(Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Organization (Singapore) Ltd. held five sessions of the Year End Blessing Ceremony on 6 and 7 January 2024, the first weekend holiday after New Year’s Day. The Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre welcomed almost 2000 volunteers and members of the congregation over the two days. Together, everyone received the Red Packets of Blessings and Wisdom by Master Cheng Yen, expressed gratitude for the past year and looked forward to the future.
“Welcome, welcome, we welcome you!”
Volunteers lined up at the entrance to welcome congregation members with applause and a song. The annual Year End Blessing event is a time for gratitude and for volunteers to sincerely express their deepest appreciation to Tzu Chi members who have long supported Tzu Chi and have been joyfully doing good deeds.
(Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
The theme for this year’s Year End Blessing is “Let us spread the Dharma and benefit all beings through our faith, vows, and actions. Let us protect the earth by promoting a plant-based diet and doing good together”. The theme appeals to all to do good, let love circulate, and protect life by adopting a plant-based diet and living in harmony with nature. At the entrance, the Jing Si Bodhi Bell and Bodhi Drum were placed on the central stage. As the morning bell and evening drum echoed, everyone was reminded to awaken the confusion in their hearts, eliminate ignorance and return to one’s true nature.
(Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
After a year of dutifully collecting donations, many bamboo coin banks were finally brought back to Jing Si Hall. The swishing sound of the coins seemed to be telling everyone “helping others is great”. Each time a person emptied his or her bamboo coin bank, Tzu Chi volunteers would bow deeply in gratitude. Small donations can make a big difference when combined and even small money can do great good.
(Photo by Alice Toh)
The screening of the Year-in-Review 2023 video marked the commencement of the Year End Blessing Ceremony. More than 2500 years ago, the Buddha predicted that our present world would be an era of five turbidities and a time of great suffering. In the face of never-ending global natural disasters and human suffering, Tzu Chi volunteers from all over the world have been providing emergency relief, bringing the light of love to every corner of the globe and warming people’s hearts. After watching the video, everyone’s hearts were filled with tenderness and many could not contain their tears.
(Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
"I was so touched that I couldn't stop crying!" said Lin Jia Wen, the parent of a child at the Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool, after attending the annual Tzu Chi Year End Blessing Ceremony for the first time.
"The dedication of volunteers around the world is truly inspiring. When you can make a difference in the lives of others, it gives your life more meaning." Lin Jia Wen and his wife, Huang Ming Qian, immediately signed up to become Tzu Chi members, hoping to contribute to society in their way.
"I've been fortunate in life, and I should do more to help others," said Chen Yue Qin, a participant. Chen Yue Qin was active in volunteer work in school, but after getting married, she focused on her family. Now that her children have grown up, she is eager to get involved in volunteerism again.
"I was so touched by the stories of the older volunteers in the Tzu Chi Year in Review," she said. "I am very touched by how they always seize any opportunity to help others, and they never give up. I've decided that I need to do more to help others, and I don't want to waste any more time." Having said that, Chen Yue Qin immediately signed up to become a Tzu Chi volunteer.
Lin Jia Wen (right) and his family came for the Year-End Blessing Ceremony. Their child is attending Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool. (Photo by Chong Mong Zhuang)
"The preparation for the event is essential. Where can I find the wonderful lyrics?"
"They come together to report for duty and cooperate well to fill in for each other."
While preparing for the Year End Blessing Ceremony, Tzu Chi volunteers shared community information and encouraged the public to join the ranks of Tzu Chi volunteers. On the stage, the team also used rhythmic recitation to clapper accompaniment ("Shu Lai Bao") to recount the volunteers' contributions during the preparation period. The exciting and lively performance received continuous applause.
(Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
On the evening of 6 January, all volunteers at the volunteer session filmed a video expressing their determination. They pledged bravely to take on responsibility and carefully pass the baton. The ‘Nurturing Team’, which often cares for and accompanies new volunteers and congregation members, shared their thoughts onstage. The ‘Seedlings’ also expressed gratitude to the senior volunteers, filling the site with warmth and harmony.
(Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
Mr Low Swee Seh, the CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), gave a speech and reported on the progress of Tzu Chi's mission over the past year. Mr Low thanked the congregation for their support and encouraged everyone to continue doing good deeds.
The Red Packets of Blessings and Wisdom come from the proceeds of the royalties from the books of Master Cheng Yen. They are a token of blessing and gratitude to the congregation. The red packets are light in weight, but their meaning is profound. The congregation lined up to go on stage and receive this gesture of goodwill from the Singapore executive team.
(Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
The emotion continued into the exhibition area. There were also various exhibition zones at the Year End Blessing venue for the missions of charity, medicine, humanistic culture, environmental protection, and continuing learning centre. Volunteers guided the visitors to Tzu Chi’s sustainable living gallery, called the Glow On Gallery, and there were also simple health checks and fun games for visitors to experience for themselves and be reminded to take care of their physical and mental health and get to know Tzu Chi better.
(Photo by Tew Yu Rui)
（Photo by Chua Zhen Jia)
At the Yee Sang Prosperity Toss zone of the medical exhibition, some congregation members put on protective goggles, knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves that restricted their movement. They also used a cane to walk around, try to order food, and do the Prosperity Toss. They were experiencing what it felt like to be old: poor mobility, blurry vision, and stiff joints.
Congregant Koh Yong Jin successfully ordered food and did the Prosperity Toss, but when he tried to pick up a coin from the table and drop it into a bamboo tube, he was surprised to find that he couldn't do it. He said, "I tried several times but couldn't pick it up!"
Koh Yong Jin, who works in the elderly education industry, said he often comes into contact with elderly people who move slowly in his work. After experiencing it himself today, he said that he could empathise with them even more.
(Photo by Alice Toh)
The charity exhibition showcased the Seeds of Hope Programme and the stories of patients with renal diseases. A life-size replica of a public housing unit attracted the attention of the visitors, who flocked to the simulated one-room flat to experience the cramped living space of the care recipients.
(Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
Singapore is a highly developed country, but there are still people who live in poverty," said Jennifer Cendana, a 16-year-old Indonesian who has been studying in Singapore for half a year. She was very touched after visiting the simulated house.
Jennifer Cendana attended the Tzu Chi International School in Jakarta from kindergarten to high school. She also participated in charity home visits and other Tzu Chi activities in Indonesia. Jennifer Cendana said that when she went for home visits in Indonesia, some of the care recipient households she cared for lived in very simple homes, and some even slept on the streets.
When she found that Singapore society also has its dark corners, she said: "I also want to do home visits to help them!"
Jennifer Cendana (in the middle), who hails from Indonesia, was very touched after visiting the simulated house. When comparing the situation in her hometown, she felt a deep sense of empathy. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
"Spinning, let's see which Jing Si Aphorism you get."
"Wow, this is so accurate! It's exactly what I'm going through right now!"
The warm and inspiring Jing Si Aphorisms may seem simple in language, but they contain infinite wisdom and power. By spinning the wheel to draw a Jing Si Aphorism, it is hoped that these good words can become a force for good that can influence and change people's lives.
The Jing Si Aphorism that congregant Yap Yong Xun drew was 'Speak kind words, think good thoughts, do good deeds, and walk the right path'. He said this is his favourite aphorism because it can be practised in his life. Speaking kind words can bring warmth and purify people's hearts so that there will not be so many disputes among people.
(Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Hasnah, a congregant, interacted with volunteers while playing a simple game. She was invited to the Year End Blessing Ceremony today. When she opened the Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom, she resonated with the Jing Si Aphorism that reads, "With love in your heart, you will be loved by everyone."
She exclaimed, "I believe that love transcends religion and race. Love is pure. This has always been my belief."
Hasnah first learned about Tzu Chi through social media and was impressed by what she saw. One day, she met a Tzu Chi volunteer in uniform on the street. She approached the volunteer and expressed her desire to become a volunteer. Hasnah has already participated in several Tzu Chi activities. Now, she is even more determined to continue to help more people in the great love movement.
Hasnah (right) was invited to attend the Year End Blessing Ceremony today. She was inspired by the Jing Si Aphorism "With love in your heart, you will be loved by everyone" when she opened the Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom. (Photo by Lee Foo Mun)
(Photo by Lee Foo Mun)
The calligraphy teacher of Tzu Chi Continuing Learning Centre of Singapore wrote couplets on the spot to forge affinities with the visitors and to give everyone an early feel of the spring festival. The centre is currently recruiting students for its 2024 courses, hoping to invite and encourage everyone to continue learning.
(Photo by Chong Mong Zhuang)
Looking back on the past year, which was full of challenges, congregant Chen Pei Ni asked the calligraphy teacher to write her the Chinese character "稳", which means stability. She hopes she can tide through difficult times in her life with peace of mind. After watching the Tzu Chi Year in Review, she felt inspired and pondered: "The environment is changing. What kind of environment will we be living in in the future? What can I do?"
The charity footprints of Tzu Chi showcased in the video moved her deeply. Learning about the government's acknowledgement of Tzu Chi's efforts and the establishment of a dialysis centre this year also left her feeling incredibly impressed.
Chen Pei Ni (right) requested the calligraphy teacher to write her the Chinese character for "stability”. (Photo by Foo Chai Chiwn)
Over the past year, the global economy has faced a downturn, ominous signs of war have emerged, and the persistence of both natural and man-made disasters has cast a shadow over various regions. As Master Cheng Yen has said, this is a time when the forces of good and evil are engaged in a tug-of-war. It is even more important to purify people’s minds and return to the fundamental principles of being human. The Year End Blessing Ceremony hopes to inspire good thoughts and purify minds to create a more harmonious society.
（Photo by Lee Foo Mun）
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