![Reflecting on her life, Dr. Tan Hooi Chein shines with goodness and kindness, utilising her medical expertise to treat and heal patients, while finding personal fulfilment through voluntary service. [Photo by Leong Chian Yee]](/images/Articles/PPL/2023/KL20230521_lqy01_017.jpg "Reflecting on her life, Dr. Tan Hooi Chein shines with goodness and kindness, utilising her medical expertise to treat and heal patients, while finding personal fulfilment through voluntary service. [Photo by Leong Chian Yee]")
A doctor with unwavering compassion, Dr. Tan Hooi Chien not only treats illnesses and alleviates her patients’ sufferings, but also listens to the Dharma and internalises the teachings. When confronted with an unexpected illness, she faced it with calmness and continues to lead a purposeful life.
Tan Hooi Chien, who is over 70 years old, is a direct and straightforward person, widely known among Tzu Chi volunteers as Dr. Tan. With outstanding academic achievements, she successfully gained admission to her preferred institution and studied Medicine at the Taipei Medical University. Upon completion of her internship in September 1974, she returned to Malaysia. Filled with courage, akin to the Chinese saying, “A new-born calf is unafraid of the tiger,” she left Penang for Kuala Lumpur and walked into the office of the Ministry of Health Malaysia, declaring her desire to secure employment at government hospitals.
A week later, she received notification of her assignment to serve at the Penang General Hospital. Recalling the amusing experience of her job search, Dr. Tan smiled and said, “Thereafter, I was stationed in Kedah, serving in Alor Setar, Sungai Petani, and Baling, before finally being posted to Kuala Lumpur General Hospital as an Internal Medicine doctor.”
During her tenure in her hometown, Dr. Tan would occasionally offer voluntary consultations to residents at nursing homes on weekends and her days off. This compassionate act lasted for more than ten years. Later on, she established a Western Medicine free clinic in a Buddhist institution near her home. The Buddhist institution also provided its premises as a meeting venue for other Buddhist organisations, including Tzu Chi Penang, which was in the process of setting up the Penang office.
“I remember it was 1993, when I met Ci Jing (the pioneer of Tzu Chi Penang) there. She often invited me to provide house calls or home care services for those in need. This was how my connection with Tzu Chi began.”
Through her continued involvement, Dr. Tan witnessed the spirit of Great Love embodied by Tzu Chi volunteers—they gave selflessly without expecting anything in return. Subsequently, Ci Jing arranged for her to visit Hualien, Taiwan, the birthplace of Tzu Chi, to experience site visits with Master Cheng Yen (Note 1). As she was informed that the visits would deepen her understanding of Tzu Chi, she joined the trip. That took place in 1993.
◎ The great affinity and catalyst
Upon her arrival in Taiwan, Dr. Tan found no one waiting for her at the arrival hall, and she was unable to reach the volunteer designated to pick her up. Undeterred, she took it upon herself to make her way to the Tzu Chi Taipei Liaison Office. Clad in simple casual attire, she joined the many uniformed volunteers, both from local and abroad, as they embarked on their visits alongside the Master.
“In those days, there were not many volunteers, and I was filled with immense joy at the opportunity to be in close proximity to Master Cheng Yen,” Dr. Tan reminisced. What came to her mind upon seeing the Master was: “This person, who has inspired volunteers all over the world to devote themselves to charitable work, is definitely no ordinary monastic!” Silently, she made a vow, “Because of Master, I will never leave Tzu Chi.”
After returning to Malaysia, Dr. Tan continued to serve using her professional skills while maintaining her monthly donations to Tzu Chi. Whenever Ci Jing invited her for a house call, she readily cooperated, putting into action the inspirations she gained from her trip to Taiwan. Despite a busier life, she felt a newfound sense of calmness. This dedication persisted until 1995 when she was posted to Kuala Lumpur General Hospital.
With Tzu Chi always on her mind, she reached out to volunteers in Kuala Lumpur and reconnected with Tzu Chi. Since then, she participated in countless outreach programmes. Besides the local free clinics, she also served in the rural areas in East Malaysia, Cambodia, and other countries. For major disasters like the Indian Ocean tsunami and typhoons in the Philippines, she joined Tzu Chi volunteers from various countries to provide assistance in the affected areas. Furthermore, she undertook medical outreach missions with Mercy Malaysia to Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan.
“I was ridiculed by some for taking time off work and covering my own expenses for these endeavours that seemed unbeneficial to me. However, I persisted with a simple-minded faith that wherever there is a need, I shall be there.” She gathered the strength of community volunteers to initiate the establishments of Tzu-Chi Free Clinic in Klang and Pudu, and led members of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to contribute collectively. With a chuckle, she added, “To put it bluntly, it is just my busybody nature!”
◎ The Dharma and unwavering aspiration
Dr. Tan attends the Master’s Dharma talks at dawn, which is broadcasted live and actively promoted by Tzu Chi Chapters worldwide, as her daily lessons. She shared, “It was through Master’s explanations that I came to understand the truth of the universe, including where we come from, where we are going, and the purpose and meaning of our existence in this world.”
She added, “As long as we understand the scriptures with our hearts and apply them in our daily lives, we can transform our habits, grow our wisdom, and most importantly, understand Master’s vision and stay true to our initial aspirations.”
Dr. Tan recounted that she faced numerous challenges when she transitioned from the medical team to the role of a cadre member responsible for volunteer nurturing and training. “In Tzu Chi, volunteers undergo a structured training before they are commissioned. My duties involved providing guidance to the volunteers, including helping them understand the significance of collecting donations and inspiring kindness. We have to foster sincerity, integrity, and a solid foundation of Tzu Chi’s values and principles, to cultivate talents for the organisation.”
With her candid nature, Dr. Tan fearlessly spoke her mind, often causing friction with other cadre members during the recommendation of volunteer progression. She was grateful that with the guidance of the Dharma, she learned to set aside personal views and approach situations from the perspectives of others, making necessary adjustments for the harmonious and successful execution of tasks.
To-date, a philanthropic Dr. Tan has fulfilled a total of four Tzu Chi Honorary Board memberships (Note 2). Reflecting on her life, she shines with goodness and kindness, utilising her medical expertise to treat and heal patients, while finding personal fulfilment through voluntary service. She said, “Through my years of medical practice, I have learned to be humble and patient. During consultations, I do not only prescribe medications, but also share with patients the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle. This is a holistic approach where we not only treat illnesses, but also cure people.”
She recalled, “I once treated a paralysed girl in a remote suburb. Due to transportation challenges, it was unlikely for our team to make regular house calls. Hence, we developed a set of rehabilitation routines that she could perform herself to help speed up her recovery.” This experience reminded her of the Master’s teaching, “When the unfortunate cannot find help, those who are blessed must go to them.” It also reinforced her wish to be a doctor again in her next life.
◎ The constant in the face of impermanence
Dr. Tan considered herself lucky, having had a smooth academic and professional journey. However, she came face to face with impermanence in late November 2022 when she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. With composure, she reflected on the four stages of life—birth, aging, illness, and death—and said that the deterioration of physiological functions naturally leads to the third stage; this is a natural law that everyone must face, and there is nothing to fear.
“When suffering from illnesses, it is important to apply the Dharma we have learned. Entrust our bodies to the doctors and our hearts to Bodhisattvas,” shared Dr. Tan calmly, never indulging in self-pity or complaints. Instead, she learned to coexist peacefully with the disease.
From lacking clarity in life to embarking on a journey of self-discovery, Dr. Tan has steadfastly dedicated more than half of her life to doing good with a clear purpose. As for her spiritual path, she continues to make progress in two aspects: fulfilling her duties and giving selflessly without expecting anything in return.
“Studying medicine has given me abundant opportunities to serve people. If I have the chance to be a doctor again in my next life, I hope to surpass my accomplishments in this life!” Her strong determination shines through her gentle words.
In the face of impermanence, we need more than medical intervention to overcome the challenge and be at ease. In Dr. Tan’s case, she faces her illness with equanimity. Despite experiencing physical discomfort from chemotherapy, her unwavering aspiration remains—to wisely let go of worldly possessions, which cannot be taken along when we depart from this world, and instead, practise generosity and extend help to those in need.
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Note 1: Back then, Master Cheng Yen would make monthly trips to visit various locations. Apart from visiting the poor, she also gave lectures to the public and commissioners, to deepen everyone’s understanding of Tzu Chi. These interactions helped foster unity, while also providing opportunities for everyone to learn from Master’s teachings and examples.
Note 2: Tzu Chi Honorary Board Member started off as a title given to a group of compassionate individuals who made contributions of NT$1 million or more to the building fund of the Tzu Chi Hospital, as a token of gratitude. Many of these donors were ordinary people who supported the cause with a pure intention to help others using their hard-earned savings.
