Despite being under cancer treatment, an exhausted Zhu Ju Ying still made it to the prayer ceremony. (Photo by Chua Teong Seng)
Inviting all its members to honour the Buddha, parents and fellow sentient beings simultaneously, Tzu Chi Singapore celebrated its Taiwan headquarters’ 46th anniversary at the Yio Chu Kang Stadium with a world peace interfaith prayer ceremony which attracted nearly 10,000 people. The participants are of different races, nationalities and religions, and several in the 1798-strong formation team and the audience were physically and emotionally challenged.
Among those taking part in the human formation was 12-year-old Yu Jian Hao, the son of Tzu Chi commissioner, Dorothy Teo. Also a Tzu Chi Teenagers’ Class member, Jian Hao suffers from mild celebral palsy. The fact that participating in the formation requires one to join in the walking meditation (circumambulation session) was a challenge as Jian Hao has trouble walking steadily.
Jian Hao’s mother was taken aback when she first learnt that her son had registered himself for the formation team with the Teenager’s Class. She was worried that her son might disrupt the overall pace of the team given his walking condition. The strong-willed teenager however managed to put in his best to sync with the rest of the team and put his mother’s mind at ease.
Sister Teo was both grateful and touched upon seeing how seriously her son took the matter.
Like Jian Hao, James Teo, who is both hearing and speech impaired, voluntarily took part in the human formation. The gentleman who is in his 40s was apprehensive at the beginning as he could not hear the verse music that accompanied the walking meditation at all. However, he felt that he had to set an exemplary example for his two children and bring them more often to a wholesome environment.
For the first rehearsal at the stadium on 5 May, Mr Teo brought his wife and children along. During rehearsal, his children kept approaching the formation ground and greeting him mischievously. The father could tell that his boys were happy at the family outing.
“We have to inculcate in our children the right values when they are young.” Mr Teo shared in sign language which his younger sister, who was by his side, translated for him.
In the run up to the event, Sister Choo Pui Voon and a few volunteers visited Mr Teo twice at his home to give him special coaching. Sister Choo communicated with Mr Teo through a laptop, telling him the process involved in the prayer ceremony as well as playing lectures of Master Cheng Yen to keep him encouraged. They often engaged in lively and happy conversations through typing on the laptop. The volunteers also guided Mr Teo in the walking meditation motion practicing in his kitchen area. He would observe attentively how the volunteers did it and followed suit, uttering two words for every step he made with total mindfulness.
On 12 May, the day of the full rehearsal, the volunteers travelled with the family from Woodlands MRT station to Yio Chu Kang stadium and kept giving Mr Teo gentle reminders and cues by his side during the rehearsals. The attention and care showered on Mr Teo allowed him to have peace of mind and he stayed undaunted.
“Sister Choo is a very attentive person. No one has ever been so nice as to pay me a visit and teach me patiently,” said Mr Teo through his sister’s interpretation.
“My thinking is that since he has to overcome his disabilities to take part in this and he is doing it with such devotion, it is our duty to fully engage him and to care for him,” said Sister Choo. That is why the Tzu Chi commissioner enjoyed giving the coaching sessions even though she had to rush to Mr Teo’s house after work for it. Sister Choo also admired Mr Teo for always trying to set an example for his children despite his limitations.
Apart from the physically challenged participants, there were also members of the audience who decided to walk out of their comfort zone.
Ever since the passing of her husband, Grandma Leong, who sustained a leg injury and has difficulty in mobility, has not have much opportunity to socialize with the outside world. With the encouragement of her friend Hoo Soo Moi, who is also a Tzu Chi volunteer, Grandma Leong finally took the first step out.
That evening at the prayer ceremony with her daughter and son-in-law, the long lost smile returned to her face and the senior did not complain even after walking a long distance.
“I’m very joyful today praying with everyone for a safe and peaceful world,” she enthused. “With so many people around, it is like a different world to me! I like it and will join you all more often in future.”
Her daughter, Luo Renjian was elated to see the changes in her mother.
“Tzu Chi always takes great pains in making sure orderliness in its activities so we feel safe bringing our mother here. I’m very happy that she’s coming with us today as we have been trying to get her to socialize more. Thank you so much for conducting this prayer ceremony,” said Ms Luo. As it was also Mothers’ Day, both daughter and son-in-law took the opportunity to wish their mother to stay cheerful and happy.
Also among the audience was a frail, mask-wearing lady sitting on a wheelchair. The lady has a very simple wish, which was to make it to the prayer ceremony and to be able to pay homage to the Buddha in person.
Nicknamed as Sister Ah Ying by the local Tzu Chi volunteers, Zhu Ju Ying is an Indonesian previously living in the US. She came to Singapore a month ago to receive treatment for her lung cancer. Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Singapore, Sister Susi, told her about the prayer ceremony earlier during a visit she paid her with some Tzu Chi volunteers.
Still new to Tzu Chi, Sister Ah Ying has been looking forward to keeping in touch with Tzu Chi in a foreign land. Thrilled to learn about the ceremony, she made up her mind to attend the event despite all odds.
“I suffer from many diseases, and now that I am in my old age, I realize one has to do more good deeds while alive.” Sister Ah Ying removed her mask and said with much seriousness and thoughtfulness.
While paying homage to the Buddha by touching His feet, one shows his gratitude to the Buddha. By receiving flowers, one is bestowed with the blessings of the Buddha. We wish all who participated in the event auspicious and happiness, and may everyone come forward and make contributions to the society with a pure and healthy mind and body.
The Buddha Day ceremony is simple yet it carries much significance. May all of us seize the moment and take a vow to always strive to better ourselves and remain courageous, to overcome the physical and mental obstacles and to reinforce our wholesome thoughts and missions.
When Yu Jian Hao registered himself for the prayer ceremony human formation team, his mother Dorothy was worried that her son might hamper the progress of the others. Sister Dorothy was eventually greatly gratified and touched by the determination of her son and the coaching provided by Tzu Chi volunteers to her son. (Photo by Alvin Tan)
Walking with unsteady steps, Yu Jian Hao tried his best to keep in sync with others for a successful formation presentation. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
Keen to set an exemplary example for his children, James Teo, who is hearing and speech impaired, signed up for the formation. Sister Choo Pui Voon (right) and other volunteers visited him twice at his home to conduct special training sessions for him. (Photo by Chiew Lay Moi)
On 5 May, Mr Teo took part in a rehearsal enthusiastically with the rest. As he cannot hear and speak, Sister Choo communicated with him through text messaging using a mobile phone. (Photo by Khoo Pin Joo)
Indonesian new volunteer Zhu Ju Ying came to Singapore from US a month ago for lung cancer treatment. On 10 May, our volunteers visited her with a cake to celebrate Mothers’ day with her in advance. (Photo by Yong Keah Pei)
Since the passing of her husband, Grandma Leong who has difficulties in walking hardly socialized with the outside world. On the day of the prayer ceremony, the senior found her long lost smile by attending the ceremony with her daughter and son-in-law. (Photo source: Da Ai TV’s Da Ai News)
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