"You are not an ordinary person; you are a blessed person. You should send well wishes to yourself." David Liu hoped that everyone would sow blessings for themselves, join Tzu Chi as members or volunteers, and sow blessings for others together.
"A recent survey showed that it costs about 1 million US dollars to retire comfortably in Singapore, while it costs 300,000 US dollars in Taiwan and 200,000 US dollars in Malaysia. Thus, if we are to retire early, do we have to retire in other countries?”
Touching on the topic of happiness pursuit, one of the audience, Dr Eugene Tang, asked about the issue of retirement financial adequacy, which is also in the minds of many people.
"We need blessings to make money, but we also need wisdom to use the money correctly. Though I retired when I was 50 years old, I have no lack of money because being a 'Tzu Chi full-time volunteer', I have no time to spend money, no time to gossip and no time to get sick."
David Liu, Deputy CEO of Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation, recounted to Dr Eugene Tang his personal experience during the Tzu Chi Happiness Talk. David Liu went further by saying that money is not everything because money cannot buy time, sleep, wisdom and happiness. And the greatest wealth in life is health, so it is necessary to choose wisely.
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon on 12 March 2023, the lecture hall of Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre was packed with nearly 500 people attending a talk titled "Tzu Chi Happiness Talk" delivered by David Liu, Deputy CEO of Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation.
Themed "Let Go and You'll Find True Happiness", David Liu shared his spiritual journey on Tzu Chi path. As he enthralled the audience with humorous exchanges and how his journey became more pleasant and relaxed, it recharged everyone’s bodies and minds.
"Singaporeans need more than a million dollars to retire comfortably; how can we retire early?" Dr Eugene Tang’s question resonated with many attending the talk.
The lecture hall of Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre is packed with nearly 500 people attending the Tzu Chi Happiness Talk. （Photo by Phang Wei Wan)
Do we really need One million US dollars for retirement? How to do so if one is in debt?
Another participant asked: "I want to do good deeds, but I still have heavy business debt. How can I contribute through Tzu Chi?"
David Liu said that the first of the six practice methods in "Six Paramita" is "offering". When David Liu ended his business in Malaysia, he donated his factory of about 5,000 square metres to Tzu Chi. But David Liu brushed aside that act; instead, he praised those enthusiastic volunteers who donate even when they do not have money. That is awe-inspiring.
"Success is measured by how many people you have helped. We need to understand karma better. If we lack blessings, it means we have given too little in the past. If we face hurdles in our business, we need to do more good and benefit more people."
David Liu replied to the audience and encouraged him to let go of his mental burden and grasp the moment to give more.
Both Fortune and Misfortune are blessings
Loh Jwee Poh, founder and CEO of Mr Bean, a popular local soymilk chain, agreed that "letting go" is a worthy attitude for everyone to learn, but he also admitted that the biggest challenge is how to let go.
Loh Jwee Poh shared his journey, from his initial focus on making money to learning to give back to society. After his business success, he slowly learned to let go of his obsession with fame and fortune. Not only is he creating a win-win situation with business partners, but he has also "let go" more profits by sharing them with employees and paying more attention to their welfare. When everyone shares the company's success, the business will be successful and resilient.
"The meaning of life lies in how we fully utilise our value and ability to do the best for our family, employees and society."
While Loh Jwee Poh is grateful for what he has, he does not forget to do more good for society and to help others. He hopes that when he leaves this world, he will leave with a clear conscience and leave the world with no regret.
Life has its ups and downs that no one can foresee. Six years ago, David Liu was admitted to the hospital because of blurred vision and a stroke of the eye but was incidentally diagnosed with severe cardiovascular blockage. The doctors at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital immediately performed an operation to place a metal stent in his artery, which saved his life. The operation went well, and he was discharged four days later.
Because of his eye, his heart was saved, keeping him alive. All is the result of good karma. David Liu was grateful that the stroke in his eyes had turned misfortune into a life-saving blessing.
He also shared that in 2014, a passenger who was supposed to take Malaysia Airlines MH370 changed his flight because he had to attend to his mother, who fell ill. The mother’s illness turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Wise Man Decides His Destiny
Before joining Tzu Chi, David Liu confessed that he liked seeking guidance from fortune-tellers, but now he has changed. He said: "Fortune telling, the more you do, the less fortune you will have! If the prediction is good, one will be elated; but if it is bad, one will be sullen. It is our mind that is distinguishing whether our life is good or bad."
He explained in plain terms that changing one's destiny starts with changing one's perspective: "When we are happy to pay back our karma, often we need to give much lesser. But when we are hesitant, we would end up paying more."
David Liu added in humour that he gave up his career because he did not want to "seek wealth and kill life" - "seek other people's wealth and harm one's own life".
David Liu shared that his wife, Ci Lu, has had three different tumours these few years, but he optimistically pointed out that "each tumour 'saved' the next". During her first cancer treatment, Ci Lu sought blessing from Master Cheng Yen, who told her being able to contribute as the CEO of Tzu Chi Selangor, Malaysia, is her best blessing. Master Cheng Yen further explained that Ci Lu has to understand life and death and believe that she could save herself. After the operation, Master Cheng Yen hoped that she could return to Malaysia to continue working in Tzu Chi.
"Only when one creates good karma for himself can one change his destiny."
David Liu lamented that some businesspersons fell ill suddenly and passed away. That misfortune should be a lesson for us, reminding us that we do not know what will happen next. So, be grateful for everything and treasure every minute of our time.
David Liu’s witty presentation invoked laughter from the audience.
David Liu's humorous way of talking captivated the audience. One of them was Liz Chen who was invited by a Tzu Chi volunteer and came with five friends. She was deeply moved by the phrase "both fortunes and misfortune are happiness", and took delight in David Liu's simple yet vivid life examples. For example, the obsession with choosing an auspicious date and fortune-telling, and how he pointed out that correct perspectives can change one’s destiny.
"Life is not always smooth sailing, but what matters most is that we do our best and have a positive attitude," said Liz Chen.
The talk on this day inspired her to constantly care for her mind and maintain a positive mindset to lead a happy life.
Liz Chen hoped that she could contribute more. In the lecture hall, she unhesitatingly scanned the QR code to donate to the earthquake victims in Turkey. Her friend, Guan Yan, signed up as a fundraising volunteer for the "Send Love to Turkiye" street fundraising to experience the joy of unshackling one’s social status as well as giving.
Yak King Chuan, the owner of the House of Planners, a notebook business, strongly agreed with the idea of using one’s wisdom to transform life. He said: "There is no good or bad destiny, thus there is no need to seek divine answer. Good or bad can only be determined by one’s mind.”
Liz Chen (second from left) attending the lecture with five friends, and she is deeply moved by David Liu’s witty and vivid life examples sharing.
After listening to the lecture, Yak King Chuan (second from right) strongly agrees with the idea of using one's own wisdom to transform life.
David Liu’s humorous sharing added glee to Tzu Chi Happiness Talk. There was much laughter and joy, and everyone enjoyed a cheerful and enriching Sunday.
"You are not an ordinary person, you have blessings, so send well wishes to yourself."
In his final speech, David Liu hoped that everyone would sow blessings for themselves, and join Tzu Chi as members or volunteers to sow more blessings together.
On that day, Tzu Chi volunteers exchanged cordial words with the audience, encouraging more people to join the ranks of volunteers. (Photo by Phang Wei Wan)
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