Year-End Blessing and Sharing of Book Reflections & Ocarina Music

The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation (hereinafter referred to as Tzu Chi) has long collaborated with this prison, promoting humanities and arts–based rehabilitative programs such as reading reflection competitions and ocarina classes. Through reading and music, incarcerated individuals are encouraged to cultivate their character and enhance cultural literacy. The year-end “A Turn of the Heart, a Brighter Path” Reading and Music Sharing Event guided participants to reflect on the meaning of life through three core themes—reading, music, and blessings—lighting hope as the new year approaches.

The event opened with a taiko drum performance and lion dance presented by the Tzu Chi Cultural and Educational Foundation. The powerful drumbeats and energetic lion dance symbolized courage, renewal, and blessings. This was followed by performances from this prison’s Ocarina Class, with incarcerated participants playing pieces such as Love in the Human World, showcasing their learningachievements. Winners of the Infinite Meanings of the Dharma reading reflection writing competition then shared the spiritual impact that reading had brought to them.

Through the serenity of music and the warmth of words, participants experienced peace and healing through melody. In their reflections, they spoke of the inner transformation following their reading of Infinite Meanings of the Dharma, nourishing the heart with “love” and illuminating it with “goodness,” allowing gentle seeds to quietly take root within.

At the conclusion of the event, the warden and Tzu Chi volunteers distributed “blessings and wisdom” red envelopes to the incarcerated participants. Led by the Tzu Chi volunteer team, everyone then lit heart lamps and observed a moment of silent prayer—bringing the year to a close and setting new aspirations for the year ahead, ushering in renewed hope.

Wen Min-nan, Chief of the Rehabilitation Division, expressed gratitude to Tzu Chi brothers and sisters, as well as volunteers from the Tzu Chi Cultural and Educational Foundation, for their dedication. By transforming taiko drumming, lion dance, and music into tangible expressions of care, they enabled participants to feel goodwill and support in a lively yet warm atmosphere.

Warden Huang Hung-hsi noted that the event brought together collective efforts, using art as a bridge to quietly deliver charity and benevolent intentions into every heart. Genuine compassion transcended inner barriers, awakening deep emotions and allowing love and kindness to continue flowing unseen. He concluded by extending sincere thanks to all volunteers, affirming their long-term companionship and contributions in bringing warmth and strength to correctional education and rehabilitation.