Lin Shu Ting, now in her seventies, had journeyed with Tzu Chi for over thirty years, unwavering and never once retreating. (Photo by Chan May Ching)
Recalling her affinity with Tzu Chi, Lin Shu Ting’s heart still filled with copious joy despite the passing years. One fine day in 1992, she accidentally came across a book titled Divine Eye, Wisdom Eye, Dharma Eye at a friend’s place while she went back to visit relatives in Taiwan. At that time, she had already migrated to Singapore with her husband. In that book, there was an article that introduced the story of Bamboo Bank Era, about how thirty housewives donated fifty cents daily to Bamboo Bank to support Tzu Chi. It also talked about the story of how Master Cheng Yen built a hospital.
“Perhaps the timing was just right. The stories touched me deeply. Hence, at that very moment, I made a silent commitment to help others with kindness.” Lin acted on it immediately. From that day onwards, she started learning how to be a Tzu Chi volunteer. She would save up a few dollars daily and encouraged her friends and family to cultivate daily thoughts of kindness and save money to support Master Cheng Yen’s plan to build a hospital.
Affinity truly works in wondrous ways. A few days after she returned to Singapore from Taiwan, she met a girl selling Buddhist songs cassettes during a Dharma assembly. The girl told her about a very compassionate Dharma master in Taiwan who was planning to build a hospital.
After she chatted with the girl, she suddenly realised, “There is a Tzu Chi Foundation in Singapore too!” She went on to obtain the contact number of Singapore Tzu Chi’s personnel from the girl and immediately contacted the person. That very day, Lin transferred between several buses just to reach the home of Liu Jing Lian, a Tzu Chi volunteer, on Newton Road.
As dusk deepened and the streetlights cast their soft glow, Tzu Chi appeared before her eyes like a radiant lamp. “I was the one who sought out Tzu Chi, and at the same time, I found the direction of my life,” she recalled.
Turning the impossible into possible
When a karmic affinity is deep, one need not fear a late arrival. Lin started to actively participate in Tzu Chi activities despite having known about Tzu Chi for merely three days. She participated in visiting and engaging the elderly in nursing homes, joining charity home visits, helping with aid distribution, and more.
During the end of 1992, Singapore branch of Tzu Chi Foundation followed the footstep of Taiwan Tzu Chi by preparing to launch the Children’s Class (now known as the “Parent-Child Bonding Class”). Given her shy nature, Lin initially intended to assist in the kitchen. However, due to shortage of manpower in the education team, she was entrusted with the great responsibility of leading the class.
Lin said, “Tzu Chi turned the impossible into possible. And just like that, I went from being a housewife to being on stage.” Despite having a quiet and reserved character, Lin was surprising lively and enthusiastic when leading the sign-language class. Her gentle and kind demeanour made her deeply beloved by the children, who affectionately called her “Aunty Shu Ting”.
Tzu Chi did not have its own venue in the early days. It had to borrow the venue of Pao Kwan Foh Tang to conduct its monthly Children’s Class. The person in the middle leading the sign language class was Lin Shu Ting. (Photo courtesy of Lin Shu Ting)
In 1998, Tzu Chi held its first “Jing Si Aphorisms Teaching Outcome and Reflection Sharing Camp”. Many Taiwanese Tzu Chi educators came to Singapore and conducted Jing Si Aphorisms Teaching Workshop in local schools.
“This was an unprecedented large-scale public event. Since I was in-charge of the children's programme, I was assigned as the main event coordinator, which I accepted without much thought." Lin reflected that she wasn't a natural planner, so she could only brace herself and work harder, putting in more effort and dedication than others. "Back then, we were short-handed, we did whatever was needed. During that period, we often worked late into the night, only to gather again early the next morning, yet we never uttered a word of exhaustion.”
“After the event ended, we received much feedback. I was very upset as I felt that I did not do a good job, and so I kept apologising to everyone.” She emphasised that obstacles are inevitable on the Bodhisattva Path, and while setbacks can be disheartening, she never once entertained thoughts of giving up. "Remembering how our frail yet determined Master Cheng Yen shouldered such immense responsibilities, I always felt an inner strength sustaining me. I only hope to do better the next time!"
Lin Shu Ting (second row, second from the right) was among the witnesses of the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of Singapore Jing Si Hall in 2004. (Photo courtesy of Lin Shu Ting)
Lin continued to dedicate herself fully to Tzu Chi, and when the Singapore branch was officially registered on 20th September 1993, she served as one of the witnesses to the registration. Subsequently, Tzu Chi gradually expanded its four missions in Singapore.
"In the early days, we had few volunteers, limited donations, and no dedicated venue, but we always held Master Cheng Yen in our hearts. No matter how challenging it was, we pressed on without fear. Whenever there was Tzu Chi's work to be done, I would be there without fail!" recalled Lin.
Recalling her intrepid spirit during those early years, Lin expressed deep gratitude for the countless learning opportunities Tzu Chi provided. They enabled an ordinary “Obasan” (Japanese word for 'auntie') like her to experience the full spectrum of life. From charity, education, humanistic culture and even overseas medical missions, these experiences not only broadened her horizons but also allowed her to grasp the profound value of life, ultimately helping her find her core in life and confidence.
Willing to let go of all attachments that are hard to let go
Lin once faced a life-threatening situation. At the age of 46, she suffered from uncontrollable uterine bleeding, and doctors urgently decided she needed immediate surgery. After the operation, while chatting with a nurse, Lin learned she had received six bags of blood transfusion. “I actually used six bags of someone else’s blood; I must repay this someday!” This thought took root in her heart.
In 2003, when Tzu Chi first collaborated with the Red Cross to hold a blood donation drive at Chinatown, Lin was among the volunteers. Remembering her wish to “return the blood,” she joined the line of donors. Despite having a long-term issue with low haemoglobin, she decided to give it a try. “I gave it a shot, and surprisingly, I passed the health check!” Lin was overjoyed, as if winning a jackpot, when she donated her first bag of blood.
Lin Shu Ting fulfilled her vow by successfully donating her first bag of blood. (Photo courtesy of Lin Shu Ting)
With her successful experience, Lin began planning her new life dedicated to blood donation. Although she was already 54 years old at the time, she hoped to donate blood every three months, so that before reaching the age limit of 65, she could complete fifty donations.
To meet the health requirements for each blood donation, Lin took special care of her health and diet before every donation day. “I must avoid catching colds or flu, take some iron supplements to boost my haemoglobin level, and most importantly, not travel abroad casually, so as not to miss or delay a donation opportunity,” she said.
At 65, although Lin did not reach her goal of fifty donations, she had donated blood for 34 times, fulfilling her heart’s wish. Lin remains grateful to Tzu Chi for giving her the opportunity to learn to be a Bodhisattva in the human world and she hopes to inspire more people to become kind-hearted helpers who relieve suffering and bring joy. As stated in the Sutra of Infinite Meanings, Chapter on Virtues:
"Able to let go of all that is hard to let go—wealth, spouse, children, and kingdom; within and outside the Dharma, without stinginess, giving even head, marrow, and brain to others."
Humble, Courteous, and Well-Liked
In 2005, when Tzu Chi’s volunteer system implemented the “Four-in-One” structure, Lin volunteered to serve as a Joint Effort Team leader. Except for a two-year break when she worked at the Jing Si Books & Cafe, she has steadfastly remained in this role.
“I don’t know how to use computers and am not familiar with technology; the only thing I can do is make phone calls.” In the days before convenient communication tools became common, whenever she received messages from group leaders, Lin would call or text individual members to relay the messages. She shared, “Finding someone made me happy; not finding them was frustrating. Sometimes I got rejected, but I never gave up. Volunteering with Tzu Chi is my willing choice. Being rejected or receiving attitude is also something I willingly accept. There’s no reason to be angry.”
Lin enjoys being a team leader, understanding members’ situations, and accompanying them with empathy, so that they feel secure and confident in doing Tzu Chi work. She uses phone calls to convey sincerity, seizing every opportunity to invite people to join book clubs, community outreach courses, or children’s classes. Over more than twenty years, she has invited dozens of people to become Tzu Chi volunteers, many of whom have since become certified commissioners or faith corps members.
Lin Shu Ting was certified as a Tzu Chi commissioner in 1999 and given the Dharma name Ci Xian. (Photo courtesy of Lin Shu Ting)
Volunteer Yan Su Yuan, who has known Lin for over twenty years, recalls how naïve and clueless she was when she first joined Tzu Chi. After every event, Lin would call to check in, making her feel deeply cared for. “Her sincerity and genuine attitude made us happy to see her and inspired me to continue volunteering.” Guided by the teaching to build good relationships before attaining enlightenment, Lin’s humility and friendliness have made her a role model of good character in everyone’s eyes.
Lin Shu Ting (far right) sharing her Tzu Chi journey on stage during the 2016 Year End Blessing Ceremony. (Photo by Wong Twee Hee)
Firm in Faith beyond Seventy
Over the past three years, Lin’s time for Tzu Chi activities has been limited as she cares for her husband who is experiencing cognitive decline. Yet her spirit remains strong. The daily Dharma Incense Permeation Session at Dawn session serves as her spiritual nourishment. She also keeps in touch with elderly volunteers by phone, attends Tzu Chi online courses, listens to Tzu Chi radio programmes, and volunteers at the Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool and Glow on Gallery during the day. Her days remain full and meaningful.
Looking back on 33 years, Lin admits that time has flown. In the early days, manpower was scarce; now the organisation flourishes with many young volunteers. Sometimes she feels like taking a break, but as soon as she lies down, she recalls Master Cheng Yen’s words: “There’s no time to waste, so we must act.”
Lin Shu Ting (front row, far left) visiting Taiwan in earlier years to trace her roots and meet Master Cheng Yen. (Photo courtesy of Lin Shu Ting)
Humbly, Lin says she does not know how to do great things, she can only handle small tasks, leaving big tasks to others. Her only practice is to follow, just follow Master Cheng Yen’s footsteps. Now beyond the age of 70, her resolve grows ever stronger, “I must follow Master closely, even to the last moment of life, going quickly and returning quickly, walking the Bodhisattva path of Tzu Chi, and never losing direction in this life or the next.”
Share 
