70-year-old volunteer Foo Juat Meng (centre) treats Jing Si Hall as her second home. Her presence is always there, from behind-the-scenes preparations to mealtime duties at large-scale events. (Photo by Lim Meng Khiang)
“By treating Jing Si Hall as my own home, I would naturally want to take good care of it, and I feel like coming here to contribute daily!” At 70, Foo Juat Meng could enjoy a leisurely life surrounded by children and grandchildren, yet she chooses to lead a fulfilling and busy life instead. She works part-time as a cleaner three days a week and devotes her mid-noon and weekends to volunteer service. “To do Tzu Chi work, you must be willing. Do what you're good at, that way, you’ll enjoy it.”
Jing Si Hall has become Foo Juat Meng’s second home; the blue apron is her “standard gear.” Her affinity with Tzu Chi began 16 years ago. Back then, she often spent weekends playing mahjong with her sisters-in-law. One of them, Ong Choi Fong, was a Tzu Chi volunteer and frequently shared stories of Master Cheng Yen during the games. After Foo Juat Meng’s mother-in-law passed away, she became restless and recalled the stories she had heard about Tzu Chi. That stirred a desire to become a volunteer herself.
Foo Juat Meng officially joined Tzu Chi in 2009 and pledged to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle three months later, a commitment she has upheld for 16 years. In 2012, she was certified as a Tzu Chi Commissioner and given the Dharma name Lü Liang. She previously served as a leader of the Joint Effort Team and now holds the role of Housekeeping Team committee member with the Central Region Harmony Team. She also actively participates in monthly recycling activities and charity home visits.
As a Housekeeping Team committee member with the Central Region Harmony Team, Foo Juat Meng not only works seamlessly with the Food & Beverages Team but also leads her members in managing meals, cleaning dishes, and tidying up event venues. (Photo by Bernard Ng)
Foo Juat Meng, who only received a primary school education, humbly claims she "knows nothing". When she first took on the role of leader of the Joint Effort Team, she didn’t even know how to use a mobile phone. To communicate more easily with other volunteers, she bought a new phone. As an English-educated person, texting in Chinese was a major challenge for her.
Yet, as the saying goes, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way; where there’s sincerity, there’s blessing.” Through persistent effort, she gradually learned to type on her phone and send voice messages. Her determination earned everyone’s admiration and praise. Though she often made typos, the team was always understanding, and whenever mobilising or assigning tasks, everyone cooperated fully.
Understanding: A wisdom that transcends faith
In 2024, Foo Juat Meng was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia and was urgently admitted to the hospital for a pacemaker implantation. During her month-long recovery after the procedure, she constantly thought about her responsibilities with the Housekeeping Team. She frequently sent text messages to check in and instruct her team.
Currently, Foo Juat Meng lives with her daughter, who is a Christian. She once accepted her daughter’s invitation to attend church activities. Her daughter had hoped Foo would be baptised, but Foo gently declined, saying, “My term as a Harmony Team committee member isn’t over yet.”
During Foo Juat Meng’s recovery, Tzu Chi volunteers visited her home to offer care and support. Their sincerity deeply moved her daughter, who began understanding and respecting Foo’s dedication to Tzu Chi. Since then, her daughter stopped urging her to convert and fully supports her involvement as a Tzu Chi volunteer.
“Living with my daughter and son-in-law, we must respect each other’s religious beliefs,” Foo shared. She firmly believes that a Buddha statue is simply a representation—if the Buddha lives in our heart, He is everywhere.
After her husband’s passing, Foo Juat Meng decided to move in with her daughter and willingly offered her cherished lucite Buddha statue to fellow volunteers as a gesture of shared blessings. “Seek not the Buddha afar on Vulture Peak, for Vulture Peak resides within your heart.” Smiling, she added, “Having the Buddha in one’s heart matters more than anything else.”
Letting go: A life philosophy of learning through doing
Foo Juat Meng considers it a blessing to have formed a teacher-disciple bond with Master Cheng Yen. She is deeply moved by how Master Cheng Yen guides her disciples to live self-reliantly, embracing the principle of "no work, no meal", and steadfastly refrains from holding Buddhist ceremonies.
Through watching video footage of Master Cheng Yen teaching her disciples proper Buddhist etiquette and conduct, Foo Juat Meng was profoundly touched by the Master’s example and dignified presence—an impression that has been deeply etched in her heart.
One of Foo Juat Meng's most unforgettable memories was participating in Taiwan's Global 4-in-1 Cadre Camp in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, she was personally certified as a commissioner by Master Cheng Yen. At the moment when Master pinned the commissioner badge on her, Foo Juat Meng made a quiet vow in her heart—to serve through action as an offering to her beloved teacher.
Foo Juat Meng began working in a garment factory at age 15. After the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, her company’s business was severely impacted, and she eventually left her job. Before her resignation, her weekends were devoted to Tzu Chi volunteer activities. After leaving her job, Foo Juat Meng became even more involved.
Now, she works part-time as a cleaner every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. At lunchtime, she helps out in the dining hall at Jing Si Hall, and on Wednesdays, she takes up reception duties. During her free time, she continues to offer help wherever needed.
(Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
She says the greatest reward of volunteering with Tzu Chi has been learning the art of "letting go". Since joining, she has donated her monthly savings to the cause. "Master Cheng Yen teaches us to be 'those who give with palms facing down’. When desires lessen, even life's challenges feel lighter and easier to bear," shares the kind-hearted woman, whose simplicity shines through her words: "We shouldn’t expect anything from others. Treat others well first, and kindness will return to us."
Foo Juat Meng humbly claims she "hasn’t done much" and isn’t skilled at sharing her experiences, but she’s deeply grateful for her colleagues’ support in donating to Tzu Chi’s missions.
"To volunteer joyfully, you must do what resonates with you, which is what you’re good at," she smiles.
Live and learn. Inspired by the grace and poise of the Jing Si Tea Art instructors, Foo Juat Meng once enrolled in their programme. "Tea art is harder than it looks! Beyond mastering tools, you must learn the history and origins of each tea. Though I couldn’t grasp it all, I’m thankful the sisters let me stay on to help behind the scenes."
When asked about washing cups, a trivial task others might dismiss, she grins like a child who has found a treasure: "Someone’s got to do it, right?"
Yan Su Yan, one of the tea art instructors, calls Foo Juat Meng their "indispensable backbone". Whether demonstrating tea ceremonies at Great Love Preschool, Seniors Engagement and Enabling Node, Humanistic Youth Centre, or large-scale events, Foo Juat Meng is always there to support. Without her steady presence at the backstage, the Jing Si Tea Art Team would be overwhelmed.
Foo Juat Meng (seventh from left) with the Jing Si Tea Art instructors at Jing Si Books and Cafe. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
Cultivating the soul in life's ordinary moments
Fellow Housekeeping Team volunteer Lee Siek Kee, who joined Tzu Chi in 2010, has long followed Foo Juat Meng’s example. "Sister Juat Meng works with such methodical care," she praises. "She organised the dining hall storage so meticulously, every label, every stacked container, making it effortless for volunteers on duty."
Foo Juat Meng, however, humbly deflects the credit. "This was only possible because the brothers worked together to build the shelves. Without their thoughtful design, we couldn’t have done it. Gratitude truly goes to everyone’s willingness to contribute. No one accomplishes anything alone; it takes harmony and unity."
(Photo by Bernard Ng)
She admits to moments when stress sharpens her tone, but cherishes how the team’s mutual understanding dissolves tensions like "storms giving way to clear skies". Together, they walk the Bodhi path, leaning on one another through care and encouragement.
Practising the Bodhisattva Way amid human complexities, Foo Juat Meng knows interpersonal friction is inevitable. Yet she lives by the adage: "The front foot steps forward; the back foot lets go." Dwelling on past conflicts, she believes, is pointless. She also remains mindful of impermanence: "If we don’t give while we’re able to, when impermanence happens, we’ll regret missing our chance."
Though slight in frame and weighing under 40 kg, her resolve carries decades of weight. She clings to every phrase of Master Cheng Yen’s teachings, she grasps and embodies them before speaking. "Action convinces; words alone don’t. Don’t point fingers, move your hands first."
Her blue apron in the dining hall blurs into the light as she moves. Why does she stay devoted to Tzu Chi? The answer comes unhesitatingly: "When you regard the Jing Si Hall as home, caring for it becomes natural. How can I not come daily to serve?"
Share 
