![Renowned performing artiste and singer Wan Fang graced the event with several heartfelt songs, creating a deeply moving experience for all. [Photo by Leong Chian Yee]](/images/Articles/RW/2025/KL20250427c_lqy01_039.jpg "Renowned performing artiste and singer Wan Fang graced the event with several heartfelt songs, creating a deeply moving experience for all. [Photo by Leong Chian Yee]")
There exists a television channel that speaks without clamour, yet touches hearts deeply, that shines without ostentation yet stands the test of time. More than a broadcaster, it quietly soothes souls with authentic stories of human warmth and compassion. This is Da Ai Television. In a world often shaken by turmoil, it continues to cast a gentle light upon the human spirit.
Media holds the power to guide people towards righteousness and stability, both in society and within the soul. Through compelling storytelling and visual narrative, Tzu Chi’s Mission of Humanistic Culture bears witness to humanity’s history and inherent goodness, creating an endless cycle of love and compassion.
In April 2025, a delegation from the Tzu Chi Communication Centre (TCCC) and Da Ai TV embarked on the “Discover Da Ai, Embrace Tzu Chi” global tour. Beginning in Singapore, the tour travelled through Malaysia, from Johor Bahru to Kedah, Penang, Malacca, and Muar, culminating at the Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall in Kuala Lumpur on April 27. Across 18 days and nine sessions, the tour drew more than 10,000 attendees.
The distinguished delegation included Eric Yao, Head of TCCC; Lin Tien-Lai, Chief Brand Officer of TCCC; Josephy Chen, TCCC spokeswoman; and Huang Tien-Ming, veteran Da Ai TV host. They were joined by renowned performing artistes Wan Fang, Johnny Yin, and Tan Soo Suan, alongside Ke Guo-Shou and his family—the real-life inspirations behind the Da Ai Drama, The Bittersweet Taste of Life.
Beyond introducing TCCC’s founding history and humanistic spirit, the tour showcased Da Ai TV’s high-quality dramas, documentaries, and news programmes, all guided by principles of truthful reporting and positive influence.
The three sessions in Kuala Lumpur welcomed over 3,400 volunteers and attendees. For many, it was a rare opportunity to meet in person the Da Ai TV personalities and the performing artistes they saw usually only from their screens.
◎ Spreading love through music
“The quiet mountains know no strife; we sow the fields of blessings with mindfulness, free from worry or desire, without resentment or regret…” Malaysian performing artiste Soo Suan gracefully made her way from the back of the hall to the stage, her crystalline voice filling the air with “Tranquil Mountains”. The mesmerised audience responded by turning on their phone flashlights, creating a constellation of light throughout the venue.
She followed with “Hand in Hand”, the theme song from A Life Bounded for Two, a Da Ai Drama featuring the life story of devoted educator Ma Wen-Zhong and his wife, Gu Qing-Yu. As the lyrics floated through the air, Soo Suan moved among the audience, encouraging everyone to join hands and sing together, embodying how countless people have joined the cause of Tzu Chi, serving humanity hand in hand.
Johnny’s rendition of “Wait for the Sun, Wait for You” evoked cherished memories of Tzu Chi’s heartfelt moments from years past, while the familiar rhythm of “A Grateful Heart” resonated deeply, infusing every listener with the power of gratitude. The hall transformed into a sea of stars as phone flashlights sparkled, while voices joined in harmony.
Wan Fang performed “Love in the World” as an expression of gratitude for “love”. “At some point in our lives, we’ve all been helped, and we’ve all helped others,” she shared, adding that “this flow of love is the essence of the song.”
Her performance of “Give Love” was accompanied by touching stories of Tzu Chi volunteers reaching out to survivors of Taiwan’s devastating 921 earthquake, including her own sister. Her warm vocals stirred deep emotions, uniting the audience in a shared aspiration to spread love far and wide.
The family behind The Bittersweet Taste of Life joined the event, sharing their emotional journey through a family that nearly fell apart due to domestic violence. Guo-Shou’s genuine repentance and his wife’s compassionate response, “Let bygones be bygones,” moved many to tears.
Volunteer Ong Jun Xiang reflected on experiencing the songs live for the first time and was particularly moved by “Hand in Hand”. When the artiste invited everyone present to join hands and sing along, he was deeply touched. “Only when we walk hand in hand can we go further, and only when everyone does good deeds together can we help more people in need.” Witnessing Guo-Shou’s public repentance, he said, “For a man to confess so openly before so many people, that takes tremendous courage.”
◎ Evolution through time
Twelve years had passed since familiar melodies and characters from Da Ai dramas had last come to life on stage in Malaysia. The song “Let Great Love Light Up the World” represented not only shared memories among the audience, but also a profound testament to life itself.
Eighty-two-year-old Tan Hui Lang gazed at the stage screen and reminisced, “I first attended a Da Ai Night at the Thean Hou Temple in 2000, and that was 25 years ago now.”
When Da Ai TV officially launched in Taiwan on January 1, 1998, there was no means of viewing it in Malaysia. Later, the TV station organised tours to Malaysia to host Da Ai Night concerts, providing local volunteers and viewers with their first opportunity to discover the channel and gain insight into Tzu Chi’s missions.
In 2005, the channel began broadcasting across Asia via satellite. With that, Malaysian viewers could install antennas and decoders for reception. However, unstable signals limited viewing quality and prevented wider viewership.
A breakthrough came in 2008 with a contract signed with DETV, an IPTV provider, enabling Malaysians to purchase receivers for clearer television reception. From that year forward, Da Ai Night evolved beyond concerts to include appearances by real-life subjects of Da Ai dramas alongside their portraying actors, sharing their stories together.
◎ A TV channel for everyone
Volunteer Tang Chiew Liew has been a faithful viewer of Da Ai TV since 2007, often moved to tears by its soulful programmes. For 18 years, it has remained the only TV channel she watches. At one point, she even convinced over 100 people in a single year to install the channel. She also actively invites others to become “Friends of Da Ai” and make annual contributions to support the non-profit station.
Whenever she hears that someone has been touched by a Da Ai programme, she feels her efforts are worthwhile. Deep down, it is clear to her that the content is not only entertaining but also delivers positive messages and brings peace of mind. Now tuning in via YouTube, she hopes to promote Da Ai programmes to even wider audiences, firmly believing that Great Love can illuminate the world and make it shine brighter.
Kee Sok Hon was one of those who installed Da Ai TV at home over a decade ago, following Chiew Liew’s recommendation. Through the Grassroots Bodhi programme, her mother learned the ropes of recyclable sorting and environmental protection practices, thereby rediscovering her sense of purpose in later life and inspiring positive change within the family.
Every morning before work, Sok Hon would tune in to Da Ai TV for Master Cheng Yen’s Dharma teachings. Over time, she found herself complaining less and embracing the philosophy of “do it with a willing heart, accept whatever comes with joy.” Touched by the programmes, her husband also thanked her for bringing blessings into their home. Now, Sok Hon watches Life Wisdom and Da Ai Headlines on her phone during lunch breaks to stay connected with Tzu Chi and global happenings.
◎ Finding peace in chaos
In his speech, Tien-Lai emphasised how Da Ai TV conveys goodness and purifies the mind. From its early days on satellite TV and set-top boxes, it has now transitioned to digital platforms. A dedicated WhatsApp channel now allows the public to access Da Ai programmes across various devices.
“In 1998, there were already more than 100 TV stations in Taiwan. However, Master believed that the more chaotic the world became, the more it needed a voice that could calm disrupted minds. Thus, Da Ai TV was born,” Josephy explained, speaking about the unwavering faith and aspiration behind Tzu Chi media. She shared that beyond documenting human history, the TV station bears witness to our times and spreads goodness in society, making it a channel suitable for the whole family.
Tien-Ming observed, “Love is the best remedy in the world.” Through Da Ai programmes, countless families have learned mutual love and improved parent-child communication, leading to more harmonious family lives. He called on the audience to join the official “Friends of Da Ai” WhatsApp channel to stay updated with heartwarming Tzu Chi work and extend charity beyond the screen.
Tzu Chi’s origins trace back to collective donations of just NT 50 cents (approximately MYR 5 cents). More than a decade later, the mission of building a hospital in Hualien, Taiwan, took shape step by step. Eric explained, “Master waited patiently and persistently for more people to understand and support Tzu Chi’s cause, only then could the aspiration for a hospital become reality.”
Reflecting on this challenging journey, it required not just vision, but exceptional resolve and perseverance. It also stands as a testament to how small but sincere acts of kindness, when united, can bring about profound and lasting change in the world.
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To save the world, we must first transform the mind. Since its inception, Da Ai TV has remained steadfast in its mission to purify hearts and minds. Through the “Discover Da Ai, Embrace Tzu Chi” tour, it is hoped that more people will come to appreciate Da Ai TV’s mission and value, thereby supporting this force that enhances social harmony.
In our chaotic world, people yearn for tranquillity. Da Ai TV continues to serve as that gentle light upon the heart, offering authentic stories of compassion and hope that transcend borders and touch souls across the globe.
