The world of Tzu Chi August 2020 (Vol.125)

2020 • 08 46 reminisced her fond memories of Grandpa Lim with tears welling in her eyes. Yih Suh Fuen, a former Tzu Chi Klang staff member, echoed Kwai Wan’s sentiments. “Grandpa Lim presented himself at the office at the start of every month to submit his donation booklet without fail. He greeted us as he walked in, asking us if we had had our meal. He cared for us like his grandchildren. Despite his ailing health in his advanced age, he insisted on delivering his donation booklet in his car driven by his chauffeur.” Whenever disasters occurred in other parts of the world, Grandpa Lim contributed generous donations to the disaster victims. According to Suh Fuen, Grandpa Lim once handed her a substantial sum as a donation; she informed him that the organization was not conducting any fundraising initiatives at the time. She later learnt that the money was originally pooled by his children to hold a wedding anniversary banquet for him and his wife, but he declined the banquet and donated the money to Tzu Chi instead in support of Master Cheng Yen’s charitable mission. Departing with quiet dignity Grandpa Lim passed away peacefully at home at around 4:00 p.m. on May 19, 2020 at the age of 93, wearing his Tzu Cheng Faith Corps suit and cap – the uniform he took pride in. He appeared serene, as if in deep, blissful slumber. More than ten Tzu Chi volunteers took turns to chant sutra verses until 3:30 a.m. during the wake, hoping to guide Grandpa Lim to a peaceful realm. Kwai Wan remembers Grandpa Lim as a respectable senior who prioritized duty above all else. “He often reminded me not to disclose his status to others. He was humble, kind and pure-hearted.” Ever since Grandpa Lim had committed himself to Tzu Chi, he persisted in his conviction and remained determined in following in Master Cheng Yen’s footsteps on the path of spiritual cultivation, until his last breath. A special video reel capturing footage of Grandpa Lim’s involvement in Tzu Chi’s activities was played at his wake, accompanied by a poignant Tzu Chi song about the bittersweet moments of bidding farewell to someone dear. Relatives, friends and volunteers in attendance were moved to tears watching the reel; grief over the loss of Grandpa Lim was palpable. “Thanks to Grandpa Lim, Tzu Chi Klang finally has a home to call our own. We even expanded to include a Free Clinic to benefit the underprivileged in the community, enabling them to seek medical attention free of charge eople The late Lim Kok Hua (middle) and his wife Tan Ngin Neo (left) were all smiles as they cut the cake at the 16th anniversary celebration of the Tzu Chi Klang Free Clinic, accompanied by Tzu Chi KL & Selangor CEO, Echo Chien. [Photograph by Lee Wei Kean]