Aid recipient Tan Yew Hock

Two packets of cigarettes cost about S$20 and 3 bottles of beer are about S$38.

S$38 plus S$20 is S$58. You can count how much I spent on them per month. 

Tzu Chi Singapore’s CEO  Low Swee Seh

Actually we didn’t take into account of the money he spent on cigarettes and alcohol. We thought that he had enough money and even had a small amount left. 

Besides money, Tzu Chi volunteers often spoke to Tan about his smoking and drinking habits.  

Aid recipient Tan Yew Hock

The volunteers would ask whether I had quit smoking and drinking every month. (Were you frustrated?) No. Their intentions were good.                                      

Although Tzu Chi did not increase his monthly allowances and the volunteers often asked him to quit drinking and smoking, Tan did not get frustrated and felt blessed instead. Afflicted with high cholesterol, diabetes, depression and colon cancer for over 10 years, Tan had a bad temper which led to the breakdown of his family and he even became homeless for some time. He finally saw light and hope after Tzu Chi volunteers started visiting him.                                                                                                           

Aid recipient Tan Yew Hock

I’ve tried killing myself 3 times in the hospital. I felt very stressed out each time. But I was always angry with myself.

Tzu Chi Singapore’s CEO  Low Swee Seh

Each time we visited him, he looked worried and gloomy, and spoke very little. He didn’t interact well with us too. So we shared with him Jing Si Aphorisms and gave him a Bamboo Coin Bank.                                                                                                             

After some time, Tan began filling up the Bamboo Coin Bank with savings each month, despite having insufficient money for himself.                      

Tzu Chi Singapore’s CEO  Low Swee Seh

So I asked him why he was able to fill his Bamboo Coin Bank with savings to donate even though he had said that the allowance we gave him was not enough. And he told me that he had started to quit smoking.

Aid recipient Tan Yew Hock

Sometimes, after the volunteers had left, I would sit there and think to myself: What they said is right. Smoking and drinking are bad for health and they cost a lot of money. But I must admit that I couldn’t bear with the symptoms after I started to quit smoking. I felt uncomfortable while sitting, standing and walking. 

NS：A packet of cigarettes costs over ten dollars so I thought I should save the money in this Bamboo Coin Bank, which can be used to help many people.                                                                                              

After overcoming the painful symptoms of quitting drinking and smoking, Tan went on stage at Tzu Chi’s Chinese New Year Celebration for its aid beneficiaries in 2019, to share how he quit the bad habits and changed his temper too. 

Aid recipient Tan Yew Hock

I can speak kind words and not scold others all the time like in the past. I don’t do that now. When there is an opportunity, I would also join Tzu Chi volunteers in helping others. After helping people, I feel very happy.

Tzu Chi Singapore’s CEO  Low Swee Seh

Master Cheng Yen says that after relieving the suffering of people, we must share the Dharma with them. Now, his face is full of smiles and glows with energy, as though he has changed into a different person.

After caring for Tan for 3 years, Tzu Chi is not just a provider of S$200 of living allowance to him. Its volunteers have also helped transform his life and helped him rediscover his pure, innate nature.