| Hsieh
Ching-Kuei of Tzu Chi Foundation named a national exemplary
employee in Taiwan |
 |
Translated by Amy Huang and Joe Huang
April 30, 2002
Chinese
Version
Hsieh Ching-kuei,
director of the Tzu Chi Department of Religious Affairs, was
recognized as a national exemplary employee at the Presidential
Office in Taipei. Hsieh, who has a great deal of experience
in international disaster relief, said the award surprised him.
With his volunteering spirit, he views his work as a means of
achieving his ideals.
Involvement in Tzu Chi
A graduate of the National Taiwan University
law school, Hsieh was once a successful stockbroker and esteemed
financial consultant. When he happened to hear a speech by Master
Cheng Yen, he began to search for the meaning of life. Hoping
to do compassionate deeds, he became a Tzu Chi volunteer.
After trying to get permission from his family
for five years, he eventually quit his consulting job to become
a fulltime Tzu Chi employee. At age 36, he began to fully devote
his life to Tzu Chi and fulfill his dream of "going to
the poorest corners of the world to help the people who are
most in need."
Selfless devotion to international relief
Privately known as the "Relief Prince"
to other volunteers, Hsieh has been to all five continents during
his six years of service in Tzu Chi. When tsunamis assaulted
Papua New Guinea, he personally delivered relief materials to
victims. In hurricane-plagued Central America, he warmed newborn
babies with clothes shipped from Taiwan.
During the September 1999 earthquake in Taiwan,
he remained at his post in Turkey to build Great Love houses
for Turkish earthquake victims. After the 2001 earthquake in
El Salvador, he continued to support and care for survivors
there for over two months.
Gratitude towards life
Having seen suffering in numerous lands,
Hsieh realizes that in an impermanent world, life is both fragile
and precious. People should seize every opportunity to do all
they can to help others.
With experience in countless relief missions, Hsieh has become
more mindful of his own behavior. Knowing that someone in the
world dies from hunger every 3.6 seconds, he is ever so grateful
for having a bowl of rice to eat. Having been to places where
clean water is several hours away, he cherishes the running
water from the faucet so much more.
Following the path of Great Love
Life is limited, but wisdom is infinite.
Hsieh Ching-kuei gives his blessings to all volunteers and encourages
them to walk on the path of Great Love and to act on Master
Cheng Yen's admonition: "Cherish every second, make every
step count."
Related story: Reaching
out to the dark corners of the world
