Dharma Study

“Practising Buddhism in daily life and living out the spirit of the Bodhisattvas" is what Master Cheng Yen expects of her disciples. In Tzu Chi, volunteers infuse their daily lives with Dharma, attesting to its profound impact through the wisdom they acquire in their life experiences.

Tzu Chi volunteers listen to Master Cheng Yen's teachings, study Buddhist scriptures and share their Dharma joy through attending “Wisdom at Dawn” Dharma talks, book clubs and study groups. Participation in these Dharma study activities extends beyond volunteers, as the public is warmly invited to join in.

Community Book Study

Reading a book is like savouring tea. One begins with inhaling the aroma of the tea, followed by savouring the flavour upon sipping. As the term implies, “book tasting” requires repeated reflection after reading to have an in-depth understanding of the meaning conveyed.

In 2020, Tzu Chi branches around the world launched a monthly community book club for participants to share their learnings and clear up doubts and confusions on the Lotus Sutra through reading Master Cheng Yen's "Jing Si Wondrous Dharma Essence of the Lotus Sutra". To ensure quality of learning, each book club limited participation to fewer than 20 individuals, with every member taking turns to facilitate the guided reading.

Dharma Sharing Session

Starting from 2024, Tzu Chi has resumed the Monthly Dharma Sharing Session on the fourth Saturday evening of every month. Volunteers and members of the public across the island are invited to Jing Si Hall at Pasir Ris for the two-hour retreat that includes sutra recitation and sharing.

Master Cheng Yen once explained the meaning of "Dharma Sharing Session" to the volunteers: "Spiritual cultivation is about cultivating the mind, and it can only be achieved while interacting with others. Therefore, attending a study group is about using the opportunity to learn the art of harmonising and integrating with others.”

English Dharma Sharing Session

Tzu Chi also hosts book clubs and study groups for English-speaking volunteers and members of the public. The English-speaking group collaborates with their Taiwan counterparts to organise monthly book clubs on the “Sutra of Innumerable Meanings”. In addition, Tzu Chi's youth volunteer group, the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association (also known as Tzu Ching), also organises quarterly English-language Dharma study groups. Besides studying the sutras, the youth group will learn the teachings of the Buddha in an engaging manner.