Following the rapport built through two successful events, a group of 42 visitors comprised of Taman Jurong Zone D RC members and Taman Jurong residents toured the Tzu Chi Singapore headquarters on 19 July 2009. Caption: A Tzu Chi commissioner explaining about Tzu Chi’s missions to the residents.

The informative programme included a tea session where residents could listen to volunteers’ sharing on Tzu Chi’s missions while enjoying light refreshments. (Photo: Lai Tong Heng)

At the Jing Si Book Hut, visitors gladly shared with others the small scroll of Still Thoughts (Jing-Si Aphorisms) that they had picked up. Many of them kept the Still Thoughts as mottos for future reference. (Photo: Lai Tong Heng)

Ms. Chen Hui Qing (second from left) was one of the residents who learnt about Tzu Chi through volunteers’ door-to-door publicity.  Inspired by the Tzu Chi’s great love and spirit of giving without expecting returns, both she and her husband immediately joined as monthly donors to start helping the needy. (Photo: Lai Tong Heng)

Mr. Eric Toh, Chairman of Taman Jurong Zone D RC, was amazed by the fact that Tzu Chi’s missions actually extend all over the world. (Photo: Pua Poo Toong)

Collaboration on community service between Tzu Chi and Taman Jurong Community Club (TJCC) started around a year ago when the two organized a free health screening for the Taman Jurong neighbourhood. On 5 July this year, Tzu Chi and TJCC once again co-organized a large-scale health checkup cum environmental day which benefited more than 300 residents.   

During the collaboration, the TJCC members were impressed with Tzu Chi volunteers’ civility and demeanour throughout the events. Hoping to know more about the organization, the Taman Jurong Zone D Residents’ Committee members decided to rent a coach and invite residents for a tour to the headquarter of Tzu Chi Singapore.

The group of visitors arrived at 1pm on 19 July 2009, with Tzu Chi volunteers giving their warmest welcome at the entrance.

The group was first given an introduction of Tzu Chi’s missions and philosophy through the poster boards at the ground floor. They were later led to the third floor to the Dharma Hall. Upon entering the hall, the visitors were impressed by the mural of Buddha. They took photographs of the stately image, and gave it their own interpretation. “It shows the Buddha watching over the world,” said Mr Eric Toh, 42, Chairman of Taman Jurong Zone D RC. The Tzu Chi volunteers added that that is the spirit Master Cheng Yen hoped for all mankind – to look after and be kind to one another.

The group then headed to the educational recycling station at the car park area and later to the ambient Jing Si Book Hut. Inside the book hut, the wide array of inspirational books as well as Tzu Chi’s uniquely designed eco-friendly utensils caught the eyes of the visitors. While paying for their purchase at the counter, they noticed the Still Thoughts (Master Cheng Yen’s aphorisms) that were printed on tiny paper scrolls. Many made their “lucky draw” and gladly kept the soothing and inspirational aphorisms with them as mottos.

Throughout the tour, the visitors were full of admiration for Jing Si Hall’s zen-like building and took quite some photos. More importantly, they have gained better understanding about Tzu Chi through the videos shown and the guided tour.

“As far as I know, Tzu Chi is a Buddhist organization, but now I can see that what it has done is not so much of religious activities,” said Mr Eric Toh. “I was really surprised by the fact that Tzu Chi is able take down barriers and reaches out to people of other races. I didn’t expect that your missions actually extend all over the world. I had thought that the Foundation is active only within Asia. ” He added.

Mr Toh has been working for the grassroot organization of his neighbourhood for 13 years. The public-spirited man believes that a platform between the community and Tzu Chi has been established and he is looking forward to more collaboration in future. He told the volunteers that his residents have actually responded warmly to the tour but unfortunately they have only limited vacancies and “hopefully (they) can organize another tour very soon”.

Same as Mr Toh, many residents were also amazed by the scope of Tzu Chi’s charity missions. Mdm Chen Hui Qing, who signed up for the visit for her whole family immediately after she saw the advert on the notice board, was one of them.

The resident learnt about Tzu Chi when the volunteers knocked on her door to promote the July 5 health screening and environmental day. Despite unfamiliar with the organization, she donated some recyclables and brought her children to TJCC to find out more. Thanks to the environmental education booth in the event, her kids have since developed environmental-friendly habits such as not turning on the air conditioner unless necessary.

Touched by the video screening earlier which shows Tzu Chi volunteers giving their love and aid to people around the world without expecting returns, Mdm Chen commented, “As long as we are able to contribute to a good cause, we must do our best.” Turning her kind thoughts into action, both Mdm Chen and her husband immediately joined as Tzu Chi monthly donors to advance its charitable cause. So did several other residents.

The seeds of love sowed into Taman Jurong community are now germinating within the hearts of the residents.  As these seeds develop and flourish in future, even more people would be inspired and a closer community and more harmonious society can be anticipated.