Photo by Tan Paik Hui
When the South Asian Tsunami struck on 26 December 2004, Brother David Liu was with his family in the United States. Upon receiving a call from Tzu Chi’s Department of Religious Affairs in Taiwan, the then Tzu Chi Singapore CEO readily took on the responsibility and immediately head off for Sri Lanka, one of the hardest-hit countries, to join in Tzu Chi’s relief work. This has brought about the beginning of Tzu Chi Singapore’s involvement in the Foundation’s charity and medical missions in Sri Lanka.
Grasping every chance to do good is the life philosophy of Brother Liu. The former garment entrepreneur is always setting a role model, plying between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo, and in between, utilizing whatever free time he has to pen his thoughts. He has since authored five books pertaining to his spiritual path in Tzu Chi, and his sixth creation will be rolled out of publication soon.
Master Cheng Yen’s “hand and leg”
Having joined Tzu Chi for 20 years, Brother Liu has indeed faithfully kept to his promise to be “the hand and leg of Master Cheng Yen”. Ten years ago, with the Master’s blessing, Brother Liu came to Singapore alone and began the tough journey of leading the local Tzu Chi branch in promoting its missions.
Sharing with 215 commissioners and Tzu Cheng Faith Corp. members of Tzu Chi Singapore on his departure during the Commissioners’ Enrichment Session on 15 April 2012, he recalled that when he first came to Singapore 10 years ago, there was only $50,000 in its charity fund. Each month, worrying where the funds will be coming from for the branch’s charity work was a constant agony for the management team.
The local membership has since grown to more than 20,000, and there are now more than 1000 active volunteers participating in its various local missions.
Although he felt sad to leave, Brother Liu is glad that the branch has since grown in strength with a healthy 4-in-1 volunteer structure in place, actively promoting Tzu Chi’s missions in various local communities.
Brother Liu encouraged the commissioners, especially the seniors, to readily pass on their experience and at the same time diligently cultivate themselves through acquiring Buddha’s teaching. He commented that all ordinary men has their own habitual tendencies and tend to waver in their beliefs. This will result in one not being able to resolve conflict quickly when it arises.
Although many core volunteers have assumed the responsibility of promoting Tzu Chi’s missions, how many have constantly kept to the Master’s teaching and strive to lead a more enlightened life? Brother Liu encouraged the volunteers present to follow Master Cheng Yen’s footstep closely and whilst in Tzu Chi, understand the true spirit of the Jing Si dharma lineage laid down by the Master.
A beacon for many
Many of Tzu Chi Singapore’s senior volunteers who have been with Brother Liu for the past 10 years were grateful to him for his valuable guidance over the years. During the appreciation session for the former CEO after the Commissioner Enrichment Sesssion, many volunteers were seen weeping, feeling a sense of loss at his leaving.
East Zone volunteer leader Samantha Cheung recalled that during the aftermath of the 2004 South Asian tsunami, her heart ached each time when she saw a fatigued Brother Liu returning from his visits to Sri Lanka for relief work.
Although she is a few years junior to Brother Liu, Sister Cheung has been very used to addressing Brother Liu as “Shibo” out of respect. To her, Brother Liu has always been like a father figure.
Being one of the main volunteers-in-charge for the branch’s major events, Sister Cheung was always worrying about the source of funds. However, Brother Liu would always assure her to do her best and leave the problem of fund sourcing to him. This has in fact put the minds of volunteers at ease when planning for major events.
Vice CEO, Brother Kenny Khoo has had frequent interactions with Brother Liu when he took on the responsibility of chief medical mission coordinator for the branch and organized many of the overseas medical relief missions. Brother Khoo shared on his lack of confidence and how grateful he is for Brother Liu’s encouragement and selfless guidance. He also candidly spoke of his highest telephone record of 18 calls a day to seek Brother Liu’s advice on Tzu Chi’s matter.
During the initial stage of setting up the 4-in-1 volunteer structure, Brother Liu recommended Brother Khoo to assume the leader role of Central Zone to guide and lead the Tzu Chi volunteers in his community, to which Brother Khoo rejected as he was afraid that he will not be able to juggle between his business and family since he is also the chief medical mission coordinator of the branch. Brother Liu told him then that “the value of a person’s life lies when he is being needed”. On hearing this, he finally understood and took on the additional responsibility, which sees him and his family benefiting together through the process.
For Vice CEO Sister Susi, she had gone through tough time owing to her quick temperament. In the early days, she has had the opportunity of chauffeuring Brother Liu around and hence has learnt much through the constant interactions. The most valuable of all being the advice given by Brother Liu when he told her that Tzu Chi’s mission work requires one to keep going forward and there isn’t any room to turn back. However, “one has to learn how to avoid other’s bullets when the bullets are aiming right at you”.
Gradually through the years, Sister Susi learnt that by learning how to change her mindset, things will naturally find its way to a fruitful ending.
Deep dharmic affinity
Having attended the Blissful Life Talk by Brother Liu, Sister Tham Sow Chan, who was at a low point of her life then, asked Brother Liu why is it that she has to face such distressed life and why she has no good fortune in life. With that, Brother Liu advised that it was because she has not been planting good fortune for herself in the past. Sister Tham became a volunteer thereafter and is now the leader of South 3 Zone.
“The best lesson in life is when one experiences a hard setback.” This was the wise words given by Brother Liu that Sister Tham pasted on her bedside to remind herself to brace through her hard life when faced with adversity. She was very grateful that “Brother Liu has led every one of us to grow in wisdom on this path of compassion”.
As the saying goes, “All good things will come to an end”, it is indeed a sad occasion for Brother Liu and all fellow volunteers. Towards the end of the appreciation session, Brother Liu expressed his deep gratitude for all the volunteers for their accommodation and dedication in adhering to the Master’s vow to work ‘for Buddhism and for all sentient beings’ and in promoting Tzu Chi’s missions in Singapore. Although he has been plying between Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, it is Singapore that left an indelible impression on him, being the most challenging of the three places.
As from 30 March 2012, Brother Low Swee Seh has taken over as Tzu Chi Singapore Branch’s CEO. Brother Low, a Singaporean himself, is very grateful to Brother Liu for the hard work he had put in over the past 10 years. Addressing him as the “Forever CEO” in the minds of all Singapore volunteers, Brother Low hopes that Brother Liu will visit the branch frequently to share his valuable experiences in Tzu Chi with the local Tzu Chi family.
In late December 2006, several states in southern Malaysia were hit by the country’s then worst flood over the past 100 years. Tzu Chi Singapore volunteers were mobilized to assist in the relief mission. Seen here are Brother David Liu (left) and Brother Kenny Khoo riding on a motorboat to survey the disaster areas. (Photo by Wong Twee Hee)
Brother David Liu praying with the congregation during the 2012 Year-End Blessing Ceremony at Kallang Theatre. Sitting beside him were Brother Kenny Khoo, Brother Low Swee Seh (at Brother’s Liu right), and Sister Susi (beside Brother Low). (Photo by Wong Twee Hee)
Brother Liu putting his palm together to thank his Tzu Chi family in Singapore. (Photo by Tan Paik Hui)
Several longtime volunteers who stood side by side with Brother Liu over the years stand with him during the appreciation session as the former CEO gives his thanks. From right are the current Vice CEOs of Tzu Chi Singapore, Brothers Chang Cheng Chang and Kenny Khoo, and incumbent CEO Brother Low Swee Seh. (Photo by Tan Paik Hui)
Group photo of all commissioners and Tzu Cheng Faith Corp. members with Brother David Liu and the present management committee of Tzu Chi Singapore. (Photo by Lai Tong Heng)
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