Taiwan's Tzu Chi as Engaged Buddhism: Origins, Organization, Appeal and Social Impact -- CONTENTS -- LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS -- LIST OF TABLES AND CHART PAGE -- FOREWORD -- PREFACE -- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -- NOTES ON STYLE -- CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: THE SECOND GOLDEN AGE OF CHINESE BUDDHISM IN TAIWAN -- The Aim of the Study -- The Society, History and Ethnology of Taiwan -- The Contemporary Taiwanese Religious Context: Limited Pluralism -- A History of Chinese Buddhism in Taiwan -- Traditional Religion in Taiwan -- Daoism -- Western Missions and Missionaries -- Syncretism and Other New Religions in Taiwan -- Yi-guan Dao (or I-kuan Tao) -- Supreme Ching Hai -- Zhenfo Zong -- Japanese New Religions in Taiwan -- The History of Lay Buddhism in Taiwan -- CHAPTER TWO: RESEARCH APPROACH AND METHODS -- Review of the Literature in English -- The Study of Appeal and the Approach of my Research -- The Challenge and Difficulties of Research in Taiwan -- The Collection of Data -- Review of Literature -- Participant Observation -- Interviews -- Surveys -- The Weaknesses and Strengths of the Methods -- CHAPTER THREE: THE HISTORY OF TZU CHI: ORGANIZATION, LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC RESPONSES -- The History of Master Cheng Yen -- Master Cheng Yen as a Charismatic Leader -- The History of Tzu Chi -- The Media Coverage of Tzu Chi -- Conclusion and Discussion -- CHAPTER FOUR: TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES: ALTRUISM AND MORALITY BECOME A WAY OF LIFE -- The Teachings on Karma and Merit -- The Teachings on Worldly Salvation -- The Sacred and the Profane -- The Tzu Chi Ethos - Altruism and Morality Become a Way of Life -- Death Ritual, Tzu Chi Funeral Service and Ancestors -- Tzu Chi as a New Religion -- CHAPTER FIVE: THE 'NEW MIDDLE CLASS': THE SOCIAL COMPOSITION OF THE TZU CHI MEMBERSHIP -- Gender, Age and Marital Status of Tzu Chi Members, and Some Problems.

Domicile, Social life and Family Unit -- Identity, Political Attitudes and Ethos -- Education, Occupation and Views on Women and Men -- Previous Religious Experiences and Present Religious Status -- Conclusion and Discussion -- CHAPTER SIX: BECOMING A DISCIPLE: THE RECRUITING STRATEGY OF TZU CHI -- How the Members Came to Know about Tzu Chi -- How the Members First Encountered Tzu Chi -- Routes To Joining Tzu Chi -- Some Problems with Joining Tzu Chi -- Summary and Discussion -- CHAPTER SEVEN: TZU CHI'S ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND THE PROCESS OF SOCIALIZATION -- Impersonal Organizational Structure -- The Abode and Headquarters -- The Tzu Chi Branches and Liaison Offices -- Tzu Chi Overseas Centres -- The Leadership of Master Cheng Yen -- The Process of Socialization -- The New Converts -- The Grouping, Bonds of Affection and Seniority -- The Process of Indoctrination -- The Initiation Ceremony -- Discussion and Problems -- CHAPTER EIGHT: THE APPEAL OF TZU CHI BUDDHISM -- The Initial Appeal -- The Appeal of Tzu Chi as a Charity -- Tzu Chi's Recruiting Strategy -- The Quality of Tzu Chi's Members -- The Curiosity Factor -- Reinforcement of the Appeal -- The Appeal of Tzu Chi's Way of Handling Donations -- The Appeal of the Master Cheng Yen -- The Appeal of Tzu Chi's Religiosity -- The Appeal of Tzu Chi as a Large Organization -- The Appeal of the Sense of Community -- The Appeal from the Effects of Participation -- Conclusion -- CHAPTER NINE: DOES TZU CHI MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF CURRENT SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY? -- AFTERWORD -- Final Reflections on the Character of the Movement -- APPENDIX -- 1. Religious Change in Taiwan -- 2. The Educational Background of Tzu Chi Members -- 3. The Educational Background of Tzu Chi Members - by Gender -- 4. The Educational Background of Tzu Chi Members - by Age -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX.