![Volunteers presented an environmental drama. Their costumes crafted from discarded materials convey environmental awareness through silent artistry. [Photo by Choong Keat Yee]](/images/Articles/RW/2026/KL20260111_zgy02_040.jpg "Volunteers presented an environmental drama. Their costumes crafted from discarded materials convey environmental awareness through silent artistry. [Photo by Choong Keat Yee]")
On January 11, 2026, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor welcomed thousands of attendees across multiple sessions of its annual Year-End Blessing Ceremony. With a second round to be held on January 25, the event is expected to draw more than 8,000 attendees in total.
The moment visitors stepped onto the grounds of KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall, they were warmly greeted not only by volunteers, but also by an 11-metre whale installation. The striking display prompted many to slow down and instinctively capture the sight.
Further along, a group of sprightly seniors presented festive dances to welcome the attendees. The latter may also ring the peace bell or sound the drum to offer their blessings – simple rituals to usher in the new year with positivity and hope.
In the lobby, attendees lit digital lamps in prayers, while the crisp clink of coins echoed as attendees poured a year’s worth of bamboo bank savings into a large urn. Nearby, the Green Action Experiential Exhibition and thoughtfully arranged photo spots invited attendees to explore, reflect and leave with keepsakes of the day.
◎ Green action: A wake-up call we can no longer ignore
Through guided tours, interactive experiences and immersive installations, the Green Action Experiential Exhibition, launched on August 24, 2025, encouraged visitors to reflect on their daily choices and to adopt environmentally conscious practices in everyday life.
Themed zones, from “The Bottomless Pit of Desire” to the urgent ticking of “The Climate Clock” and “The Call of the Whales”, conveyed a clear message that our planet is under immense pressure, and every one of us must take action.
Sixteen-year-old Asthon Tan attended the event with his father and sister. He spent the most time in the “Underground World” and in zones highlighting disaster-related issues. Scenes depicting earthquakes and floods reminded him of Malaysia’s recent incessant downpours and flash floods. He also recalled news of an earthquake in Thailand that caused buildings to collapse and claimed lives, leaving him sobered by nature’s force.
At “The Climate Clock” zone, he asked about the 1.5°C global warming threshold. Upon learning that exceeding this limit would lead to increasingly frequent extreme weather events, a sense of urgency sank in. “We should plant more trees and waste less,” he said. “Excessive human consumption is putting greater and greater pressure on the Earth.”
Among the 5Rs of waste management, the word that stayed with him most was “Refuse”. “We need to say ‘no’ to plastic bags and to things we don’t really need.” Wearable clothes can be donated, plastic containers should be washed and reused or recycled, rather than simply discarded. “If plastic ends up in the ocean, marine life may eat it and die,” he added. His words were simple yet sincere: “Let’s protect the environment together.”
◎ Use a little less, let the Earth breathe
During the ceremony, the drama “Let the Earth Breathe” deepened awareness of environmental protection. As the lights dimmed, “Mother Earth” appeared on stage, coughing softly. The story moved from the convenience of endless shopping to the harm caused by plastic waste, and then to the quiet dedication of recycling volunteers. It mirrored how easily modern life slips into excess, reminding everyone to refuse and reduce unnecessary consumption, and to treat Mother Earth with gentleness and care.
For Tay Syan Siew, the performance struck a deep chord. She said, “I had never realised how a single PET bottle or a (single-use) cup could affect the planet so profoundly.” When scenes of marine life entangled in plastic appeared, she turned teary-eyed. “The harm isn’t intentional, but it accumulates over time.”
Scenes of relentless shopping prompted her to rethink her family’s habits. “We are so used to buying and buying, when children’s clothes could actually be passed on,” she reflected. She came to realise that waste is not merely about materials but also reflects a form of negligence towards the environment and towards life itself.
Learning that many of the stage props and exhibition pieces—including the giant eco-whale—were fashioned from recovered items, surprised her and made the message even more powerful.
Attending the event with her two daughters, and believing strongly in leading by example, she said, “If adults don’t set an example, children will ask, ‘Why should I change?’” She feels inspired to adjust her consumption habits and guide her children to make environmental care part of daily life.
“The Earth really needs a breather,” she said softly. “I hope my children will grow up seeing clean oceans and beautiful natural landscapes.”
◎ A blessing that lasts throughout the year
Each year, Master Cheng Yen turns her book royalties into Red Envelope of Blessings and Wisdom as a gesture of gratitude to Tzu Chi volunteers and long-time supporters around the world.
For Wong Chou Hong, who has attended the Year-End Blessing Ceremony for over a decade, the event is also a time to settle the heart. Receiving the Master’s red envelope brings reassurance for the year ahead and serves as a reminder to maintain wholesome thoughts.
The environmental messages shared at the event reshaped her understanding of sustainability. “The best way to protect the environment is to use less, or not at all,” she said. “I used to think recycling was enough, but today I realised that what truly matters is reducing at the source—not buying unnecessary items in the first place.”
She has decided to practise waste sorting at home, reduce single-use items, cherish water, and encourage her family to join her efforts. Most of all, she was moved by the Master’s words: “With a great vow comes great strength.” The phrase planted a seed in her heart—not to stop at good intentions, but to take action. “Now, the red envelope is no longer just a symbol of peace,” she said. “It is a reminder to do good and to cultivate.”
●
The Year-End Blessing Ceremony is not a closing chapter but a continuation, encouraging all who attend to extend kindness beyond living beings to the environment.
If each of us can use a little less and think a little more for the Earth, the intention to protect our planet will take root. From there, a cleaner, safer and more compassionate world can grow, for our children and for generations to come.
