Tzu Chi Helps New Muslim Residents Celebrate Eid al-Fitr with Hometown Tastes
2018/06/15 Tzu Chi West Toronto
Volunteers give out donations with their utmost respect (90-degree bow) and sincere wish.Eid al-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. To ensure that our donations were appropriate for the recipients, Tzu Chi volunteers educated themselves on the significance of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr to Muslims and what they would like to eat after fasting for a month.
To bring our new Muslim acquaintances some familiar hometown tastes in their new country, Tzu Chi West Toronto volunteers prepared food packages that included almonds (to help replenish their energy quickly), honey (a main ingredient used for making sweets), sunflower oil, and dates.
On June 15, the second day of Eid al-Fitr, 60 heavy packages were delivered to the Arab Community Centre of Toronto (ACCT) for our second donation of 2018. The volunteers were greeted with a warm welcome from ACCT’s Executive Director Huda Bukhari, who commented: “Without your support, and without your coming in to provide us with assistance, we as a not-for-profit cannot do anything. So we really have to thank you.” Ms. Bukhari then introduced Tzu Chi in Arabic to the recipients.
Tzu Chi volunteers and ACCT staff help to transport the food packages to the meeting room. 
Tzu Chi volunteers put together 60 bags of food items for distribution.
Shadi Shami, ACCT’s Community Engagement Counselor, said, “It’s about love, it’s about humanity. Allah ordered us to love each other, and to feed each other, and to feel the suffering of each other so that we can help each other. The same as you are doing today, [Tzu Chi] to our Muslim clients.”
After giving out the packages with utmost respect, Tzu Chi volunteers took some time to mingle with their new Muslim friends. Volunteer David Tang said that he was very grateful for the opportunity to build a new bridge of friendship. He indicated that through their conversations, they had discovered that some residents required extra support, so Tzu Chi would arrange to provide additional assistance based on their needs. David’s main take-away from that day was recognizing how blessed he is, and how he can share his blessings with those in need.
ACCT’s Executive Director Huda Bukhari (in the middle) introduces Tzu Chi volunteers with enthusiasm. 
Shadi Shami (standing at the front), ACCT’s Community Engagement Counselor, describes Tzu Chi volunteers as their earnest friends.
By donating food items based on the recipients’ ethnic background, Tzu Chi volunteers show that we respect and care about them. 
The children found the Jing Si bookmarks very interesting.
The friendly smile of the volunteers makes new residents from the Middle East feel at ease.
Tzu Chi Academy’s Class of 2018 Express Gratitude & Joy to Their Teachers & Parents
2018/06/09 Tzu Chi West Toronto
Students brought back their bamboo bank full of savings, showing their love and compassion to help others.The Tzu Chi Academy of Mississauga celebrated the end of its 14th year with their graduation and closing ceremony on June 9, with nearly 400 teachers, students, and parents in attendance. Among the nine graduates were students who had been with the Academy since kindergarten. The teachers who had taught these students for over a decade were both delighted and reluctant to see them leave. The ceremony began with each class taking turns entering the auditorium. As they entered, each student emptied out the bamboo coin bank they had received at the beginning of the school year, the sound of the rolling coins symbolizing their compassion and love.
Once everyone was seated, the graduates, holding the hands of their parents, followed Principal Peggy Lin and their homeroom teacher Sammi Huang into the auditorium and proceeded down the aisle through the gate of blessing, showered along the way by cheers and warm wishes from the audience. On stage, special guests were invited to turn the tassels on their mortarboards. The graduates then expressed their gratitude to their parents by kneeling and serving them tea—at this point, some of the parents couldn’t help but burst into tears of joy. A video was presented, a highlight reel of the graduates’ time at the Academy that gave everyone a chance to not only reflect on how much they’ve grown over the years, but also to coo over images of their adorable younger selves.
The procession of graduates and their parents entered the auditorium following the lead of Principal Peggy Lin and their teacher Sammi Huang. 
The graduates then expressed their gratitude to their parents by kneeling and serving them tea
For their final sign language performance as students, the graduates chose the song “Gratefulness”, and had spent the last two months perfecting the moves so they could express their utmost thanks to their dedicated teachers. In return, the teachers performed the sign language song “Remember” to remind them that no matter where they go, they should cherish their life and their loved ones, and that Tzu Chi will always be their home. Other classes put on a variety of wonderful shows including rhythmic dance, short drama, Tzu Chi kung fu, and poetry, while the parents quickly used their cameras to capture every moment.
Mr. & Mrs. Swaminath, the parents of a kindergarten student, said: “You teach Mandarin, but you also teach cultural values and how to respect family. I think that’s really important. Our daughter has learned a lot and we’re really grateful for that. We’re really proud of what she’s done this year, and we look forward to her for doing many more years of Mandarin and learning this wonderful language and wonderful culture.” The parent of one of the graduates, Xiuyi Xiu, said that as she was watching the highlight reel, she felt that they had made the right decision and their efforts were not in vain. She commented that her two daughters had gained a lot over the years and would like to give back to the school to pass on their wonderful experience to other children.
The ceremony concluded with the school song “Heaven and Earth is our Large Classroom”. Students, parents, and teachers embraced one another, wishing each other well before meeting again in September. Indeed, this was not goodbye, as the graduates and their parents declared that they would be happy to return to the school as volunteers.
Special guests were invited to turn the tassels on the graduates’ mortarboard. 
The graduates performed the sign language song "Gratefulness", thanking their teachers for instilling all the knowledge in them for over ten years.
Grades 1 and 5 show their humanistic temperament of life and courtesy through “Learn to Agree, Learn to Compromise, but Do Not Learn to Fight”. 
Grades 3 and 6 students put together a powerful kung fu show.
Recital of the famous poem "Farewell" is well received by the audience.
Tzu Chi Hosts TCM Forum, Lays Groundwork for Advancement of Techniques
2018/06/10 Tzu Chi West Toronto
Professor I Hsing Chuang attentively teaches his students and selflessly shares his experience.In preparation for the Fall opening of the Tzu Chi Clinic of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Humber College, the Tzu Chi Medical Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine Canada Foundation hosted a medical forum at the West Toronto Office to provide an opportunity for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners in Eastern Canada to learn the techniques of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA).
The guest lecturer, Professor I-Hsing Chuang, has had years of intensive training in both neurosurgery and alternative medicine from Germany and Austria. After learning Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA), Dr. Chuang incorporated the technique into his clinical practice, and in the ten years since, has treated over 20,000 cases with his unique combined understanding of Western neuroanatomy and the Chinese meridian system. Dr. Chuang has already been invited to teach his unique YNSA treatment module three times in Vancouver, where his attentiveness and willingness to share his experience were well received by participants. This was Dr. Chuang’s first lecture in Eastern Canada, and he specifically included the treatment for problems regarding internal organs.
Dr. Michael Chung delivers his welcome speech. 
Professor Chuang gave his first lecture the day after he arrived in Toronto, making full use of his tight schedule.
To maximize teaching efficiency within the four days, Dr. Michael Chung, Vice CEO of Medical Mission for Tzu Chi Foundation Canada and Chief Convenor of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) Canada, invited five fellow TIMA doctors from Vancouver as teaching assistants. Each lecture was followed by small group discussions and practice of YNSA techniques under the supervision of the teaching assistants.
Dr. Jackie Wu said that his greatest satisfaction would be to make use of the techniques he learned this time to relieve the pain of his patients as soon as possible. Dr. David Kuo said: “I learned YNSA from Professor Chuang a few years ago and have since applied it to my patients with significant effect. So no matter how busy I am, I have to attend this lecture so that I can advance to the next level.”
Before concluding the forum, Dr. Chuang reminded all doctors and students to treat their patients with sincere care, using relieving the suffering of their patients to be their driving force for improvement. Everyone felt that the four days passed by too quickly, and looked forward to another session in the near future so that Tzu Chi could build a strong team of TIMA Canada doctors in the east coast.
Teaching Assistant Dr. Sherry Liu pinpoints the proper meridian points. 
Lectures are followed by practical small group exercises to enhance the learning experience.
Dr. Chuang uses a replica to show the meridian points. 
Volunteers provide delicious vegetarian meals every day so that both doctors and participants can fully replenish their energy
The four-day forum ended with a group of happy campers.
Ten Years On, Tzu Chi Continues to Care for the Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens
2018/05/20 Tzu Chi West Toronto 
73 volunteers, including students and parents from the Tzu Chi Academy of Mississauga, gathered at the entrance of the garden early in the morning to spruce things up. The Greater Toronto Area suffered squally winds in early May this year. Roofs and fences of many houses were destroyed, and damaged power lines caused outages and chaos on the roads. At the Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens located in the southwestern part of Mississauga along the shores of Lake Ontario, many 100-year-old trees could not withstand the brutal gusts of wind. Having helped to preserve the gardens for the past 10 years, Tzu Chi West Toronto was devastated to learn that plants and trees at the gardens had been destroyed.
On May 20, the Sunday of the Victoria Day long weekend, 73 volunteers, including students and parents from the Tzu Chi Academy of Mississauga, gathered at the entrance of the garden early in the morning to spruce things up. They divided and conquered, with one group picking up the garbage and separating them from recyclables such as plastic bottles and aluminum cans, and another group weeding from flower beds.
Volunteer David Tang leads a stretching exercise to prevent injury.Many residents came out to the garden that day to enjoy the nice weather; when they saw Tzu Chi volunteers hard at work to preserve their public garden, they showed their gratitude with smiles and warm greetings. Park Administrator Para Kanp also greeted the volunteers with enthusiasm. “I worked at this garden ten years ago when you adopted it, and then I was transferred to other parks. I just returned this year. I always remember you.” Volunteer Grace Yang, who has been actively participating at cleaning up the garden in the past ten years, was as excited to see Para, saying “I remember you too!”
The mission was accomplished in only two hours, removing tons of discarded materials. David Culham, a long-time volunteer serving at the garden, said: "It's incredible! You have completed at least a week of work for me." He also commended Tzu Chi for taking the opportunity to educate the next generation. Every time he would see generations of Tzu Chi volunteers working together to protect the earth and preserve our environment.
Among the volunteers were a group of high school students who were participating for the first time. They felt that bending down to remove garbage and weeds was tough, but ultimately meaningful work.
The importance of this mission is to remind us of how vulnerable we are to the natural and man-made damages to our environment. All of us should do our part to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
A father and son from the Tzu Chi Academy of Mississauga work together to remove weeds. 
Volunteers pick up and sort waste along the water
A happy reunion after 10 years. (L-R: Para Kanp, Grace Yang, and David Culham) 
These high school students—all first-time volunteers— work hard to accomplish the mission.
Parents leading by example, showing their children how the tasks should be done.
Tzu Chi West Toronto Celebrated 15th Anniversary at the Triple Celebration in May
2018/05/13 Tzu Chi West Toronto 
Government officials enjoy a cup of Chinese tea before proceeding to the ceremonyThe second Sunday of May is a very special day for Tzu Chi, as there are three meaningful occasions that fall on that day: Mother's Day, Buddha Day, and Tzu Chi Day. Tzu Chi volunteers celebrate this special day simultaneously around the world. At the West Toronto Office, a birthday cake was provided to celebrate their 15th anniversary as well, with over 200 guests and members in attendance.
Michael Chuang, Vice CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation Canada, said “Canada is a multicultural society. We immigrated to Canada, bringing with us Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s compassionate wishes to build friendship with the local community. As we enter the 53rd year of Tzu Chi Foundation and the 15th year from the establishment of the West Toronto Office, we want to groom more volunteers and expand Tzu Chi’s outreach.” Catherine Hsu, Director General of Toronto’s Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, also expressed her affirmation of the contributions of Tzu Chi volunteers. “I wish that Tzu Chi will continue to bring Taiwan’s great love to every corner of the world in the next 15 years, 50 years, 100 years and 150 years.” Yvan Baker, MPP of Etobicoke Centre, said “On behalf of the Ontario government, on behalf of our community, I would like to express my gratitude to you for making the community a better and closer place.”
Volunteers lead the ceremony by presenting lights, water and flowers to the Buddha.In the past, the way to express one’s reverence for the Buddha was to prostrate oneself with one’s head at the Buddha's feet and touching them with one’s hands. During the ceremony, we do this symbolically by bowing and dipping our fingers in the water as if to touch the Buddha's feet, and then putting our palms together in reverence. The fragrance of the flower symbolizes the aroma of the Buddha's virtue, as we wish for the Buddha to bless us with purified hearts. Aboriginal and Muslim friends who attended the ceremony participated regardless of their religion and ethnicity. Volunteer Shu Li, grateful to live in a happy and peaceful environment, expressed sincere repentance and pledged to help others.
Aboriginal friend (middle) travel from afar early in the morning to attend the ceremony. 
Muslim friend Shadi and his family show there is no religious barrier by participating sincerely at the Buddha bathing ceremony.
Grandparents show their grandchildren how to dip their fingers in the water.
Seniors on wheelchairs are accompanied by their family.
Senior volunteer grandpa Cheng sincerely pray to Buddha despite his suffering from a fall a few days before the event. 
Happy 15th Anniversary to the Tzu Chi West Toronto Office.
Mother’s Day signifies unconditional love. To encourage everyone to love all mankind and to protect our mother earth, we invited Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner Dr. Chang to conduct a talk on what to eat and what not to eat during the four seasons. Guests then proceeded to the lunch room where Tzu Chi volunteers offered many tasteful vegetarian delicacies, or to the tea room where volunteers served them with a good cup of Chinese tea.
Dr. Chang to provides free consultation after his talk. 
Families enjoy a delicious vegetarian lunch.
Volunteer Lily Chan introduce Tzu Chi’s community services and artwork created by inmates of the Detention Centre. 
Volunteers give out Chinese birthday buns to the guests before they leave.
Staying Healthy in Summer and Fall, the Chinese Medicine Way
2018/07/28 By Irene Tse, Canada
What foods are healthiest for us in the hot summer months? Acupressure is an effective alternative medicine technique, but how do you know which acupoints to target?
On July 28, 2018, the Tzu Chi West Toronto Office hosted the second session in its new Mid-Summer Spiritual Lecture Series with "Staying Healthy in Summer and Fall, the Chinese Medicine Way". Dr. Andrew Chang, who has practiced Traditional Chinese Medicine in Toronto for many years, shared therapeutic recipes and demonstrated useful acupressure techniques that the 60+ participants could easily learn and apply in their daily lives.
The next lecture in the series is entitled "Healthy DIY Vegetarianism", and is scheduled for August 11. Join us and learn how to make some healthy and delicious dishes.
Living Buddhism Practically
On July 21, 2018, the Tzu Chi West Toronto Office kicked off it's brand new Mid- Summer Spiritual Lecture Series with "Living Buddhism Practically", presented by Tzu Chi volunteer Roger Lai. Over the course of his two-hour interactive session, Lai grounded the teachings of the Dharma in real-life stories and easy-to-understand examples, in the hopes that the 40+ participants would be able to change from simply reading Buddhist scripture to truly living like Buddha. Participants closed out the session with the sign language song "Let's All Become Amitabha Buddha", ending on a cheerful note and with an eagerness for the next in the lecture series.
警覺無常 做到無我
上人說，做不到「無我」、不能警覺「無常」，都是對佛法還不了解——儘管持續行善、付出，但是法不入心，對於許多人事境界仍是難以釋懷。「見他人有不好的習氣，要著重其優點，真誠地感恩人人；平心靜氣，才能成就自我道業。」「做慈濟沒有世間財可得。大家自掏腰包、耗用時間，遠赴外地勘災、發放，人人出錢出力，卻沒有得到利益名位，照一般世俗眼光看來，實在很吃虧；但是從佛法角度來說，卻都占了便宜——此生不只得人身、聞佛法，還力行菩薩道，實為殊勝難得。」無「我」 無苦惱
與海外慈濟人談話，上人直言敦勉，大家發大心、立大願，認真行善，更要引法入心，提起感恩、尊重、愛之心彼此相待，見賢思齊、見不賢則內自省。
「各位付出無所求、救拔人間苦難，都堪稱菩薩；既是無所求地付出，就應放下自我，莫為了別人的言行而覺得不舒服。有『我』，才有苦惱。」
上人說，做不到「無我」、不能警覺「無常」，都是對佛法還不了解——儘管持續行善、付出，但是法不入心，對於許多人事境界仍是難以釋懷。「見他人有不好的習氣，要著重其優點，真誠地感恩人人；平心靜氣，才能成就自我道業。」
人與人之間生誤會、起摩擦，除了面對面溝通時言詞、態度不當，有時則是因為轉述的言語失真。上人教導，開口動舌務須謹慎，切莫不經思考就讓話語衝口而出，引發軒然大波。「心存佛法，則心靈明朗，言談、行事都能拿捏得宜。」
協力 成眾事
如何讓團隊運作順暢？上人指出，不同的「職」位有不同的「權」力，相對地也要負起「責」任。各人權責不同，但是行事目標相同，各司其職、分工合心，即能達成目標。
「領眾者須具有感恩、尊重、愛的品『德』——感恩大家共同付出力量、成就諸事；體認人人平等，應相互尊重、互愛關懷、適當授權。」
上人言，協力的「協」是三個「力」相加，意味集眾人之力才能成事。「慈濟人多、事多、行事需要有固定接洽者為『窗口』，但是事務要由人人負責與承擔；能有清楚的概念，就不會執著於名相，能真正發揮合心、和氣、互愛、協力的良能。」
上人教導，身體力行菩薩道，也遵守團體的禮儀規矩，就是「合心」；凡事盡心盡力付出、共同參與，就是「協力」。
行善造福、入群修慧，都是自修自得，上人期勉，不僅要做好事，更要理解慈濟的法脈源頭，走入複雜的人事，以靜思法脈的淨水滋潤心地、增長慧命。
「要當『不請之師』，主動投入、積極參與，廣結善緣；若因為對人有成見，就被動等著別人叫自己做事，生悶氣、不開心，將失去行善造福、結好緣的機會。」
上人期許，將「感恩、尊重、愛」放在心中，達到人和、事和、理和。
「法存於心，就如懷抱著一顆可以辟邪的摩尼寶珠，能將種種境界化作增長慧命的法，撥除污濁髒垢，讓心靈維持清淨。」
【靜思小語】心存善法，如懷寶珠，能撥除心靈垢穢，展露清淨自性。
證嚴上人開示於2013年9月11日《農八月‧初七》
※本文摘自：《慈濟》月刊563期〈證嚴上人衲履足跡〉
20180513 Buddha Day Ceremony
The second Sunday of May is a very special day, as there are three meaningful occasions that fall on that day: Mother's Day, Buddha Day, and Tzu Chi Day.
Tzu Chi North Toronto have held Buddha Day Ceremony on May 13th, 2018. . Since this year's event theme is environmental protection, volunteers also encouraged the participants to bring their own reusable utensils and adopt a vegetarian diet.
【DaAi Headlines】20180306 North Toronto MPP Reza Moridi Chinese New Year Celebration
MPP Reza Moridi invited Tzu Chi North Toronto's Volunteers to participate Chinese New Year Celebration.