Tzu Chi Singapore Continuing Education Centre’s Graduation Ceremony of the 2nd Cohort for year 2008 was held in Jing Si Hall on 2 November 2008. It comprised an enriching exhibition of the student’s works in Cultural Hall, which drew more than two hundred guests. Amid the guests, the teachers and students spent a meaningful afternoon together, interacting with one another. Picture:Students from the lyrical sign language class presented graciously a performance of a Tzu Chi song entitled “Spread the love, be thankful to the heaven and earth and remain in the path of Bodhisattva”.

The students set up the exhibition area diligently with rich humanistic spirit.

Ng Bee Heng, a student of the Flower Arrangement class, shared that not only had she mastered the technique of flower arrangement, she has also learned much in life.

Chinese calligraphy student, Lee Chaw Eng was very grateful to Tzu Chi for the conducive environment and the dedicated volunteers, which were indeed helpful in her learning of Chinese Calligraphy.

Plain arts student, Zhang Chun Fang, felt that learning Plain Art Drawing allowed her to express her self-emotions. Once felt that the drawing was difficult, she became confident in her drawing under her teacher’s encouragements.

Yoga instructor, Liw Tiam, explained to the audiences of the demonstrations performed by her yoga students.

Chinese zither students plucked chords to play gentle melody, which depicted the beauty of humanity, immersed everyone amid the beautiful music.

On 2 November 2008, the rich humanistic ambiance at Jing Si Hall welcomes the guests as one stepped into the Cultural Hall at the first level. Long tables and screen panels were decorated with floral arrangements, Chinese calligraphy and various kinds of drawings. Further, there was a first-time exhibition of photography, coloured paintings and pressed-floral artworks. The visitors would slow down their pace and softened their conversation to appreciate these displays, which were prepared diligently by the students.

The rain did not deter more than two hundred visitors from attending this graduation ceremony. Besides interacting with the teachers and students, they also spent a peaceful afternoon in the serenity of the Dharma Hall, surrounded with the soft fragrance of flower and tea.

At the onset of ceremony, in the quiet ambience of the dharma hall, chinese tea were served by the sisters from Tea Appreciation Class to each table with their usual gentleness. Their uniform action and devotion in the tea offering touched everyone and warmed their hearts.

The rich humanistic spirit continues during the entire ceremony with performances comprised Guzheng (Chinese zither), flower arrangement, lyrical sign language and yoga by the students. The students had practiced and rehearsed diligently for their performances and have therefore demonstrated skillfulness and well-coordinated teamwork during these performances. Their performances were well-received with loud applause from the audiences.

A student from the flower arrangement class, Ng Bee Heng shared, “Besides mastering techniques in class, we also learnt about life philosophies.” During a lesson, the teacher taught her how different types of leaves can be arranged side by side with one another to portray its beauty. Bee Heng then realized that one must learn to understand and accommodate each other in fostering good relationships. She said happily that she enjoyed the lessons as she felt relaxed and is able to let go of her worries in class.  

Chinese calligraphy is an art that cannot be master in a short time. It requires frequent practices and hard efforts, which attests one’s patience and perseverance. A calligraphy student, Lee Chaw Eng, who has previous experience in Chinese calligraphy, said that she had attended Tzu Chi Calligraphy class for one year. Chaw Eng added that she was grateful for the calligraphy teacher Kee Meng Cheng’s meticulous guidance and patience. Chinese calligraphy teacher Kee’s teachings made Chaw Eng realized that her method of washing the brush in the past was inappropriate. Chaw Eng was very grateful to Tzu Chi for offering this class.  The conducive environment and the dedicated volunteers were indeed helpful in her learning of Chinese calligraphy here

Plain Arts emphasized the portrayal of one’s inner world with the aid of colours and lines, instead of the drawing techniques. Among the works by the students of Plain Art class, there is one, which is composed by colours from black, grey and dark blue. This is the work of Plain Art student, Zhang Chun Fang. Chun Fang shared that this artwork was painted at a time when she was feeling depressed and hence unknowing her emotions were shown on the colours that she used on her work.  

Chun Fang, who once felt that drawing was not easy, became confident with the teacher’s encouragements. “Drawing, in fact, is not difficult. It is not about drawing technique. Draw boldly and diligently, is the key to express your emotions. 

Mindfulness is the key to success. As the yoga students were demonstrating the posture on stage, which required high degree of flexibility, Teacher Liw Tiam, who guided them, said, “Although these postures are difficult, one will be able to do it by practicing diligently everyday.” 

With the concerted effort of the volunteers, Tzu Chi Singapore Continuing Education Centre has grown rapidly with increasing number of students annually. Besides the classes for flower arrangement, calligraphy, lyrical hand sign language, plain art, Chinese zither, photography, yoga and Taiji,  two new classes for pressed-flower art and Chinese brush painting respectively would be opened soon.

In future, Tzu Chi Continuing Education Centre would continue to introduce more variety of courses to suit people from different backgrounds. Discovering their joy and happiness while developing their personal hobbies here, life for the participants will become more meaningful.