20091202-A sad Singaporean fable.wmv

A sad Singaporean fable

Next we have two sister-stories, each about a chance encounter with Tzu Chi that changed an individual life. Later, we will see how, after being treated at a free Tzu Chi clinic, Indonesian volunteer, Zhuo Peishi(卓佩施) ended up a Tzu Chi commissioner. First, though, let us see how Tzu Chi brought peace and harmony to the life of Ke Shuiyuan(柯水源). This 61-year-old man lives in Singapore, and led a rebellious life in his youth. This led to a life of isolation and a frighteningly bad temper that drove most people away, including his father. Eventually, Ke came across Master Cheng Yen's Jing Si Aphorisms, which changed everything.

Early birds get the best pickings

Though almost everyone is still asleep, 61-year-old Ke Shuiyuan is shuttling his way through a government housing project, pushing a hand cart and looking for recyclables. This is his 10 year routine.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Ke Shuiyuan: "I am a Tzu Chi volunteer, and I know the earth needs to be rescued, when a sister volunteer asked me, "You're certified by Tzu Chi, and wearing a tie, and still picking up garbage?" I said yes, I am. She said it doesn't look good. I said no -- this is the way I do it. At most, I can take off my tie."

A kind man, a violent past

Up close, Ke Shuiyuan looks so kind and easygoing that it's hard to imagine he once felt great hate.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Ke Shuiyuan: "My mother killed herself in 1973. Then my father married my stepmother the next February. I was small, but he didn't pay me any attention. Frankly, I got really rebellious."

All for a mother's memory

Lacking a mother's love, and with little affection from his father, by the time he was 17, Ke Shuiyuan was always fighting his father; soon, he ran away in anger.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Ke Shuiyuan: "I wanted to leave, so I left."

Ke Shuiyuan's sister, Ke Fulan: "When I talked about dad and stepmom, he was cruel, saying: don't mention dad's name to me. I was really afraid he would kill himself, because he was very down. He never gave us a second thought, and stopped talking to people."

Tzu Chi volunteer, Ke Shuiyuan: "My sister tried. She got pretty tired of it all. She'd say, "Don't hate him." My father would come to my shop and stand at the door for 3 hours at a time, but I'd never go out to talk."

10 years of fury

After more than 10 years of this hot anger, Ke got curious about Tzu Chi; he paid his local offices a visit, took a magazine, and saw one of Master Cheng Yen's Jing Si Aphorisms.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Ke Shuiyuan: " "There is no one in the world I don't love; there is no one I can't forgive." If I hadn't learned this phrase, I would never have forgiven my father. Perhaps even now I couldn't forgive him."

Ke Shuiyuan let go, and turned away from his rebellion to begin following Tzu Chi: doing recycling, visitations, and giving charity.

Ke Shuiyuan's sister, Ke Fulan: "We were so happy, we cried. We didn't need to worry about him, right? Now he understands he, too, can take care of someone."

Tzu Chi volunteer, Huang Huiqing: "He was very capricious, before; he has changed. He knows he has to take responsibility for every thing he has done, and he is doing it as best he can."

Giving support to a man bereft

With volunteers at his side, encouraging him, Ke Shuiyuan is now happier and more optimistic. Yet, though the burr in his heart has been removed, it is now too late to go home to his father.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Ke Shuiyuan: "There's no way. I have never honored my father, in my whole life."

To make up for that, Ke Shuiyuan has not only moved his father's memorial tablets to his home altar; he has also wholeheartedly thrown himself into Tzu Chi, to make amends.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Ke Shuiyuan: "I never worried over my father, so now I want to use this body that my parents gave me to contribute to those families who need to be cared for."

Rediscovering love

Because of Tzu Chi, Ke Shuiyuan has rediscovered himself, and set aside his hate. From a steadfast recycler, he has already become a Tzu Chi honorary board member and a certified Tzu Cheng. Ke says he will work ever harder, to make up for his regretful past.

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Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Tzu Chi
• Singaporean