Wang Pen-ching Practices Filial Piety
(Translated by Mie-Jane Hsieh, Northern,
California)
Six months ago, Wang Pen-ching decided to
give up his studies in Australia and return to Taiwan in order
to take care of his sick father in the Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital.
Everyone compliments him on this act of filial piety.
Wang, now thirty years old, lived in Australia
for ten years. His father ran a Chinese medicine business and
encouraged him to study medicine. He studied Chinese medicine
in Hong Kong, Beijing, Korea and Australia. When his father
was hospitalized with diabetes last September, Wang quit his
studies and came back to be with his father.
Wang has loved playing piano since he was
young, and he often plays the piano in the hospital lobby for
everyone to enjoy. People were surprised when they first heard
the beautiful music, and now everyone looks forward to listening
to his concerts.
Wang is very proud of his musical talent.
He modestly mentioned that he never took any piano lessons.
He was helping out at a musical instrument store about ten years
ago. At that time a coworker played the piano beautifully, and
Wang hoped he could play too. His father disapproved of his
learning to play, but that still couldn't stop his love for
the piano.
The more his father disapproved of his learning
piano, the more the young man, then at a rebellious age, wanted
to learn. Now his performances, especially of old songs requested
by the audience, receive great applause. As soon as people hear
him starting to play, they gather in the lobby.
Talking about the future, Wang worries that
his father might be in the hospital for a long time. Fortunately
both he and his father like it here because of the Tzu Chi spirit
and the kind help of the volunteers. Even though he has not
finished his studies, he hopes he can find a job nearby so that
he can take care of his father.
