“Shi bo [a senior brother in Dharma], hang in there!”
“Shi bo, the Documenting Team awaits your return…”
Hearing these words from fellow volunteers, Low Choon Hui, who was seriously ill and too weak to speak, expressed his gratitude through gestures, holding on tightly to the visitors’ hands and embracing them while receiving their well wishes.
Choon Hui was born in 1949 in Guangdong, China. In 1957, he followed his grandmother and mother to Muar to reunite with his father, who migrated to Malaysia earlier in search of a livelihood. In 1960, he was enrolled in Muar Chung Hwa High School. However, due to challenging circumstances, he had to withdraw from school and become an apprentice carpenter to help support his family financially. In 1967, his parents passed away from illnesses one after another, leaving him with the responsibility of caring for his elderly grandmother and two younger sisters.
Choon Hui married his wife, Tang Siang Kew, in 1985. They have two daughters and a son. Despite their financial stability, the family faced tremendous challenges due to their son’s multiple disorders, including autism, spasms, and intellectual impairment. After nearly 20 years of seeking medical treatment without success, they made the difficult decision to place their son in a nursing institution in 2007.
◎ A teacher, a father figure, a diligent volunteer
Despite being a man of few words, Choon Hui devoted himself wholeheartedly to Tzu Chi’s missions and formed positive affinities with many people.
As the team leader of the Documenting Team, he had always been a hands-on person who led by example. He was always meticulous and focused in photographing, and was often seen climbing high or crouching low just to capture a single shot, all in the pursuit of preserving the historical moments of Tzu Chi and documenting the compassionate efforts of the volunteers. His wife witnessed his unwavering passion for photography, but what she admired most about him was his steadfast commitment to maintaining a vegetarian diet and consistently depositing donations into the bamboo bank, even when he fell ill.
Over the past decade, Choon Hui also fully cooperated with the Great Love Mothers, who visit schools to impart wholesome values to the students. Come rain or shine, from Sunday to Thursday, he could be seen alongside the Great Love Mothers, visiting nine different schools and capturing precious moments of their morning activities with the students. He also frequently accompanied his wife on home visits, and offered rides to care recipients whenever they attended activities. He listened attentively, cared for them with love, and captured numerous precious moments through his photography, appreciating the blessing of being able to help others.
In addition, he also dedicated his afternoons to recycling activities, making the most of his limited time to care for the Earth. His role primarily involved assisting in the dismantling and categorisation of discarded electrical appliances. Reflecting on his daily contributions, fellow volunteer Chua Jee Moi commented, “He truly prioritised environmental protection, cared for the Earth, and gave without expecting anything in return.”
His selfless commitment, devoid of competition or worldly pursuits, resembled plain water with no extravagant taste. Nevertheless, it was this simplicity that brought him a sense of contentment and fulfilment in life.
In 2011, Choon Hui participated in the musical adaptation of the Sutra of Infinite Meanings. He was profoundly moved by the verses: “They give what is hard to give – their wealth, family, power, and status. There is nothing they cannot give, even giving their eyes, marrow, and other parts of their body.” These verses resurfaced in this mind when he became seriously ill. Hence, together with his wife and son, they signed the pledge form for body donation as Silent Mentors.
“I would rather they make thousands of wrong cuts on my corpse than make a single wrong incision on a patient.” Such a noble aspiration could only be realised through a profound understanding of its significance.
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On April 23, 2023, Choon Hui passed away peacefully amidst the chanting of Buddha’s name. While we have no control over the length of our life, we can strive to enrich its depth and breadth, just as how Choon Hui did through his journey with Tzu Chi.
