Time flies, once again we gathered at Hualien for the 2008 annual TIMA convection. On 12 Sep 2008, 26 members from TIMA Singapore chapter, together with another 17 countries, gathered at Hualien Jing Si Hall to celebration the 10th anniversary of TIMA as well as the Mid-Autumn Festival. Picture:On 12 Sep, more than 300 TIMA members from 18 countries gather at Hualien Jing Si Hall to celebrate the 10th anniversary of TIMA.

Dr Ong Chin Kian (2nd from right) is the representative TIMA Singapore in the convention. At the end of the convention, all representatives gathered on stage and waved their respective country flags inside the solemn Jing Si Hall.

Three medical students from Sri Lanka attending the TIMA convention.

Dr Ng Yee Kong from the department of Anatomy of National University of Singapore (1st from right) participate in the anatomy class undertaken by the College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University. The respect and gratitude shown to the Silent Mentors gave Dr Ng a lasting impression and he hoped to share this experience back in Singapore.

The resident nuns from Jing Si Abode with doctors and staffs, using the deepest gratitude, sent off the Silent Mentors in the rain.

Time flies, once again we gathered at Hualien for the 2008 Tzu-Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) convection. From the first medical relief in 1972 to the official adoption of TIMA as the name of our association in 1998, we have come a long way. Since the first TIMA convention in 2000, it has become a tradition to invite overseas TIMA members to return to Hualien during the Mid-Autumn Festival, using the opportunity for medical discussion, interaction and the exchange of relief experience.

Promoting health and spreading love
On 12 Sep 2008, 26 members from TIMA Singapore chapter, together with another 17 countries, gathered at Hualien Jing Si Hall to celebration the 10th anniversary of TIMA as well as the Mid-Autumn Festival.

This year’s convention topic is “Promoting Health and Spreading Love”. We first have an overview, bringing us back to the various medical cases we cared and saved over the past 10 years. Dedy from Indonesia, Madushi and Mithushi from Sri Lanka as well as many others flashed over the screen, once again reminding us of their perseverance to seek medical treatment to rid them of sufferings. They are fortunate to have the love of TIMA doctors and the compassion of Tzu Chi volunteers along the way, thus able to change their lives and move forward for a bright future.

We need to treat the roots of an illness in order to fully recover. Similarly, the mind is the roots of sufferings, hence rendering serious attention. The convention invited doctors from the Tzu Chi General Hospitals to share with us their firsthand experience in promoting environmental conservation in the medical arena. Dr Jian Sho-Shin, Vice Superintendent of Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital promotes “taking the stairs for a healthy body as well as reducing our carbon footprint” while Dr Li Yi from Hualien General Tzu Chi Hospital reminds everybody that if we win the battle of material desires, we can prevent the crisis of global warming. At the same time, global TIMA convener Dr Lin Chin-Lon, who is also the Superintendent of Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, encourages everybody to go vegetarian since it is the best action for combating environmental crisis as well as the best treatment for our body and soul.  

Education that values the importance of life
There are three medical students from Sri Lanka that travel with the TIMA Singapore chapter during this convention. Although they cannot get use to the Chinese food, they enjoyed themselves throughout the entire convention.

Priyantha is delighted and felt blessed for the chance to attend the convection, giving him the opportunity to understand the charity and medicine missions of Tzu Chi. He hopes that in the future, Sri Lanka will have its own TIMA chapter to encourage more doctors from his own country to come out and serve their fellow countrymen in need.

This is Dr Ng Yee Kong’s first attendance of the TIMA convention. The Associate Professor of the department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National University of Singapore took the occasion to participate in the operation simulation training course undertaken by the College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University.  The respect and gratitude shown to the Silent Mentors (body donor) gave Dr Ng a lasting impression. “Tzu Chi’s education which centered on respecting life is presently lacking in Singapore and I hope that there is a day where I can introduce this essence of Tzu Chi medical humanity to Singapore and educate our students to respect lives and to value our patients”.

Be mindful and take up the challenges
Although Dr Ong Chin Kian is a Christian, he agrees with Tzu Chi’s ideals and has been an active member of TIMA for many years. Two years ago, Dr Ng started participating in Tzu Chi activities, making Home Visit, performing in the musical sign language performance of the “Sutra of Innumerable Meanings" and taking up the role of an education volunteer in our Continuing Education Centre. During this return trip to Hualien, Dr Ong has to present the annual report of TIMA Singapore and take part in the sign language performance at the same time. It is no wonder that he commented that there is indeed some pressure.

After the completion of the various tasks at hand, Dr Ong realized that as long as he kept in mind what need to be done, the difficulties he faced can be overcome. Dr Ong even shares this experience with members of TIMA Singapore and encourages everybody to take up the challenges, identifying deeply with Master Cheng Yen’s Jing Si Aphorism that “Everyone has unlimited potentials”. 

Dr Ong is also the Singapore representative for the TIMA convention. At the end of the convention, all representatives gathered on stage inside the solemn Jing Si Hall and waved their respective country flag, singing and praying for peace and harmony on earth as well as a world filled with love and concern.   

In addition to praying sincerely for peace and harmony on earth, we hope that everyone attending the TIMA convention can bring back with them the spirit of “love and concern” to their home country and share this spirit with all, working together to bring relief to anybody who need it.