The Bodhisattva Wish and School Administration: The Case of Tzu Chi Senior High School Affiliated with Tzu Chi University, Hualien City

Abstract

This article is compiled from my experience visiting Tzu Chi Senior High School in Taiwan, combined with research from various documents. I found that the heart of the Tzu Chi Senior High School administration is to think like a bodhisattva and see others as a bodhisattva. As a result, teachers and staff must be polite, respectful, and kind to their disciples like a bodhisattva who is benevolent to all beings without separation. Teachers are carefully selected and are followed upon to ensure continuous development of their knowledge and skills. Teaching is to follow the national curriculum but another side is to inspire students to develop Bodhisattva hearts by instilling in students the ideals of virtue and volunteering through Rén Wén, which is namely a humanities curriculum including Chinese ink painting and calligraphy, Chinese tea art and appreciation, flower arrangement, and more. It also involves cultivating self-discipline and a sense of responsibility to oneself and others, living in harmony with others, and rewarding students for taking care of their environment by keeping the school and its grounds clean and tidy. The school buildings incorporate architectural features consistent with local arts and culture which are at the same time intended to reflect the moral concepts of Bodhisattva. Special attention has been paid to the school ecosystem and surrounding area. There is no janitor, so it is the teachers and students who help one another to maintain the cleanliness of the school.