Four days before Lunar New Year, the convener of Tzu Chi Singapore’s entrepreneur group, Brother Ong Wee Heng was informed that senior Tzu Chi commissioner Sister Chen Hui Li from New Jersey, USA, had passed away in Singapore on 9 Feb 2010.

Dharma brothers and sisters from Tzu Chi gathered at the funeral to piously pray for Sister Hui Li to depart serenely.

Entrepreneur volunteers Ong Wee Heng (center), Low Swee She (second from left), and Sim Hee Chew (first from left, back facing camera) were at the scene to pay respect to the late Sister Hui Li. They too invited the family of Sister Hui Li to join the ranks of Tzu Chi.

Her younger brother, who made the call, said that her wish was to be accompanied by the Dharma Brothers and Sisters from Tzu Chi in her final journey of life.

Sister Hui Li was a senior Tzu Chi commissioner from New Jersey, USA. She moved from her hometown in Penang, Malaysia to Singapore more than 20 years ago before settling down in New Jersey.

Under the spiritual guidance of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, Sister Hui Li was a committee member in her district and was actively involved with Tzu Chi activities, especially in the training and spiritual enhancement group. She had remained single and led an enriching and meaningful life there.

In early February this year, she specially came to Singapore to attend the wedding of her niece and have a reunion with her younger brother and his family. Two days after attending the wedding, she was unexpectedly hit by stroke. The Tzu Chi commissioner passed away peacefully at the age of 62, a few hours after she was admitted to the hospital.

After receiving the news on 10 Feb, Sister Karen Lim, social work officer of Tzu Chi Singapore, and fellow Dharma brothers and sisters went to the Singapore Casket to send their condolences and a Tzu Chi elegiac couplet to the family.

Sister Hui Li’s sister-in-law revealed that several days ago, Sister Hui Li had expressed to her that she wished to donate all her wealth to Tzu Chi if she passed away.

Sister Hui Li had diligently dedicated her life to the missions of Tzu Chi and continued to plant seeds of blessings, even after her demise.

On 11 Feb at around 7pm, 22 Tzu Chi brothers and sisters gathered at the funeral and together with the family of Sister Hui Li recited the name of Buddha for Sister Hui Li.

The late Tzu Chi commissioner lied in the casket with a peaceful appearance as fellow Dharma brothers and sisters reverently prayed for her departure and wished her “a quick return to be with Tzu Chi again”.

The next morning, accompanied by relatives, friends and Tzu Chi brothers and sisters, the casket was sent to Mandai Crematorium for cremation. During the farewell ceremony, the Sri Lankan Venerable who hosted the ceremony endorsed the missions of Tzu Chi and affirmed that Sister Hui Li had diligently walked on the path of the Bodhisattva in her living years.

Sister Hui Li’s brother, Mr Chen, got to know about Tzu Chi through his sister and had several times made donation to Tzu Chi Singapore in support of its events and activities. The entrepreneur was deeply grateful to the Dharma brothers and sisters for their care and concern. Over the few days, Tzu Chi’s entrepreneur group conveners Ong Wee Heng, Low Swee She and Sim Hee Chew were also at the scene to pay respect to the late Sister Hui Li.

During their conversation with Mr Chen, they invited Mr Chen to join the entrepreneur group tour to Hualien, Taiwan (the birthplace of Tzu Chi) in March. The trio assured him that the trip would give him a deeper understanding of Master Cheng Yen’s philosophy and the origin and missions of Tzu Chi. Most of all, Mr Chen could continue with the missions of his late sister and be committed to giving back to the community.