His gentle nature and her sweet smile bring warmth to those who see them. From a distance, they seem like ordinary volunteers. But upon close inspection, one senses extraordinary warmth and sincerity in their relationship and in their devotion to Tzu Chi. While simplicity permeates their lives, strength and love bolster their commitment.

Lin Chi Ching and Lien Tzu Hsiu are a husband and wife who have devoted themselves to the Tzu Chi Foundation for more than a decade. Wife Lien, 62, is currently head of the Yungho Tzu Chi district in northern Taiwan. Husband Lin, 66, helps wherever he is needed and supports his wife with her duties. Since their marriage more than 40 years ago, their lifestyle and relationship have evolved alongside their devotion to Tzu Chi.

Hands and feet

In 1993, Lin encountered a near-death experience when he suddenly had a heart attack. Lien recalls that they were already on their way to the hospital when Lin had the heart attack in the car. When they arrived, he was rushed to the emergency room and given electric shocks. After the second shock, his heartbeat revived. Fortunately he survived, but the doctor told Lien it would be hard to predict how long he would remain conscious because his brain had been deprived of oxygen for a critical period of time. He had to remain in intensive care until he fully recovered.

When the incident happened, Lien reported to Master Cheng Yen and asked her what to do. The Master replied that all Lien could do was pray for full recovery. When her husband did recover, she realized how fortunate she was and how blessed Lin was to pull through under such precarious conditions. While recalling this, Lien reveals a deep connection with her husband, showing the unity of such couples who are bound together physically, mentally, and spiritually. "I asked the Master, 'Without him, how could I live? He is my hands and feet.'" The Master said that Lien needed to open her heart, to let go, and to allow others' blessings to reach her. To this day, though, Lien still has difficulty following through because she doesn't know what she would do without her husband, who could unexpectedly leave her at any time. In this possibility, they surely feel the impermanence of life.

During his recovery, Lin had to transfer to another hospital since no more beds were available at the hospital they checked into. Luckily, the couple managed to find another hospital nearby in Taipei. Lien realized from their search that if hospitals in the cities had shortage problems, the countryside would have an even greater scarcity of medical care. Because of this, she told her son that she wanted to donate money for the establishment of more medical schools and hospitals to help alleviate such problems. Two days later, her son unexpectedly wrote a check for a massive amount of money--ten million NT dollars (then US$250,000)--to present to Master Cheng Yen!

Seven lives?

Lin and Lien met through their families, who lived near each other at the time. They had become acquainted through chance meetings. Lin was eventually chosen by his family to select and marry a daughter from the Lien family. Lin chose Lien, whom he had fancied. In 1961, when both were in their early twenties, they were married.

Lin and Lien's relationship blossomed and developed from young love to stable, enduring commitment. "At the time, I even said we would be together for the next seven lives," reveals Lien.

The couple's caring relationship can be seen in the little things they do for each other. Ever since their marriage, Lin has served a cup of milk to his wife every morning. Sister Chang, a Tzu Chi commissioner and friend, recalls, "Even when Brother Lin was sick, he proceeded to serve a cup of milk to Sister Lien the very morning he was discharged from the hospital. His son saw this and asked, 'Dad, do you really need to do that? After all, you just came back from the hospital!' Brother Lin replied, "It's okay. I'm already used to it."

Since Lien is often busy, Lin makes sure that she gets enough to drink, reminds her to eat, and even serves her fruit when she is immersed in her duties. Lien lovingly recalls, "One time at home, I was doing paperwork at my desk. Suddenly, my husband appeared with a tray of fruit, holding it as if he were making an offering to me. I was so touched by his loving gesture that I couldn't help but call him 'my bodhisattva!'"

Meanwhile, Lien serves as an inspiring force in Lin's life through her dynamic involvement with Tzu Chi. She relates and shares her experiences with him while he helps her and, in turn, becomes more involved with greater aspects of Tzu Chi. Together, husband and wife make a great team.

Sister Chang portrays this in the following account. "It just so happened that several people could not attend an event that Sister Lien had arranged. She was worried and started to wonder why so many commissioners weren't showing up. Brother Lin comforted her, assuring her with more optimistic reasons for the low turnout. From watching them, I could see how whenever one was worried or distressed, the other would be there to comfort and nurture. They really complement each other."

Both are natural and open towards each other. Although their relationship abounds with love, it also entails the conflicts that couples inevitably face. Lin humorously revealed, "One time we didn't talk to each other for a week." This seems rather hard to believe, coming from a soft, mild-natured man married to a congenial, charming wife.

It is interesting to note the social and power dynamics of this husband-wife relationship. Contrary to stereotyped images, Lin and Lien pair in opposite positions at work and home. Lien holds a leading position in Tzu Chi while Lin assists and helps her behind the scenes. At home, while Lien is often busy with her work for Tzu Chi, Lin sees to it that she has enough to drink and eat and makes sure that she is cared for. In their relationship and in social situations, Lien is more apt to assert herself and to express her needs while Lin listens, remains easygoing, and mediates whenever conflicts arise. Their personalities seem to contribute to these differences as well--Lien is more outgoing, assertive, and ambitious, while Lin is more introverted, mild, and carefree.

Slow, but not still

The couple's first contact with Tzu Chi happened when they were living in the United States. In 1983, Lien received a phone call from a friend in Taiwan telling her about a nun who wanted to build a hospital. When they heard about this, they admired the nun's noble intentions. So they notified their son and his uncle in Taiwan to donate money to the nun. Little did they know that before long, the nun they had helped, Master Cheng Yen, would certify them as commissioners of the Tzu Chi Foundation.

In 1988, the couple returned to Taiwan. Near the end of the year, a friend of Lien's called to invite her to join in volunteer work for Tzu Chi. She agreed and left for Hualien to help with the distribution of relief goods to needy families. Everything she saw touched her. Soon afterwards, not only did she join Tzu Chi, but she decided to become a commissioner as well.

When Lien returned to Taipei, she told her husband about her experience at Tzu Chi and asked him if he would write a check for her to donate. Since he wasn't familiar with the foundation yet, he decided to go to Hualien with her to check it out.

Although Lin was a bit hesitant at first, he was impressed when he visited Tzu Chi headquarters and learned about the work the foundation had done. So he wrote a check for a large sum of money on the spot--NT$300,000 (then US$7,500). He even knelt down in front of Master Cheng Yen to present the check to her. Influenced by these events and his wife's fervor, Lin joined up just four days after his wife and also became a commissioner.

The husband and wife commissioners explain, "Like those who have joined Tzu Chi say, we're not afraid of being slow, but of standing still." Even though Lin and Lien joined Tzu Chi late in their lives, they are glad they did. They would rather have been slow in joining than have not done anything at all.

A surprising appointment

In 1991, the couple returned to the United States to establish the first Tzu Chi office in Houston, Texas. That same year, the couple decided to retire early from business in order to devote themselves completely to Tzu Chi. Two or three months after the Houston office opened, they returned to Taiwan.

In 1992, Lien received an unexpected appointment. The former Yungho district head wanted to turn over her position to someone younger who had the time and devotion. Lien was recommended even though she had only been with the foundation for three years. When called upon at the meeting, an astonished Lien responded by hesitating in fear. But Master Cheng Yen, who presided over the meeting, decided to appoint her anyway.

Lien pleaded with the Master for another assignment, but the Master encouraged her to stick with her appointment. The Master foretold that her position would be for two people. One person would make two--her husband would support her and help her do the job even better. Indeed, with Lin by her side, Lien has been doing a good job as Yungho district head.

Lien is responsible for conducting meetings and managing 25 different teams that are responsible for various functions. She explains that a district head has to be attentive and dedicate a lot of her time. Nurturing a cooperative spirit is also necessary to lead and get along well with people.

Lien believes that hard work can fill in for one's shortcomings when it comes to work and life. "Even if someone is capable but doesn't have the time, nothing can be done. Yet if someone is not as capable but still works hard, things can still get done." This has been her motto. To overcome her initial fears, Lien persisted through diligence and hard work to fulfill her duties. Although she does not describe what she went through, her character and work ethic can be vouched for by those who have worked with her, including long-time friends and recent acquaintances.

Chang Yen-han, an old friend of Lien's, remembers, "Back then, we worked in the same Tzu Chi group. The other volunteers and I thought that we were pretty serious in our work, but then we noticed that Sister Lien was even more serious and applied herself even more than we did."

Sister Shu, an old acquaintance, explains, "Every day she's busy until late at night, often past midnight. Her husband is concerned that her body might not be able to handle it, but she still does her duties without taking any breaks. Everywhere she goes, she talks about Tzu Chi. Sometimes I invite her to my house to relax and chat, but even then she still talks about Tzu Chi."

"She emanates an inner beauty that shows forth in the way she carries herself," Sister Chang adds. "She is a really good person: she has good character, is truly devoted to her work, and inspires others to do better."

Another volunteer, also called Sister Chang, became acquainted with Lien in the past three years. She comments, "I'd heard and seen this sister who was always busy with volunteer work. Then someone told me that she was the district head. I was impressed because she was just like the rest of the volunteers, doing all kinds of work. The district head is really courteous. She expresses herself very softly and is always smiling. What moves me even more is that she donated this place for our Tzu Chi office."

As Sister Chang noted, Lin and Lien gave their property for the Tzu Chi liaison office in Yungho. It was a generous and beneficial act that has helped accommodate the increasing number of members in Yungho over the years.

Although Lien is frequently in the spotlight, someone is always assisting her behind the scenes. Her husband plays a crucial role through his help, support, and constant encouragement. If it weren't for his driving, Lien wouldn't even be able to get around.

"Every time, Brother Lin always offers to drive us," explains Sister Li, another commissioner. "He'll even go out of his way to help. One time, he assisted a volunteer who agreed to ride in his car only if he were going in the same direction as her. When the volunteer got out of the car, she realized Brother Lin had willingly gone out of his way to drive her because he was heading back in the opposite direction. Actually, Brother Lin's health is not very good, but wherever Sister Lien goes, he always drives her."

Although Lin helps Lien with her duties, he is also involved with recycling work. Sister Chang remarks, "Brother Lin said that he and his wife throw out one bag of trash every 20 days. I thought to myself that in our house, we throw out a bag of trash every day! How is that possible? I was really amazed."

Even relatives share similar views about the couple. Another volunteer who is related to Lin said this about Lin and his wife: "Brother Lin is really humble. He does what others won't do, and he's capable of doing what others aren't capable of. When we go to an event, he'll do things such as clean the restrooms even though we don't notice many of these small things. He is a model for all of us."

Changes

From their continuing involvement with Tzu Chi, the husband and wife commissioners have learned much and been influenced by many positive factors contributing to lifestyle changes, personal growth, and relational developments.

One of the biggest changes in their lives is how they spend their money. Sister Shu recounts, "Brother Lin even replaces the worn-out collars on old shirts instead of buying new ones to save clothing and money. He sees no need to throw away an old shirt just to replace a worn-out collar." She continues, "Whenever Sister Lien's birthday comes around, he donates a huge sum of money to Tzu Chi. He's able to do this every year because he saves so much money."

Lin and Lien have visited and helped many needy families through Tzu Chi case visits. From doing such visits, they poignantly feel each time that they can use their money in more meaningful ways. Thinking of the poor people they visit prevents them from spending money on lavish personal expenses such as traveling, buying material goods, eating good food, and so forth. They even decided to sell their house in the United States so that the money could be used towards the Tzu Chi missions. They have greatly simplified their lives by cutting down on their personal needs, spending less on themselves and ultimately giving more to others.

Lin always loved to travel, but he decided to give it up because he felt the money could be better spent on helping people. Other leisure activities were given up as well. He recalls, for example, that one time a relative invited him to play golf, which cost around NT$4,000 (then US$100). He decided to decline the invitation because he thought of all the poor people whom he could help by using the money to better their lives.

In the past, Lin often had difficulties getting along with people. He didn't like to talk and he wasn't very good at explaining himself. He felt uncomfortable socializing with others and he wasn't very good at initiating conversations. He recalls an event demonstrating his social awkwardness when he ran a stationery store back in Taiwan.

"A customer came in to exchange some colored paper that had been stained by rain. I let the customer exchange it, but then I felt so uncomfortable that I told him if he wanted to exchange it, he shouldn't have let the rain stain the paper in the first place. The customer was so angry at what I said that he stopped coming to buy things from me."

At that time, Lin felt he hadn't done anything wrong. Now that he has been influenced by Master Cheng Yen's teachings, though, he realizes he shouldn't have said that because it only provoked anger and caused strife between him and his customer.

Lin's life is now filled with peace of mind and stability. Before he became involved with Tzu Chi, he felt unsettled and lacked a strong sense of direction in life. Part of the reason why he and his wife moved to the United States was because they felt discontented living in Taiwan. In America, Lin had friends who had succeeded in business. He would constantly compare himself to them in his attempts to succeed and attain material wealth. Nowadays, he is more than willing to give up many things because he is content with his life. "Unlike my friends who drive Benzes, I don't need any of that now because I'm happy with my life."

Now Lin devotes his life to working for Tzu Chi. Chang Yen-han says, "From many events, we can see the depth of Brother Lin's cultivation. After the China Airlines crash in Taiwan, Tzu Chi volunteers went to help at a funeral ceremony held for the victims' families. Afterwards, while everyone was resting, Brother Lin went around picking up trash from the ground. He picked up even the smallest things such as straws, wrappers, and crumpled-up tissues."

Lin believes that he can accomplish whatever he puts his heart to, that he can overcome many challenges. He is less afraid of dying and values the preciousness of his life even more now. His near-death experience helped him to confront his fear and to deal with death more appropriately. Before his heart attack, Lin knew he was a sensitive person easily affected by illness and physical pain. He often felt fear whenever he thought of death or felt his body giving way to uncontrollable forces during periods of illness or physical weakness. But now he is able to live in the moment and think less about death. He says that when the time comes, it comes; all he can do is accept it. Furthermore, he no longer clings to his fragile body. Lin remarked that he had signed an agreement to donate his body and organs after his death to the Tzu Chi Hospital in Hualien. He said with a smile, "I feel as if a great burden has been lifted off my shoulders."

Every day is now busy but meaningful for Lien. In the past, she liked to beautify herself and indulge her vanity. Nowadays, she uses that time to help others and to devote herself to more meaningful things. She no longer spends time mindlessly thinking about conflicts with people or making presumptions about others; she doesn't have the time to do so.

Lien has learned much about responsibility and tolerance. She explains that one needs to know how to be responsible in dealing with others and to tolerate them in order to get along well and to deal appropriately with situations. She gives the following example: One time, at a meeting, a certain female commissioner was late. Since Lien needed to start the meeting, she decided to assign that commissioner's task to another commissioner. When the late commissioner arrived, she was so angry at having her task handed over that she tore up her meeting papers right in front of Lien and everyone present. It was so rude and embarrassing because no one had ever shown such outright disrespect.

In a situation like that, Lien could have easily gotten into a fight with the angry commissioner. But from what she learned at Tzu Chi, she tolerated the commissioner and forgave her in the end. She realized from that event that people don't always have the best conduct in the midst of their emotions. Furthermore, Lien knew that if she went along with her anger, she would only be mirroring the commissioner's anger.

Aside from her duties as district head, she enjoys spending time with other people to share Tzu Chi stories and cultivate good causes. She often does this while collecting and receiving donations. In whatever she does, though, she devotes herself wholeheartedly and sets out to do her best.

Sister Shu recounts the following example. "Back then, I didn't understand what it meant to dedicate oneself to others, but I learned through Sister Lien. I watched her as she was folding blankets one time. I couldn't see why she was being so meticulous in folding them. She simply said that by arranging them neatly, we could bring happiness to those who would see and use them. Many things that we don't understand can be learned from Sister Lien."

Sister Li explains, "She sets really high standards. Since she has high expectations for herself, she has high expectations for others too. But only when she has the ability to do something first will she ask others to do it. She also tries to fulfill the Master's expectations--not an easy accomplishment. She won't do things just for the sake of doing them, but she'll strive to take on the Master's spirit."

Lien has given much but learned much from her contributions. She explains, "A'll the people, events, and things in life are like living sutras for us to learn from. I often feel I don't have enough time because there are still so many things that need to be done. So I try even harder to make better use of my time. One more contribution is one more result." Although she is constantly busy, she is truly happy living her life through Tzu Chi. Even her dreams seem to convey her daily state of mind. Lien chuckles, "One night I even surprised myself by waking myself up from laughing!"

Lin and Lien have grown older but wiser. Despite their accomplishments and roles in Tzu Chi, they remain humble, down-to-earth, thrifty spouses who demonstrate a remarkably loving and sincere relationship towards each other and towards Tzu Chi. Perhaps they will end up together again in their next life or in their next seven lives. No matter what happens, though, Lien stated, "We will continue devoting our lives to the Path of the Bodhisattvas."