The world of Tzu Chi September 2023 (Vol.147)

08 2023 • 09 From altruism to profound realisation Report and photo by Kong Siew Yen Translated by Yi-Qin As he delved deeper into Tzu Chi’s mission, Dr. Saw Aik discovered that the essence of compassionate service extended beyond mere acts of charity. It is a journey where each act of kindness is a stepping stone towards greater spiritual growth. A t 61 years old, Dr. Saw Aik carries a gentle, scholarly demeanour with a warm and unassuming presence. Retired in 2022, he was subsequently appointed Honorary Professor with Universiti Malaya (UM), tasking him with a mission to mentor the younger generation of doctors. From his high school days, Dr. Saw was already involved in charity work. In the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, he had wanted to join Tzu Chi’s relief team to provide orthopaedic aid in Sri Lanka, but his specialty was not required then. A few months later, he learnt that patients who underwent emergency operations in tsunami- hit sites experienced high incidence of surgical site infections. Many individuals treated with trauma implants required subsequent procedures for implant removal before fractures could properly heal. This made him realise the wisdom and heedfulness of the Tzu Chi team, and he was impressed. In 2016, UM and Taiwan’s Tzu Chi University (TCU) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Silent Mentor [body donation] Programme with Dr. Saw being appointed as the programme director. This reconnected him with Tzu Chi. Through the annual Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) conventions and academic meetings with TCU in Hualien, Taiwan, he gained deeper understanding into Tzu Chi’s philosophy. “As veterans in the medical field, it is imperative for us to also nurture compassion and benevolence in doctors, in addition to imparting technical guidance to them. The Silent Mentor programme instils within students, Tzu Chi’s values of gratitude and respect, and an awareness of life’s impermanence. This has a profound impact on their mental growth. Despite not being a medical specialist, Master Cheng Yen has set an exemplary model for the medical field and this has inspired me deeply,” he said, with profound admiration and respect for the Master. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic extended lock-down allowed Dr. Saw time and opportunity to attend Tzu Chi’s volunteer training and focus his efforts on becoming Master’s disciple. Cultivating blessings and wisdom Master Cheng Yen advocates practising the Dharma in daily life, encouraging her disciples to engage with the community through compassionate actions. Dr. Saw’s innate sense of compassion has already propelled him to participate in numerous charitable missions overseas, like Indonesia and Cambodia. In April 2023, he participated in Tzu Chi’s Nepal-India project. Having devoted over a month in Bodh Gaya,