The Origin and Spirit of “Pok Oi”

The word “Pok Oi” (博愛 or benevolent love) originated from Emperor Ku (2436 BC – 2367 BC). In Xin Shu: Xiu Zheng Yu, Jia Yi quotes Emperor Ku, saying “There is no higher virtue than the person who loves universally, and there is no greater governance than the person who seeks benefits for all.” Thousands of years ago, the sage already used “pok oi” as a model for human virtue, urging people to care for each other and achieve social harmony.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen particularly revered the spirit of “pok oi”. He believed that “the person who practises universal love is benevolent, loving for the public good rather than for personal gain” and advocated that humans should help and love each other, strive to eliminate conflicts and wealth disparities between people, and achieve harmony.

Pok Oi Hospital, inspired by Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s reverence for “pok oi,” promotes charitable welfare services in Hong Kong, seeking well-being for the underprivileged communities and cultivating a harmonious social culture. Pok Oi Hospital was founded in 1919 and has always adhered to the mission of “giving generously to help the public and being charitable and benevolent”. Today, Pok Oi has developed into a sizable charitable institution with over 100 service units throughout Hong Kong and the New Territories. Its service scope includes Western and traditional Chinese medicine, dental services, elderly care, youth and family services, and educational services, reaching various levels of society and providing essential services to millions of beneficiaries every year.