Every year, the highlight of the Year End Blessing Ceremony is receiving Master Cheng Yen’s blessing — the Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom. (Photo by Khor Kim Seng)
It's that time of the year again for the Tzu Chi family reunion! On 18 and 19 January 2025, despite the inclement weather, the Jing Si Hall in Singapore was bustling with people. Over eight sessions of the Year End Blessing Ceremony, approximately 1,600 volunteers and attendees gathered to receive the Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom, fervently praying for peace, safety and auspiciousness.
The ceremony began with a solemn Buddhism prayer from the Chapter on Virtues in the Sutra of Infinite Meanings, “At that time, the great Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas observed the seated assembly in deep meditation”. The “great seeds” (the ones who learn and master the movements before teaching the rest of the participants) on stage led volunteers into the depths of the sutras, with Buddhist prayer dharma tune filling the venue. The ambience evoked Buddha’s presence over 2,500 years ago, allowing everyone to deeply experience Buddha’s great wisdom and compassion.
Three volunteers performed the Tzu Chi song "Direction" in sign language, bringing the audience back to the present era — 2,500 years later — when Master Cheng Yen founded the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, leading Tzu Chi volunteers in humanitarian missions worldwide.
This year’s Year End Blessing Ceremony featured Buddhist prayer, with great seeds guiding volunteers through the sutras, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the time when the Buddha was alive. (Photo by Lai Tong Heng)
United by Compassion and Kindness
As the lights dimmed, the Tzu Chi 2024 Year in Review video was played, featuring Tzu Chi’s relief efforts, from major earthquakes in Japan and Taiwan, to humanitarian aid in Nepal, India, and Mozambique. The selfless love of those who help others despite being in distress, touched many hearts. The video continued with how volunteers in Singapore brought love and compassion to the community, igniting hope in the darkest corners and spreading positive energy.
"Tzu Chi’s work in disaster relief and poverty alleviation shows us the power of Buddhism!" said first-time attendee Chen Bin, who was deeply moved by the Tzu Chi Year in Review documentary.
Chen Bin, who deals with international affairs in his daily work, often feels helpless and uncertain about global tensions and hostility between nations. He expressed admiration for Master Cheng Yen and Tzu Chi’s efforts in creating a "path of joy" for humanity, saying, "Master Cheng Yen and Tzu Chi have given me hope!"
During the Candle Lighting and Prayer session, each attendee lit a lotus lamp, symbolising the illumination of their inner light and sincere prayers for blessings. (Photo by Phang Wei Wan)
Another first-time participant, Bong Hui Nee, was deeply moved by the solemn atmosphere of the hall upon entering. Reflecting on the natural disasters and human suffering in the past year, she felt grateful for living in a safe place and praised the compassion of Tzu Chi volunteers in providing love and care for underprivileged children, helping them grow up with self-reliance and gratitude.
Seeing the suffering of others made her realise her blessings, and she wants to give back. Bong Hui Nee has since signed up as a Tzu Chi volunteer, hoping to contribute to society and bring warmth to those in need.
First-time attendee Bong Hui Nee (right) is deeply moved by the solemn atmosphere of the Jing Si Hall. (Photo by Lin Chun Huey)
Carrying on the Master's Mission
Hand in hand, Tzu Chi has been deeply rooted in Singapore for 31 years, with its missions growing steadily and its team of volunteers expanding. During the Year End Blessing Ceremony, Low Swee Seh, Managing Director of Tzu Chi Merit Organization (Singapore) Ltd, along with the Unity and Harmony Team and Board Members, formed a Dharma Ship formation on stage. Together, they led the volunteers in making heartfelt vows, expressing gratitude to Master Cheng Yen for guiding them on the Bodhisattva path. They pledged to spread the Dharma and benefit all beings, ensuring that kindness continues to circulate in the world.
Low Swee Seh, who took on the responsibility of leading local Tzu Chi in 2012, has been tirelessly dedicating himself to the missions every day. He expressed deep gratitude to Master Cheng Yen, calling her his spiritual mother who transformed his life. Though over 3,000 kilometres apart, he feels spiritually connected to Master Cheng Yen, and every visit to the Jing Si Abode in Taiwan feels like returning home. Over the years, he has felt an even closer bond with her.
In his speech, Low Swee Seh mentioned that during Master Cheng Yen’s recent visit to Tainan, Taiwan, she had a slight fall, requiring her to return to Hualien for rest. He reflected on the significance of this moment: "This fall serves as a wake-up call; Master Cheng Yen is using her own life to sustain the spiritual lives of her disciples. How fortunate we are to have such a great teacher who leads by example."
Time waits for no one, and the mission to purify human hearts must accelerate. Low Swee Seh encouraged everyone to reflect on their lives, accumulate spiritual wisdom, and maximise their life’s value.
Low Swee Seh, along with the Unity and Harmony Team and board members, formed a Dharma Ship formation on stage, leading all volunteers in making vows. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
Sailing the Dharma Ship to Benefit All Beings
To perfect the Dharma Ship formation, the participants rehearsed multiple times. Initially struggling to synchronise their movements, they eventually achieved unity and coordination. Senior volunteer Keng Lim, who suffers from knee pain due to degeneration, miraculously felt no discomfort when kneeling to make his vows, reinforcing his faith, "With sincere devotion, even the impossible becomes possible!"
Chong Ah Yok, the Harmony team leader and reception coordinator, has always been in charge of reception duties at Year End Blessing Ceremony, constantly running around to assist guests. However, this year, she fully immersed herself in the Dharma Ship formation. She reflected, "I feel so blessed!"
Since 2013, Chong Ah Yok has frequently travelled to Sri Lanka to support local Tzu Chi operations and serves as the overseas coordinator for the region. She shared how Master Cheng Yen is always concerned about the Buddha’s homeland and deeply respects the long-term dedication of Tzu Chi volunteers stationed in India and Nepal, where Tzu Chi’s charity effort is flourishing.
"Sri Lanka is also a sacred place of Buddhism!" Chong Ah Yok said that distance guidance has been slow, so she vows to live in Sri Lanka for a long time to provide care, guidance and directions to the local volunteers. The Master's will is also the disciple's aspiration – Chong Ah Yok encourages herself with the belief that "great compassion is the room, gentleness and forbearance are the clothes, Dharma is the seat, and spreading goodness is the mission", and hopes that she will live her life with no regrets.
To form a “Dharma Ship” with high morality, members of the Dharma Ship formation rehearsed and practiced many times. (Photo by Lee Kwong Seng)
There was once when cycling around the world was one of the greatest aspirations of volunteer, Tee Lin Ying. She had covered half the globe and had even pushed her limits and cycled at the Arctic Circle in the Arctic Ocean in extreme weather. Both her elder sisters are commissioners of Tzu Chi Malaysia. When she told them that she hoped to have the opportunity to meet with the Master, they told her gently, "you will have to do your best then".
It was very difficult for Tee Lin Ying to give up her favourite sport but perhaps fate has arrived. When she saw how determined and resolute the teary and frail Master was, Tee Lin Ying made up her mind to complete the volunteer training, and hoped to become one of Master's first batch of disciples so that she may share the Master’s load.
To complete the training course, Tee Lin Ying put cycling on hold and actively participated in various Tzu Chi activities. She put in efforts to move forward with practical actions including listening to the Master's teachings every single day and even learning sound control which she had no knowledge of.
This year, Tee Lin Ying participated in the Year End Blessing as a trainee volunteer. When her heart was completely settled, she felt deeply that she was on the same Dharma Ship as her Tzu Chi Dharma family, and that everyone's hearts were intertwined. As she tried to keep up with the Master’s footsteps, she felt at peace and comfortable even on stormy days.
In order to complete the training course, Tee Lin Ying (middle) put cycling on hold and actively participated in various Tzu Chi activities, putting in efforts to move forward with practical actions. (Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
An affinity with Tzu Chi connected by a Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom
The most joyful and anticipated part of the Year End Blessing Ceremony is to receive a Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom which carries with it much gratitude and blessing from the Master. Febelyn, a domestic helper from the Philippines, shared happily that "It feels so good! I have three red packets in my wallet now".
Since 2016, Febelyn has participated in the Year End Blessing event organised by Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines at the invitation of a friend. Back then when she received her first Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom, she considered it a treasure. Febelyn said, "The Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom is a blessing. I place it on top of my cabinet at home and put my palms together to pray for blessings whenever I go out".
In 2020, Febelyn came to Singapore for work. Before leaving home, she placed that Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom into her wallet, hoping to carry the blessing with her everyday as she lived alone overseas.
In 2022, Febelyn, who does not go out much, accompanied her employer to the market and ran into Tzu Chi Flag Day. By taking a step forward to make a donation, her connection with Tzu Chi was rekindled. On learning that her relationship with Tzu Chi started with Year End Blessing event years ago, the volunteers subsequently helped her collect the 2022 Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom.
For three years, Febelyn has almost never taken a day off from caring for an elderly man with dementia and usually only takes walks near her employer's home. At the invitation of the volunteers, she bravely applied for leave from her employer and took public transport alone from Hougang to Jing Si Hall to attend the Year End Blessing Ceremony. Although she is in a different country now, she feels that the direction and enthusiasm of the Tzu Chi teams are the same. With this renewed connection, Febelyn cherishes her bond with Tzu Chi even more.
Febelyn (left), who has almost never taken a day off in three years, bravely applied for leave from her employer and took public transport alone to Jing Si Hall to attend the Year End Blessing Ceremony. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
The outdoor section was alive with plenty of joyful and heart-warming interactions
To attract more people to learn about Tzu Chi, the Jing Si team set up booths showcasing a wide array of products this year. The classrooms and carpark behind Jing Si Hall also featured several interactive booths including Bamboo Bank Era, story sharing over a cup of coffee, Jing Si Tea Art, Jing Si Herbal Drinks and the promotion of Jing Si Aphorisms. Surrounded by the rich aromas of coffee and tea, the visitors listened to the volunteers' sharing, experienced the power of Jing Si Aphorisms, and immersed themselves in the Tzu Chi humanistic culture.
This year's Year-End Blessing Ceremony featured several fringe activities, including story sharing over a cup of coffee and Jing Si Aphorism games, allowing everyone to reflect on the past, receive blessings, and learn more about Tzu Chi in a relaxed and interactive way. (Photo by Hong Sing Chuen)
"When I was a child, I read the Jing Si Aphorism booklet by Master Cheng Yen but did not connect with Tzu Chi. But I do remember that wherever there was a disaster, I would see a group dressed in a sky blue and white!" Choo Keng Wa, a newly retired university lecturer, was so deeply moved after participating in the Year End Blessing Ceremony on the 18th that he returned to Jing Si Hall the next day to interact with the volunteers.
At the Jing Si Journey exhibition area, Choo Keng Wa came across Jing Si Aphorisms again after so many years, and felt deeply moved. “Jing Si Aphorisms are like Dharma language, simple and easy to understand and can be practiced in life”. Choo Keng Wa obtained a copy of Jing Si Aphorisms and looked forward to taking the Tzu Chi Bodhisattva path in the future, reaping the seeds of faith that were sown ages ago.
Choo Keng Wa (left), a recently retired university lecturer, was so deeply moved after attending the Year End Blessing Ceremony on the 18th that he returned to Jing Si Hall the next day to interact with the volunteers. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
Member of the public Andrew Goh took his family of five to the Year End Blessing Ceremony. He inadvertently tried the Jing Si Soap Bar and liked it very much. "This is not an ordinary soap. Not only is it environmentally friendly, there are no additives and it is kind to skin. This is great!”
A senior volunteer, Zhang Siew Lan shared that in the past, attendees would leave after receiving their red packets at the ceremony, but now, many stayed for snacks and interactive games at the outdoor activity area where they can also learn more about Tzu Chi. It is a good example of how "the Bodhisattva path is visible everywhere."
The theme of this year's Year End Blessing Ceremony is "May we learn and attain awakening with mindfulness. May we walk the Bodhisattva Path with diligence". May everyone keep a pure heart and give selflessly. Through giving, become enlightened through learning, and by learning, strive to practise the Bodhisattva Path so that great love can spread all over the world.
Share 
