Although business has dropped due to the pandemic, Neo can now spend more time volunteering in Tzu Chi. (Photo by Pang Lun Peng)
"I was deeply moved by Master Cheng Yen when I saw how she is able to shoulder the weight of caring and loving all people in the world despite her petite physique. I thought to myself that no matter how much my business grows, it can never be compared to her spirit of great love. True love is one that gives without seeking anything in return,” shared experienced Tzu Chi volunteer, Neo Siong Heng.
Neo recalled that there were only around 300 members from Tzu Chi Entrepreneurs Association in the earlier days when they went for the root-finding trip in Taiwan. During the trip, the daily sharing by everyone had given him deep impression and he was also deeply touched by Master Cheng Yen’s spirit of great love.
15 years ago, Neo was introduced to Tzu Chi by his wife, Tan Seok Kee. Not long after, he joined Tzu Chi as a volunteer. He started off with volunteering in recycling activities as he owned a small van, of which, he used to deliver the recyclables to the recycling company.
"I had to arrive early for preparation and be the last to go home as I had to wait for the recycling company to settle the bills," he shared.
Neo (centre) volunteering at the Shunfu Road recycling point in 2008. (Photo by Zhang You Ping)
After returning from the root-finding trip in Taiwan, Neo became one of the volunteer leaders under the Environmental Protection Mission. One of his new responsibilities was to organise activities to introduce Tzu Chi to the public.
“I had never organised such an event before. It felt easy when I did it every other day, but when I was assigned with a new task which I had to learn and be accountable for, I was sleepless for a few days!” shared Neo. However, Neo is still grateful that he always receives care and support from other volunteers along the way.
Conflicts and arguments are inevitable when people come together. Neo confessed that he would feel down when things do not go smoothly. However, he opined that, as long as one is willing to uphold a positive attitude and put oneself into others’ shoes, the matter will be resolved easily.
“A lot of issues can be resolved if we are willing to give in. There is nothing in this world that cannot be solved. Often, it remains a problem because we have not found the solution,” said Neo. To him, one must be willing to undertake the duty and accept whatever that comes with it when one has decided to commit into doing something. Most importantly, we must enjoy what we are doing.
Neo going from door to door with his partners to promote environmental awareness in 2009. (Photo by Khor Chooi Kim)
Neo Siong Heng and wife, Tan Seok Kee are cultivating on the bodhisattva path together. (Photo by Zhang You Ping)
Recruitment of new volunteers
In 2020, the new coronavirus had spread quickly across the globe and severely affected people’s lifestyle. Neo’s second-hand bookshop business which started in 1980’s was not spared from the crisis too. However, Neo described this situation as life having its both ends of balance, sometimes you gain, sometimes you lose. He used to be busy with his business in the past, but now he has more time to volunteer in Tzu Chi.
“It’s like a double beam balance scale, when one end is lighter, the other end gains more weight. Isn’t it good this way?” shared Neo.
Currently, Neo spends more time volunteering in Tzu Chi, such as serving at Da Ai Gallery and doing temperature screening at Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre. He also volunteers at Tzu Chi Free Clinic at Khatib every Friday. Apart from coordinating the administrative matters at the centre, he would also engage in casual conversations with the patients. As a volunteer leader of Tzu Chi’s Environmental Protection Mission, Neo shares with the patients on how adopting a plant-based diet can help protect the environment.
Neo used to be a man of few words. But everything changed when he heard Master Cheng Yen appealing to all to adopt a vegetarian diet. Therefore, he plucked up his courage to promote vegetarianism to the people around him as well as strangers. He would usually share about Tzu Chi’s Bamboo Coin Bank Era and some other oversea Tzu Chi stories with the patients. As long as the patient is willing to listen to him, he would continue with the conversation.
Neo also shared about one of his volunteer recruitment experience where he met a Christian friend who shares the same flower planting hobby as him. When their relationship got closer, Neo shared about his Tzu Chi experiences with the Christian friend including his experience serving at an oversea free clinic mission in Cambodia. To his surprise, his good friend donated S$300 out of his own good will. Not long after, Neo also encouraged his friend to become a Tzu Chi member to donate more regularly in order to help the needy for long term. Through the process of raising funds, Neo realised that everyone has a kind heart, just that nobody helps them to discover it.
"I am just a bridge to connect people with Tzu Chi. After they joined Tzu Chi, I will continue to interact with them and keep them informed of Tzu Chi news and events,” said Neo. He thinks that regardless of race and religion, the purpose of doing charity is to educate people to show care and concern to others and help the needy.
For members who are interested in becoming a Tzu Chi volunteer, Neo would arrange for them to attend a volunteer workshop, followed by arranging for them to volunteer at different Tzu Chi establishments. He would also accompany the new volunteers to visit Da Ai Gallery and participate in the monthly charity home visits. He is putting in such efforts to accompany the newbies with the hope that the new volunteers will understand the spirit of Tzu Chi.
"I will try my best to maintain the relationship with the new volunteers and inform them if there are any suitable events for them. I will accompany them if they want me to, if not I would just treat it as an affinity between us!" said Neo.
Neo also shared that he was a strict and impatient person in the past. He used to appear unapproachable and hardly smiles. Neo who also very stern with his workers.
"I would start losing temper if ever I meet any worker who still couldn’t pick up despite being taught several times,” confessed Neo.
However, after volunteering at Tzu Chi for more than a decade, the process of serving others has served as a good religious practice for him. Neo opined that after joining Tzu Chi, his attitude towards others have changed.
"I would keep adjusting my mindset and I can now reflect on myself faster!"
He also said that we need to do self-reflection and make positive changes on ourselves first. He further shared, “We should treat the weaknesses of others as a reminder and reflect on ourselves. If we see good role models, we should learn from them.”
Neo’s wife, Tan Seok Kee told us that in the past, Neo used to treat matters very seriously and goes by the books. Whenever he met with difficulties in his business, he would have problem going to sleep. However, he can now accept the current losses in his business with an open mind.
Tan thinks that this is because her husband has been listening to dharma the whole year round and therefore, he is now more understanding and tolerant of others. Tan said, “So long as we are willing to understand and listen to dharma, we will develop positive vibes when faced with difficulties. Even when there is an economy downturn, one would know how to make a choice, for example, cut down on daily expenses. One would not only think about the losses but rather think of ways to make adjustments in daily life.”
This pandemic has slowed down Neo’s pace and given him more time to reflect upon himself. Tan believes that all the changes that occur in life are caused by affinity.
To Neo, everyone’s unique life experiences, be it a smooth sailing one or one filled with hurdles, are all a learning process. “I can’t undo what I have done in the past, I can only decide on the direction of my future with what I do now,” said Neo.
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