Photo by Ng Shey Ying
“No matter how large your business empire is, if you do not give back to society, it cannot be deemed as a successful one.”
On the invitation by Tzu Chi Singapore Branch, a group of 10 Tzu Chi volunteers, including three successful entrepreneur volunteers arrived from Taiwan on 24 February to share “The Meaning of a Good Life” at the Kallang Theatre.
The three sharers are Mr Walter Huang, chairman of TEXMA International Co. Ltd., Mr Hou Po-wen, who is at the helm of a large Taiwan-based construction group and Mr Wei Yin-chun of Wei Chuan Food Corp. The trio are successful entrepreneurs in their respective fields. Inspired by Master Cheng Yen’s compassionate humanitarian spirit and through participating in Tzu Chi mission of charity as well as environmental protection mission, they became the pioneer force behind the setting up of DA.AI Technology Co., Ltd.
DA.AI Technology Co. Ltd. was set up in the year 2008 by a group of entrepreneurs under Tzu Chi International Humanitarian Aid Association (TIHAA). The group comprises businessmen in the garment industry researching into and successfully turning polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into woven threads used for manufacturing of eco-friendly clothing, scarves and blankets etc. The eco blankets in particular were distributed in the many international relief missions of Tzu Chi in Japan, Haiti, China as well as Australia, benefiting more than 600,000 people displaced by natural disasters.
An Entrepreneur’s true conscience and calibre
The idea of the eco blanket comes from Mr Walter Huang of TEXMA International. Combining his expertise in the garment manufacturing trade with Tzu Chi philosophy in environmental protection as well as charity, the invention of these eco products that is made from PET bottles has became popular in the international arena.
Walter Huang once thought that a successful businessman should be one who knows how to enjoy life in terms of eating good food, drinking and having fun. Under the influence of his wife Lee Shih, he started participating in Tzu Chi’s international relief missions, which ultimately changed his outlook in life. He recalled once when he was in Sichuan doing a relief distribution, the local folk told him that the local average income is only RMB219 (S$57), whereas his hotel room have cost him US$200 (S$250) a night! Getting so close to the sufferings have helped him realize how fortunate he is and since then, whenever he is in China for business, he will just make do sleeping on the makeshift bed in his office.
Through international relief, Huang came to understand the joy derived from helping others. “No matter how large your enterprise has grown, if you are not reaching out to others, you cannot call yourself a successful entrepreneur,” he continued.
Once, Huang even turned down the appointment of a big overseas customer as he wanted to go for his international relief mission in China. Prior to leaving, he was mentally prepared to lose the order from this customer. However, to his surprise, his company was still awarded the order of US$10 million (around S$12 million) contract, true to the saying that doing good deeds begets good fortune.
Attributing his success to the teaching of Master Cheng Yen, Huang is grateful to be able to learn from the Master and to contribute his professionalism to the good of the society. “The larger one’s business empire is, the further he should expand his philanthropy deeds,” remarked the humble entrepreneur.
Practice vigilance during good times
The director of a large construction company as well as chairman of Hotel Riverview Taipei, Mr Hou Po-wen shared with audience his special affinity with Tzu Chi, garnering laughter from the audience with his humorous and witty speech.
Born with a silver spoon, Hou has never known what suffering in life meant to him, until his father and wife fell ill. That is when he realized the impermanence of life and that is how he got started with his Tzu Chi’s journey.
“I made the wish to join Tzu Chi if my father and wife get well.” And he did subsequently fulfill that inner promise. Following at the side of Master Cheng Yen, from the building of Tzu Chi Hospital, to the construction of the 50 schools after the devastating 9/21 earthquake, he came to realize the great strength and compassion of Master Cheng Yen. Today, Hou is not only very involved in Tzu Chi work, he has also invited many of his entrepreneur friends to come forward to do good deeds, learning to be the “riches amongst the rich” for a harmonious society.
“I always thought I am helping Tzu Chi. However, after all these years, I realize the one who benefitted most is myself. I have got rid of my die-hard smoking habits and became a vegetarian and the three highs – high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol have all become things of the past.”
Imparting humanistic culture in business environ
Mr Wei Yin-chun is the chairman of Wei Chuan Food Corp. with business expanded into mainland China. Even though he has a busy schedule, he will fly back to Taiwan every weekend without fail to participate in Tzu Chi works. Grateful for what he has achieved, Wei is determined to instill the good traditional moral values of filial piety, diligence and frugality in his business as well as his family. By undertaking the rebuilding of his ancestor home, Wei hopes to further enhance the good family values which should be passed on from generations to generations.
Wei lives through poverty during his childhood days. However, he and his three brothers work cohesively and together they built a successful Ting Hsin International Group. He also instills Tzu Chi humanistic values into his company by engaging his staff to participate in recycling activities and even attending flower arrangement course etc. His employees are encouraged to participate in Tzu Chi volunteers’ training sessions and he hopes that all in the company can be embraced in a working environment of goodness and harmony.
Wei believes that an enterprise can exert an influence on an employee and in turn influence a family and the community at large. He wishes that local entrepreneurs can come forward to contribute their capability and together make Singapore a land full of Love.
The repercussion of Love and Kindness
Among the audience was Best World International CEO Dr Dora Hoan. She mentioned that the three entrepreneurs’ sharing has let her witness the changes in them after they joined Tzu Chi. With the cultivation of correct moral values in every individual, she believes this will eventually lead to a blissful family life.
Mr Philip Kia Er Chew, Vice Chairman of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Culture, Education & Community Affairs Committee, was very touched by the videos and sharing of the three speakers. “I used to only think about how to make more money but never did I think that there is so much more an entrepreneur can do for the society.” He too hopes that he can be an entrepreneur who is able to contribute back to society.
First year NTU accounting student, Tan Hian Huat approached Mr Wei Yin-chun after the talk and hopes to learn more from him. The young man’s late grandfather, who is in property development and trading, had taught him the importance of integrity and sincerity in doing business. Mr Wei reminds him of his grandfather and he hopes to be able to inculcate humanistic values into his career in the future, just like what Mr Wei does in his company.
About 1500 local entrepreneurs, members of the public and Tzu Chi volunteers attended the talk that evening. It is our earnest wish that more local entrepreneurs will be inspired and come forward to create a life of good meaning and a loving society
Our sign language team and the Singapore Tzu Chi International Medical Association members team up to perform a moving sign language song titled “Embracing All Beings” on stage. (Photo by Alvin Tan)
Walter Huang shares on his affinity with Tzu Chi and his participation in Tzu Chi’s missions. (Photo by Hoh Hoong Koan)
Chairman of Hotel Riverview Taipei, Mr Hou Po-wen hopes to inspire spiritual richness amongst the rich through his sharing. (Photo by Alvin Tan)
Mr Wei Yin-chun shares on how he achieved a balance in life juggling between his business, Tzu Chi works and family. (Photo by Alvin Tan)
The talk brought many reflections to Mr Philip Kia from the Singapore Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry. He hopes he can become an entrepreneur who contributes to the society. (Photo by Alvin Tan)
Dr Dora Hoan, CEO of Best World International Pte. Ltd., praised Tzu Chi for its good work and good influence by putting Buddhism into practice. (Photo by Law Sook Fong)
NTU accounting student Tan Hian Huat hopes to learn more from Mr Wei on how to instill Tzu Chi’s humanistic values into his future career. (Photo by Alvin Tan)
Mr Sim Hee Chew, the coordinator of Singapore Tzu Chi entrepreneur group, narrating the founding stories of Tzu Chi to Member of Parliament Mr Yeo Guat Kwang who was invited to the talk. (Photo by Alvin Tan)
A stall was set up on the lobby of Kallang Theatre to promote DA.AI Technology’s eco products. (Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
Participants flocked to the Jing Si Publication stall before and after the talk to check out on the books and other items available. (Photo by Hoh Hoong Koan)
Share 
