This thesis attempts to interpret the background of the Buddhist organization, the Tzu Chi Foundation (Tzu Chi), and its involvement in care for society and in relief initiatives. The paper also investigates Tzu Chi’s mission to propagate organ donation, and how this mission is being achieved in practice, as well as its features and the general perception of organ donation in Taiwan. Finally, the thesis assesses the significance of Tzu Chi for the modernization of Buddhism. Through our study we have discovered that the rapid rise of social care in Taiwan has played a vital role in the involvement of Buddhism in the propagation of concern for life issues. The rise of this care has initiated a secularization and modernization of Buddhism. Thus far significant achievements in terms of ideology and actual implementation have been witnessed. Tzu Chi tries to propagate Buddhism to the world by adopting the mission of “practicing Buddhism in daily life and living out the spirit of the bodhisattvas.” Tzu Chi has also established its own charitable organization, whose vision is “to carry out the Eight Dharma Footprints.” The charity has provided fundamental solutions to relieving suffering and hardship in society. Dharma Master Cheng Yen has brought Buddhist enlightenment to the area of social concern. She has enlightened people how to achieve the objectives of “humanized Buddhism” and how “to practice Buddhism in daily life” by resolving the issues faced by Buddhism in modern society, and by minimizing the sufferings of life through the provision of medical aid. The idea of “range donation” (that is, donation of one’s body, organs, and donation for pathological purposes) is derived from the teachings of Buddhism. It emphasizes “love” as the spirit of benevolence. It says that so long as there is “a kind heart and kind heartedness”, the dying will depart in peace, the living will gain peace of mind, and the organ recipient will attain health. This means that families will subsequently feel more secure, and further dedicate themselves to social causes. The missions and goals of Tzu Chi’s organ donation initiative encompass the three elements of medicine, religion, and education. Tzu Chi practices concern for life, and promotes organ donation. It has added localized and modernized characteristics to Buddhism by adopting the objective of becoming a bodhisattva in this world. Overall, we can say that the concern for life of Tzu Chi is one of the main ways proposed by Dharma Master Cheng Yen for realizing her vision and goal of humanized Buddhism. If Tzu Chi continues to propagate organ donation, then there is no doubt that the effort will relieve pressure on the wait for organ transplants throughout the world, and further enrich the ethical and moral teachings of Buddhism.
