Participation, Integration And Identity - An Anthropological Study Of The Shanghai Branch Of The Tzu Chi Foundation

With the continuous development of reform and opening, China have achieved rapid development in civil affairs. Large numbers of non-profit organizations are emerging. Tzu Chi Foundation has stood out among those non-profit organizations. Tzu Chi is well received by mainland Chinese residents. This paper examines the Tzu Chi Shanghai office by observing in Tzu Chi’s charity and philanthropy work. Try to focus the social inclusion and social identity of Tzu Chi volunteers. The research will provide new ideas for difficulties in China’s non-profit organizations. It also has referential significance to religious charities in mainland.The paper is divided into five parts. Part one introduces the background and significance of Tzu Chi researching, then introduces previous studies and the research methods of the paper. Part two analyses the religious roots of Tzu Chi and introduces the basic situation of Tzu Chi in Taiwan and Shanghai. Part three introduces the volunteer activities and religious activities in Tzu Chi. Part four describes three main cases in Tzu Chi and summaries five similar features of appearance, food, language, accent, habit in Tzu Chi’s activities and sum up Tzu Chi’s values which includes love, gratitude, karma, satisfaction, accomplishment. Part five is the discussion of selfassistance and mutual assistance, public welfare and religion in Tzu Chi, then summarize the process of social inclusion and social identity in social participation.