Written by Ben Tu
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Anik Ghose
On May 7, 2026, Walnut Mayor Richie Cajulis hosted the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at the City of Walnut Senior Center in California. Held in recognition of the National Day of Prayer, the gathering brought together local government officials, faith leaders, educators, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to offer blessings for the city, its families, and communities around the world.
The Tzu Chi Education Foundation and Tzu Chi Elementary School were invited to participate. Led by PJ Tan, Deputy CEO of the Tzu Chi Education Foundation, the delegation included Tzu Chi volunteers, members of the Tzu Chi Elementary School Choir, and parents.
Through a sign language performance of “Love and Care” and the choir’s rendition of “It’s a Brand New Beautiful Day,” participants shared messages of love, hope, and kindness while highlighting Tzu Chi’s long-standing commitment to humanistic education and community engagement.
People of Different Faiths Gather to Bless the Community
The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast was more than a religious gathering. It provided a platform for cross-cultural dialogue, interfaith engagement, and community service.
Representatives of Christian and Buddhist communities joined educators, nonprofit organizations, and local government officials in offering prayers for the city and the world, reflecting Walnut’s diverse and inclusive community.
Venerable Hui Cheng of Hsi Lai Temple was among those invited to offer blessings, sharing a serene Buddhist prayer with those in attendance. The participation of Tzu Chi and Hsi Lai Temple also reflected the active role of Chinese American Buddhist organizations in Southern California’s broader civic community.
PJ Tan, Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi USA, said that gathering communities through prayer has a long tradition in the United States and that Tzu Chi was honored to participate.
Today, on behalf of Tzu Chi, we join with various religious groups to pray for the entire United States, the whole world, and our local community. I believe that civic organizations in the U.S. possess a profound humanistic spirit, and through prayer, we can all come together to wish for a more peaceful and benevolent world.
Tan also noted that Tzu Chi has collaborated with the City of Walnut for several years and has received continued support from the mayor and city administration for character education, humanistic education, and community activities.
Through this special sign language performance of ‘Love and Care,’ we hope to show the public that Tzu Chi is not only dedicated to emergency relief but also embodies peace, dignity, and the values of truth, goodness, and beauty through the power of humanity and prayer.
Children’s Voices Touch the Audience
Tzu Chi volunteers opened their presentation with a sign language rendition of “Love and Care.”
Dressed in traditional cheongsams and Tzu Chi’s signature blue-and-white uniforms, the volunteers conveyed compassion through graceful formations and gentle gestures, creating a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere.
Next, the Tzu Chi Elementary School Choir took the stage to perform “It’s a Brand New Beautiful Day.”
Through their cheerful movements, bright smiles, and energetic singing, the children shared their hopes and blessings with the audience.
Benjamin Tsao, principal of Tzu Chi Elementary School, said the students had spent considerable time preparing for the performance and were eager to share their heartfelt wishes with the community.
The children want to dedicate this song to the guests here and the public, and they hope to share this wonderful moment with everyone.
Tsao was delighted to see the students successfully complete their performance.
Overall, today’s event was a great success. The city government was delighted with our performance, and both the children and their parents were filled with joy and emotion. We look forward to returning in the future and continuing to share the power of love and kindness with the community through the children’s songs and cultural performances.
Hsiao-Wen, a music teacher at Tzu Chi Elementary School, said the experience gave the children more than an opportunity to perform—it also helped them develop confidence.
The choir prepared ‘It’s a Brand New Beautiful Day’ for this performance, which was a great success, and the children gained a lot of self-confidence from it. They were all very happy to participate.
She also thanked everyone who helped the students prepare.
Thank you to the principal, the school, and the parents for their support, and thank you to the children for working so hard.
Bringing Education Into the Community
For Tzu Chi, education extends beyond academic knowledge. Character development, humanistic values, and life education are also central to helping children grow.
Through music, teamwork, and community participation, students have opportunities to practice gratitude, respect, compassion, and service. Experiences outside the classroom also show them how they can bring kindness and care into the wider community.
Parents shared in the joy of seeing the children put these values into practice.
Franciszek William, whose daughter participated in the performance, described the event as a deeply moving experience.
Today’s event was truly heartwarming and very moving. It’s wonderful to see the teachers, staff, and children working together.
Watching his daughter sing on stage was particularly meaningful.
Seeing my little treasure standing on stage and singing with my own eyes really moved me and made me so happy. I was also happy to see that the other children and their parents had a wonderful time.
For him, the experience could be summed up simply:
I’m glad to be part of this.
Walnut Mayor Richie Cajulis was also moved by the performances.
The performance by the Tzu Chi children and all the members was truly wonderful. It was a very moving song.
Cajulis said the students’ smiles and singing resonated with those attending the breakfast.
The audience was very happy, and everyone was deeply moved, especially when watching the children perform.
He emphasized that the spirit of the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is rooted in bringing people together through the goodwill and care of different faith communities.
Today is also the National Day of Prayer. Let us pray together for our country and for our city.
Advancing the Common Good Through Education and Humanistic Values
In recent years, the City of Walnut has worked to strengthen connections among its diverse cultures and communities, fostering opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue, interfaith engagement, and community collaboration.
Organizations invited to participate in the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast reflected a shared commitment to community service and civic engagement.
Tzu Chi has long supported education, cultural enrichment, environmental protection, and public service in Walnut. From character education in schools and community volunteer initiatives to environmental education and international exchanges, these efforts seek to support children and families through education, compassion, gratitude, and humanistic values.
At the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, that mission came to life through the students themselves.
Their songs and smiles represented more than a stage performance. They reflected the hope, confidence, and positive energy that young people can bring to their communities when education is rooted in kindness and service.
By connecting education with community engagement, Tzu Chi seeks to help children understand that even small acts of kindness can take root, inspire others, and contribute to a more compassionate world.
Education can help children develop not only knowledge and skills but also the compassion, confidence, and sense of responsibility needed to make a difference in their communities.
