Taiwan’s Tzu Chi as Engaged Buddhism: Origins, Organization, Appeal and Social Impact
CONTENTS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
LIST OF TABLES AND CHART PAGE
FOREWORD
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NOTES ON STYLE
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: THE SECOND GOLDEN AGE OF CHINESE BUDDHISM IN TAIWAN
The Aim of the Study
The Society, History and Ethnology of Taiwan
The Contemporary Taiwanese Religious Context: Limited Pluralism
A History of Chinese Buddhism in Taiwan
Traditional Religion in Taiwan
Daoism
Western Missions and Missionaries
Syncretism and Other New Religions in Taiwan
Yi-guan Dao (or I-kuan Tao)
Supreme Ching Hai
Zhenfo Zong
Japanese New Religions in Taiwan
The History of Lay Buddhism in Taiwan
CHAPTER TWO: RESEARCH APPROACH AND METHODS
Review of the Literature in English
The Study of Appeal and the Approach of my Research
The Challenge and Difficulties of Research in Taiwan
The Collection of Data
Review of Literature
Participant Observation
Interviews
Surveys
The Weaknesses and Strengths of the Methods
CHAPTER THREE: THE HISTORY OF TZU CHI: ORGANIZATION, LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC RESPONSES
The History of Master Cheng Yen
Master Cheng Yen as a Charismatic Leader
The History of Tzu Chi
The Media Coverage of Tzu Chi
Conclusion and Discussion
CHAPTER FOUR: TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES: ALTRUISM AND MORALITY BECOME A WAY OF LIFE
The Teachings on Karma and Merit
The Teachings on Worldly Salvation
The Sacred and the Profane
The Tzu Chi Ethos – Altruism and Morality Become a Way of Life
Death Ritual, Tzu Chi Funeral Service and Ancestors
Tzu Chi as a New Religion
CHAPTER FIVE: THE ‘NEW MIDDLE CLASS’: THE SOCIAL COMPOSITION OF THE TZU CHI MEMBERSHIP
Gender, Age and Marital Status of Tzu Chi Members, and Some Problems
Domicile, Social life and Family Unit
Identity, Political Attitudes and Ethos
Education, Occupation and Views on Women and Men
Previous Religious Experiences and Present Religious Status
Conclusion and Discussion
CHAPTER SIX: BECOMING A DISCIPLE: THE RECRUITING STRATEGY OF TZU CHI
How the Members Came to Know about Tzu Chi
How the Members First Encountered Tzu Chi
Routes To Joining Tzu Chi
Some Problems with Joining Tzu Chi
Summary and Discussion
CHAPTER SEVEN: TZU CHI’S ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND THE PROCESS OF SOCIALIZATION
Impersonal Organizational Structure
The Abode and Headquarters
The Tzu Chi Branches and Liaison Offices
Tzu Chi Overseas Centres
The Leadership of Master Cheng Yen
The Process of Socialization
The New Converts
The Grouping, Bonds of Affection and Seniority
The Process of Indoctrination
The Initiation Ceremony
Discussion and Problems
CHAPTER EIGHT: THE APPEAL OF TZU CHI BUDDHISM
The Initial Appeal
The Appeal of Tzu Chi as a Charity
Tzu Chi’s Recruiting Strategy
The Quality of Tzu Chi’s Members
The Curiosity Factor
Reinforcement of the Appeal
The Appeal of Tzu Chi’s Way of Handling Donations
The Appeal of the Master Cheng Yen
The Appeal of Tzu Chi’s Religiosity
The Appeal of Tzu Chi as a Large Organization
The Appeal of the Sense of Community
The Appeal from the Effects of Participation
Conclusion
CHAPTER NINE: DOES TZU CHI MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF CURRENT SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY?
AFTERWORD
Final Reflections on the Character of the Movement
APPENDIX
1. Religious Change in Taiwan
2. The Educational Background of Tzu Chi Members
3. The Educational Background of Tzu Chi Members – by Gender
4. The Educational Background of Tzu Chi Members – by Age
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX