Tzu Chi Hospitals: Spreading Vegetarianism and Compassion, Part 1 of 2

The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation was started by the Venerable Dharma Master Cheng Yen in 1966. Tzu Chi Foundation’s mission started with charitable relief work and gradually expanded into medicine, education, encouraging adherence to moral values, and environmental protection. All the Tzu Chi Hospitals, embrace the concept of a healthy and low-carbon diet, meaning their patients are served only vegetarian food. Peripheral services at the hospitals also abide by the vegetarian requirement. In addition to promoting the vegetarian diet, Tzu Chi Hospitals have made great efforts to advocate environmental protection. Tzu Chi Hospitals high environmental standards and excellent health care delivery have also received international acclaim.