Buddhist Tzu Chi (慈濟) Foundation founder Cheng Yen (證嚴) has been named as one of the BBC’s 2022 top 100 most inspiring and influential women in the world.
According to the BBC, Cheng is one of the most influential figures in the development of contemporary Buddhism. The 85 year old dharma master is often referred to as "Asia's Mother Teresa."
Cheng founded Tzu Chi’s as the Tzu Chi Merit Society in 1966. The organization has grown from 30 housewives saving money to help families in need to millions of followers around the world. They work to provide medical and financial relief as well as aid in running schools and hospitals. Most recently, Tzu Chi has been supplying financial and material assistance to refugees in Ukraine.
The BBC’s 100 top women list also includes Japanese climate advocate Kimiko Hirata, and Park Ji-hyun, a student who broke up one of South Korea's largest cybercrime groups.
The BBC says this year's list reflects the role that women play in conflicts around the world. This is also the first year that the BBC has consulted women who have previously been named to the Top 100 in preparing the list.