The 2025 Year-End Blessing Ceremony: The Initial Vow That Continues to Burn

Journalist : Khusnul Khotimah, Shinta (He Qi Jakarta Pusat), Photographer : Arimami S.A, Fikhri Fathoni, Kasun, Henry Tando (He Qi Jakarta Utara 2) Ryanto Budiputra (He Qi Tangerang)

The resounding drumbeats of the Jing Si Teaching Hymn reverberated through the Jing Si Hall at Tzu Chi Center PIK, opening the 2025 Year-End Blessing Ceremony in a solemn and deeply meaningful atmosphere on Saturday, January 31^st, 2026.

Time seemed to pause for a moment as the resounding beats of the Jing Si Teaching Hymn echoed through the Jing Si Hall at Tzu Chi Center PIK on Saturday, January 31^st, 2026. The performance by teachers and students of Tzu Chi Great Love School opened the 2025 Year-End Blessing Ceremony with firm and rhythmic harmony, inviting the 2,332 participants to compose their hearts and minds as they entered a three-hour program filled with profound meaning.

The Year-End Blessing Ceremony is an annual moment of reflection, gratitude, and appreciation for the journey of compassion that Tzu Chi has undertaken throughout the year. The event was attended by volunteers, benefactors, and staff members of Tzu Chi Indonesia, who have been the driving force behind its humanitarian efforts.

Carrying the theme, “May We Never Forget the Initial Spirit of The Bamboo Bank”, this year’s Year-End Blessing Ceremony invited all participants to look back at the humble beginnings of Tzu Chi sixty years ago. What started as small, sincere donations gradually grew into a powerful force for humanity. The message serves as a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness possess extraordinary strength when carried out consistently and grounded in pure intention.

Sign language performance about the bamboo bank were beautifully performed by students of Tzu Chi Great Love School.

Four Tzu Chi volunteers from Medan, from left: Shu Tjeng, Sylvia, Steel Edwin, Lukman shared their experiences in providing reliefs to flood disasters in Sumatera and Aceh.

The program unfolded in a varied and deeply moving sequence. The stage decoration, adorned with elegant red floral accents, created an atmosphere that was both solemn and refreshing. One of the most touching sessions was the sharing of experiences from flood disaster relief efforts in Sumatra and Aceh.

Four Tzu Chi volunteers from Medan which are Lukman, Steel Edwin, Shu Tjeng, and Sylvia shared their experiences, recounting how they and the Tzu Chi Medan volunteer team faced challenging field conditions. Limited access to clean water, muddy terrain, and the struggle to prepare meals with minimal facilities were among the realities they encountered while delivering aid to affected communities.

Nevertheless, Tzu Chi volunteers from Medan, Aceh, and Padang continued to serve wholeheartedly and tirelessly, striving to alleviate the suffering of disaster victims. A spirit of unity and sincerity became their greatest strength in every step of their service.

The sign language performance titled Mo Wang was presented by the volunteers with great dignity, reminding everyone to uphold and preserve their initial vows.

In her Dharma talk, Master Cheng Yen reminded volunteers not to underestimate even the smallest acts of kindness or good intentions, for it is through these small seeds of goodness that Tzu Chi has been able to grow and continue to this day.

This year also marks a special milestone in the journey of Tzu Chi Indonesia. A total of 148 Indonesian volunteers were officially commissioned as Tzu Chi commissioners in Hualien, Taiwan, directly by Master Cheng Yen, the founder of Tzu Chi. This marks the largest number in the history of Tzu Chi Indonesia.

During the sharing session, several volunteers’ families—whose members are all actively involved in Tzu Chi—shared their stories, offering inspiration and strengthening the resolve of the volunteers in attendance.

Master Cheng Yen reaffirmed that carrying forward the spirit of Tzu Chi is a shared responsibility. Although Tzu Chi has reached its 60th year, the original spirit of the bamboo bank, beginning with a sincere 50-cent donation, must continue to be preserved and lived out.

In her message, Liu Su Mei, Chairperson of the Tzu Chi Indonesia Foundation, expressed her deepest gratitude to all volunteers, benefactors, and staff for their dedication throughout the year. The Year-End Blessing Ceremony serves as a meaningful occasion to gather, express gratitude, and strengthen one another.

A total of 2,332 participants, consisting of volunteers, donors, and mission staff of Tzu Chi Indonesia, attended the event with deep reverence.

Liu Su Mei, Chairperson of the Tzu Chi Indonesia Foundation, expressed hope that the original spirit of the bamboo bank will continue to be passed on to the younger generation.

The participants received Master Cheng Yen’s red envelopes with gratitude.

As we enter the new year, hopes are set forth: to pass on Tzu Chi’s values to more young people, to nurture the next generation of successors, and to move forward with even greater determination so that more individuals may receive help.

“In this new year, we must pass on our mission and nurture more young people. Tzu Chi Indonesia has been established for over 30 years. We have seen significant growth among both staff and volunteers serving in functional roles, many of whom are willing to shoulder responsibilities. We hope Tzu Chi Indonesia can move forward with firm and confident strides. Only then will we be able to help even more people,” she conveyed.

Warm greetings from fellow volunteers became a source of strength for Ayen Rita (right) as she attended the Tzu Chi Year-End Blessing Ceremony.

Attending the Year-End Blessing Ceremony brought mixed emotions for Ayen Rita. Sitting in the back row in her wheelchair, she was warmly greeted one by one by volunteers who came over to see her. The moment deeply moved her. She felt happy to reunite with her brothers and sisters, fellow Tzu Chi volunteers, though a trace of sadness lingered in her heart.

Since suffering a stroke in mid-2024, Ayen Rita, who has been a Tzu Chi volunteer for 18 years, realized that she is no longer as strong as she once was. However, as a Tzu Chi volunteer, she strives to push aside her sadness by continuing to think positively and accept her current condition. A sense of pride also grew within her upon learning that 148 new commissioner volunteers had been inaugurated. For her, this was reassurance that the ranks of Tzu Chi volunteers are growing longer and filled with hope.

“I am very happy to reunite with my brothers and sisters at Tzu Chi. On one hand, I feel sad because I can no longer help as much as before. But on the other hand, I feel relieved and proud because now there are 148 new committee volunteers ready to continue Tzu Chi’s mission,” said Ayen Rita.

Translator: Putri Millenia Hadinata (Tzu Chi Palembang)

Tzu Chi Year-end Blessing 2019: Welcoming A Hopeful 2020

January 17, 2020

For Liu Su Mei, 2020 is an important year for Tzu Chi Indonesia, in which year Tzu Chi Indonesia's missions will accomplish more things through the opening of Tzu Chi Hospital in November 2020.