The world of Tzu Chi June 2021 (Vol.135)

2021 • 06 38 As India urgently needed international aid for its Covid-19 crisis, volunteers played a video footage to show the family how severe the situation was, and encouraged them to donate towards the cause. Tee’s eldest son, Chu Ah Heng, has six children. His family lives in a basic stilt house. Despite living a tough life, he was grateful for the monthly assistance from Tzu Chi and wished to emulate the volunteers’ kindness. He generously donated RM50 to support Tzu Chi’s relief response in India and to send his love to those who are suffering. Tee thanked the volunteers for organizing the simple, yet dignified Buddha Day Ceremony and filial piety activity for her family, which had allowed them to have a different Mother’s Day. Volunteer Yeo Yoke Lin remarked, “These indigenous people hardly have any contacts with the outside world. We hope through this Buddha bathing ritual and filial piety activity, they too will have the chance to honour the Buddha and express their gratitude to their parents.” Every day is Father’s Day and Mother’s Day By Yong Siew Lee Translated by Yi-Qin O n May 9, 2021, upon returning from the Buddha Day Ceremony at Tzu Chi Malacca, volunteer Tan Yow Jiuan arranged a simple ceremony for her aged parents at home. She plucked some flowers and tied them into a little bouquet with a few pandan leaves, for her 85-year-old mother, Neo Yau. Her mother held the flower in one hand and smiled sweetly, while her 90-year-old father, Tan Kee Siam, pressed his palms together to pay respect reverently to the Buddha. “We are old and cannot do anything now. Without her, we are hopeless! She would do house chores when she comes home, and prepare food for us before leaving home.” Kee Siam was thankful that his daughter has taken good care of them. Every morning, Yow Jiuan would prepare breakfast for her parents, give them a massage, bring them out to the sun, bathe them, get them to put money in the Bamboo Bank while praying for blessings for themselves and the world, and Neo Yau was all smiles receiving the flowers from her daughter. [Photo by Judy Ngow] pecial Feature chat with them. On the few days in a week that she has designated for Tzu Chi’s work, she would prepare snacks for her parents and ensure that everything is taken care of before leaving home. If she needs to leave home for a longer period, she would then inform her family members to help look after her parents.