On this endless bodhisattva path, some measure suffering with their footsteps, while others document actions through imagery. Each day “Life Wisdom” airs punctually—ten thousand episodes represent ten thousand calls for compassion, ten thousand days represent ten thousand steps toward sentient beings.
This is not a review of a television program, but testimony to a path. Ten thousand episodes—”Life Wisdom” serves as morning bell and evening drum, guiding Tzu Chi volunteers in their course of action, while preserving for the world a record of compassion made manifest. It is the practice ground of Buddhist teachings, a witness to love, and the spiritual foundation for Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide to hear the Dharma and act upon it immediately.
Timeline
2025.08.28
Life Wisdom: Ten Thousand Episodes
This is the world's only program with a single speaker that has broadcast over 10,000 episodes. While programs in Japan and the United States have also reached 10,000 episodes, they were either interview-format or hosted by different speakers.
2025
Earthly Events: On March 28, a magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck Myanmar.
Master's Wisdom: Quickly assess disaster conditions and local needs. Whether by sea or air, deliver supplies with the most sincere love in a timely manner.
2024
Earthly Events: On April 3, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck eastern Taiwan.
Master's Wisdom: The earth has taught humanity a lesson—people must recognize their smallness and feel appropriate awe. Encountering such impermanence, we should apply the Buddhist teachings we normally hear, transforming them into stored consciousness, then deeper still into pure consciousness.
2024
Earthly Events: On New Year's Day 2024, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Japan's Noto Peninsula.
Master's Wisdom: Drawing from long-term relief experience, we advance to the frontlines during the most urgent times, and stop, listen, and observe local needs. We don't necessarily distribute cash assistance everywhere, but can mobilize nearby young people to help establish lists and care for elderly populations needing attention.
2023
Earthly Events: On February 6, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria.
Master's Wisdom:Grateful for Turkey's past assistance, Tzu Chi cannot be absent from this disaster relief. Everyone must generate great resolve, and this single thought must be sustained without letting time pass in vain. This extends our compassion, for we must care for the vast world.
2022
Earthly Events: On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine.
Master's Wisdom: When a few powerful individuals have a single thought, the minute difference between good and evil can cause social upheaval. Empathizing with refugees' difficult lives, human-made disasters make it hard even for those willing to help to approach. We pray for peaceful, harmonious human hearts so human-made disasters can cease.
2019
Earthly Events: COVID-19 global pandemic began in late 2019.
Master's Wisdom: Witnessing human suffering reminds us of bodhisattvas who hear cries and rescue those in distress. But sentient beings create karma with endless desires, and karmic consequences now manifest in the human realm. Frequent global disasters warn humanity to reflect promptly, restrain thoughts, observe precepts, maintain vegetarian diet, and engage in great repentance.
2016
Earthly Events: Since early 2011, Syria's ongoing civil war has forced massive numbers of refugees to flee to neighboring countries. Turkish Tzu Chi volunteers began providing aid in 2014.
Master's Wisdom: You and I both exist under the same sky, yet Syrian refugees live in misery. Human hearts' imbalance has torn apart humanity's love. We give refugee children educational opportunities, using warm love to teach them that life's correct outlook is not competitive struggle, but learning to help others through the happiness of being cared for.
2015
Earthly Events: Nepal experienced a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on April 25.
Master's Wisdom: Is it truly peace if only our immediate surroundings are safe? We must share common concern and worry with heaven and earth, coexisting with them. Universal compassion without conditions, and great mercy recognizing our shared essence—this is the true direction and goal of learning Buddhist teachings.
2014
Earthly Events: West African Ebola outbreak
Life Wisdom Milestone:
May 13 — Life Wisdom uploaded on YouTube
September 24 — “Life Wisdom” upgraded to HD quality
May 13 — Life Wisdom uploaded on YouTube
September 24 — “Life Wisdom” upgraded to HD quality
2013
Earthly Events: On November 8, Super Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines, causing massive disaster and severe casualties.
Master's Wisdom: Harmony at home brings prosperity in all things; national harmony brings greatest strength. Mutual trust and love among people is paramount. Visiting Tzu Chi volunteers implemented cash-for-work programs, inspiring local disaster victims to become volunteers themselves. This interactive energy of love cannot be replaced by money or materials.
2011
Earthly Events: On March 11, Japan experienced its largest earthquake since seismic recording began.
Master's Wisdom: In an infinitesimal moment, the earth shook violently, triggering tsunamis and causing the Earth's axis to shift, reducing its rotation by 1.6 microseconds. Human hearts are similar—deviating from righteousness even slightly allows evil to arise and good thoughts to vanish. Please pray for the earth with sincere hearts, and learn from the Japanese people who don't hoard supplies but help each other.
2010
Earthly Events: On January 12, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti.
Master's Wisdom: This rescue mission was not to an ordinarily wealthy nation. Everyone must prioritize safety first and take steady steps in saving lives. Both immediate relief and future reconstruction are demanding tasks. We are all earthlings—wherever we are, we must activate our compassion to care.
2008
Earthly Events: On August 8, Typhoon Morakot caused Taiwan's most severe flooding since the war.
Master's Wisdom: Human greed led to uncontrolled mountain development, and torrential rains destroyed homes. Beyond military rescue efforts, Tzu Chi volunteers from north, central, and south Taiwan mobilized 150,000 person-times for cleanup. If everyone harbors the spirit of coexistence with heaven and earth, treating all as one family, the four elements can achieve harmony.
2008
Earthly Events: On May 12, a magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck Sichuan, resulting in 69,227 deaths.
Master's Wisdom: In the disaster zone, beyond providing tea, hot meals for physical strength and warmth, spiritual healing was most important. Through volunteering as counselors, transforming grief into care for others, smiles emerged once again.
2008
Earthly Events: On May 2, Tropical Cyclone Nargis swept across Myanmar at 190 kilometers per hour.
Master's Wisdom: Beyond emergency relief, Tzu Chi volunteers provided medium-term accompaniment—clearing farmland and donating seeds and fertilizer to help disaster victims resume cultivation. Though they were poor, they were rich in compassion, donating a handful of rice daily to fill their rice banks.
2004
Earthly Events: On December 26, a magnitude 9.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering a massive tsunami.
Master's Wisdom: The earthquake-induced tsunami caused over 300,000 deaths and disappearances. Besides endeavoring to reach disaster zones with material aid and care, we must call upon all to recognize that disasters are everyone's responsibility, as we all live interconnected under the same heaven and earth.
2003
Earthly Events: In March 2003, a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak occurred, affecting Taiwan.
Master's Wisdom: Resolve disasters through love. Emphasized that humans and animals share intertwined karma, and only by respecting life and refraining from killing can epidemics be ended.
2001.09.18-20
Nari typhoon aired three episodes in one day
In response to Master's teachings regarding the Nari typhoon disaster relief operations, "Life Wisdom" flexibly adjusted to broadcast three episodes per day.
2001.09.11
Add English subtitles
Starting from episode 1102, "Life Wisdom" began providing bilingual Chinese-English subtitles.
1999.09.21
Earthly Events: 921 earthquake
In response to Master's teachings regarding the major disaster of the 921 earthquake, "Life Wisdom" broadcast 26-minute episodes on September 22 and 23 respectively, and aired the special program "Hearts Connected with Fellow Villagers - Love in Full Mobilization" on September 26.
1998.01.03
Da Ai Television launched
Da Ai Television launched with "Life Wisdom" becoming an independent program broadcasting its first episode, running 12 minutes and 55 seconds.
1997
Life Wisdom establish a photography team
1996.12.02
"Tzu Chi World" moved to broadcast on the U3 channel.
1996.01.01
"Tzu Chi World" switched to daily broadcasting.
Episode lengths mostly ranged between 3 to 7 minutes.
1995.12.01
The "Tzu Chi World" program began broadcasting on UTV's U2 channel,
with "Life Wisdom" as one of its segments, airing for a total of 4 weeks.
1966
The Master founded the Tzu Chi Foundation
1963
Lecture on Ksitigarbha Sutra in the log cabin and the Charity Temple
＋ Learn about Tzu Chi's story
1963
The Master taking refuge in Master Yin Shun
＋ Learn about Master Yin Shun
1937
The Master was born in Qingshui, Taichung
＋ Learn about Tzu Chi's story
My Life Wisdom
How can we transform a mere fifty cents into something infinitely meaningful?
How do I discover true wealth within myself?
Can seeking divine protection truly grant us peace?
Am I truly at fault, or am I being too hard on myself?
How do I handle that colleague who makes every day difficult?
How can I live in a way that truly matters?
The Master accompanies you on your important days.
Select your personal Life Wisdom.
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1998 – 2025
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