appreciation for Tzu Chi’s long-standing commitment to compassion, bringing stability and hope to communities locally and around the world.
Lorraine Salvo, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Dalhousie Food Cupboard in Ottawa, also attended and spoke at the event. She specially thanked Tzu Chi for its long-standing partnership with the food bank. Tzu Chi volunteers have consistently provided practical support to families in need in the community, bringing warm care to many vulnerable people.
Subsequently, volunteers from Toronto and Montreal presented a sign language performance of “Love and Care.” Accompanied by gentle music, participants both on stage and in the audience followed along with the rhythm, extending their hands to express love and blessings through silent gestures, creating a deeply touching and warm atmosphere.
Next, through the videos “2025 Tzu Chi Ottawa Year in Review” and “2025 Tzu Chi Global Year in Review,” the audience looked back on Tzu Chi volunteers’ compassionate footprints around the world over the past year. From the forest wildfires in California, USA, and aid for the conflict in Myanmar, to the Buddha Bathing Ceremony in Taiwan, the footage showed how Tzu Chi volunteers bring care and comfort to people in hardship across the globe.
Red Envelopes of Blessings and Wisdom: Passing on Spiritual Wealth
The event then entered the segment everyone was looking forward to the most—receiving the Red Envelopes of Blessings and Wisdom. Tzu Chi’s Red Envelope of Blessings and Wisdom symbolizes Dharma Master Cheng Yen sharing wisdom and blessings with disciples and participants. It is a cherished token of love that can be passed down through generations.
This symbolic Dharma treasure, representing the Master’s blessings, was personally distributed by Executive Director Andersen Chu to every guest and attendee. As everyone respectfully received the red envelope, they also took on a mission and expectation to practice kindness and help others.
As the music of “Prayer” played, everyone sincerely lit their inner lamps. The lights shining on each person’s chest symbolized “lamps lighting lamps, an endless light,” gathering everyone’s kind thoughts into one radiant glow. Together they prayed: for purified minds, a harmonious society, and a world free from disasters.
Passing the Spirit Across Generations: Great Love Warms the World
The blessing ceremony also showcased the transmission of Tzu Chi’s humanistic culture across generations. Children from the Tzu Chi Academy, Ottawa, led by teacher Yu-Chen Lee, performed the lively and adorable “Gong Xi Gong Xi (Congratulations)” and recited Jing Si Aphorisms. Their innocent voices filled the space with a festive New Year atmosphere.
Following that, senior volunteers, led by volunteer Man-Li, gracefully presented the sign language performance “Warmth Fills the World.” With gentle sign language and bright smiles, the seniors demonstrated the Tzu Chi spirit of learning and serving throughout life, allowing everyone to feel the warmth of the Tzu Chi family.
At the end of the event, participants took part in the “Bamboo Bank Homecoming” and shared warm, sweet Lantern Festival tangyuan (glutinous rice balls). Volunteers served the symbolic dessert of reunion and completeness, and amid laughter and mutual blessings, the warm New Year Blessing Ceremony came to a joyful close.
Carrying hearts filled with Dharma joy and blessings, everyone welcomed the brand-new year and will continue to uphold the spirit of the Bamboo Bank Era, allowing kindness and love to keep flowing and spreading throughout the community.