The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.115).

TZU CHI 115 43 devotion to protecting lives through vegetarianism, he volunteered with the culinary team, where he learnt to prepare vegetarian meals for the public. He also introduced child- friendly vegetarian dishes to encourage the young ones to embrace a vegetarian diet. Siew Cheong and his daughters were united in their commitment to Tzu Chi and bonded over Tzu Chi’s four values of spiritual enrichment, namely contentment, gratitude, empathy and tolerance. They valued each other’s company in watching programmes on Da Ai TV and shared the joy of participating in Tzu Chi’s events together. Siew Cheong felt blessed to have the entire family immersed in Tzu Chi as he and his daughters supported each other on the Bodhisattva Path. He hoped that his daughters would pledge lasting allegiance to the Master in relieving the suffering of others with compassion, often reminding his daughters that following the Master’s teachings is the path to a fulfilling life. Benefitting others even in death In the wake of his wife’s demise from cancer, Siew Cheong had hoped for a peaceful death free from suffering. Whenever he came across reports on Da Ai TV of deceased individuals who had pledged to donate their organs or cadaver, he would inform his daughters, “I wish to be laid to rest in Hualien, Taiwan, so that my remains could be donated.” Siew Cheong recalled Master Cheng Yen’s teaching that the human body continues to serve a greater purpose in death, hence he not only contemplated donating his organs, but also offering his ashes to nature to provide the soil with nutrients. He made a pact with his daughters to donate either their organs or cadaver, cremate the remains and bury the ashes as a gift to the land. Furthermore, he advised his daughters against erecting a tombstone in his memory, for he was content with his daughters’ constant company throughout his lifetime. He would rather have his daughters stay loyal to Master Cheng Yen and Tzu Chi. In late May 2019, Siew Cheong travelled to Taiwan for a vacation. During his time there, he also underwent a health screening and engaged in volunteer work. On June 7 that same year, he was admitted to the Tzu Chi Medical Centre due to breathing difficulties and passed away peacefully the following day. Siew Cheong was ineligible for cadaver donation as he had a history of surgery, so his daughters arranged for his organs to be donated instead. His corneas were transplanted onto a visually-impaired patient who regained his vision, while his bones and ligaments were estimated to have benefitted over 100 individuals. His wish to have his ashes buried in Hualien had also been fulfilled, leaving behind a noble legacy by surrendering his physical being for the greater good. Siew Cheong’s elder daughter Yien Ngo (right) and younger daughter Imm Chon (left) relive memories of their late father at his memorial in Hualien, Taiwan. [Photograph courtesy of Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation]

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