On the day of Tzu Chi’s 60th Anniversary and Buddha Day celebration, Tan Bee Hong could be seen helping to pack gifts for the participants. (Photo by Lai Tong Heng)
Tan Bee Hong’s legs felt as heavy as lead, yet she took a deep breath and continued to walk onto the stage slowly, one step at a time. As she caught a glimpse of the familiar faces among the audience below, she could feel her heart racing. The speech content which she had rehearsed multiple times in her brain vanished in this very moment.
She could hear herself talking. However, anxiety was like an invisible force, pushing and hasting her to go faster and faster. Her speech picked up speed and her pauses became fewer. She had only one thought in mind, which was for everything to end quickly so that she could leave this place. Initially, she was scheduled for a 40-minute narration, yet her anxiety led her to finish in just 20 minutes. She left the stage with her head hanging low, silently burying all her self-blame deep within her heart.
This lady, who felt so helpless on stage, was a long-time housewife who rarely spoke in front of a crowd. Perhaps it was her simplicity and her “desiring nothing” attitude that made her indifferent to recognition, allowing her to contribute quietly and steadily. As time went by, she was always the first to offer her assistance whenever someone needed help. Whenever no one else stepped up, she would quietly volunteer herself. And so, this housewife who never sought to become the centre of attention gradually became the reassuring presence that everyone looked to.
This is Tan Bee Hong (her Dharma name “Ci Dun”) who describes herself as someone who “harbours no great ambitions, except to seek stability in life”. Over the course of more than 20 years, she has quietly become an unwavering pillar of strength for countless people. Whether for her family, fellow volunteers, or within Tzu Chi, whenever a need arose, she was always there without fail.
Having Compassion That Engages the World and Finding the Starting Point to Act
Born and bred in Singapore, Tan Bee Hong came from a family of humble beginnings. Her two older brothers started working after completing their primary school education. Together with her mother’s frugality, Bee Hong was able to complete her secondary education.
In 1982, she joined the production team at Sin Chew Jit Poh (now known as Lianhe Zaobao). In that pre-computerised era, she had to operate a phototypesetting machine to type news headlines and advertisements line by line. It was there that she met her husband, and the two eventually got married.
After marriage, Tan Bee Hong became a dedicated housewife. One day, through a fortunate affinity, she visited the home of her friend Lim Chwee Lian. There, she heard Lim Chwee Lian and the artist Tan Swie Hian share about Tzu Chi’s charitable work. Deeply moved, she forged a lasting connection with Tzu Chi. Lim Chwee Lian became the one who brought her into Tzu Chi.
In 2004, Tan Bee Hong became a Tzu Chi member. Two years later, to accompany her youngest daughter in the Children’s Class (now known as the Tzu Chi Parent-Child Bonding Class), she volunteered to take on the role of a facilitator. That seemingly simple decision marked the very first step on her journey as a Tzu Chi volunteer.
During the 2008 Tzu Chi Teenagers’ Camp, Tan Bee Hong, who served as a facilitator, helped braid the hair of one of the students. (Photo by Tam Sook Meng)
Subsequently, Tan Bee Hong attended Tzu Chi's volunteer training programme and found herself deeply inspired by the teachings of Master Cheng Yen. She shared that the Master's Dharma talks were grounded in everyday life, encouraging volunteers to step into the community and care for society, an approach that differed greatly from the more formal, ritual-bound Buddhist practices she had previously encountered.
What struck her most was Tzu Chi's view of those who suffer as "suffering bodhisattvas", which transformed her understanding of the core values of Buddhism. She was equally moved by Tzu Chi's great compassion and dedication, which transcend race, religion, and national boundaries. This strengthened her support for Tzu Chi as an organisation that integrates the Buddhist spirit with humanitarian action, embodying the ideal of engaged Buddhism through charitable work in the world.
Through her daily life, Tan Bee Hong came to a profound realisation that "Religion is the purpose of life and the education of the living". From that moment on, her faith sprouted root and her steps grew firmer. She began to live out the spirit of Great Love which she had come to embrace through concrete action.
Family Support Is Her Greatest Strength in Reaching Out to the Community
Tan Bee Hong has always upheld the principle of "putting family first". To her, caring for her family is not a burden in her volunteer journey, but rather a part of her spiritual practice. Knowing that her family is at ease gives her the greatest confidence to step into the community and serve.
After her three children had grown up, she continued to accompany her elderly father-in-law to medical appointments, personally caring for him. When he underwent cataract surgery, she took leave from her volunteer duties to care for him for two months. She emphasised, "We must first take good care of the elderly Bodhisattvas at home. Only after ensuring everything has been properly settled at home can we serve in Tzu Chi without worries."
During her early days as a Tzu Chi volunteer, Tan Bee Hong joined the Great Love Mothers Group. Every Friday, she visited the Spastic Children's Association of Singapore (now known as the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS)) to provide one-on-one companionship to children with cerebral palsy.
On one occasion, a 12-year-old child in a wheelchair needed the volunteers' help to be lifted. When Tan Bee Hong accidentally brushed against his foot, the child suddenly gasped, startling her. In that moment, she felt both remorse and profound shock. "Although their cognitive abilities are intact, their bodies are very fragile," she said. Remembering Master Cheng Yen's teaching to "be more mindful", she began to understand that giving is not merely an action, but also about acting with care and awareness.
During the Tzu Chi volunteer session held in June 2026, Tan Bee Hong happily served as the team facilitator, accompanying the community volunteers. (Photo by Phang Wei Wan)
Tan Bee Hong admitted, "Joining the Great Love Mothers group helped me step out of the role of a housewife into a wider world."
Through her experience as a Great Love Mother, Tan Bee Hong encountered many Jing Si Aphorisms, which gradually transformed the way she communicated with her own children.
She recalled that many years ago, when her son was in Secondary Four, he told her before leaving the house that he had an exam that day. In the past, she would have responded with a negative remark such as, "Cramming at the last minute." However, on that day, she gently told him, "I wish you all the best." It was a simple sentence that conveyed care and positivity.
When asked about which Jing Si Aphorism has been most useful to her, Tan Bee Hong replied without hesitation, "A benevolent heart harms no one; pure thoughts bring no harm to oneself."
Humbling Oneself Until One Can Enter Another's Heart
Mutual Love Team Leader Lim Chee Wah, who has known Tan Bee Hong for 17 years describes her in one sentence, "Working with her is easy, being with her is pleasant, and she makes you feel at ease". The two have always complemented each other, seamlessly stepping in to support one another, never keeping score, with their rapport unaffected by their respective family and work commitments.
"She has a serious attitude toward learning, is patient, never rash or short-tempered, and remains calm in a crisis. She is very easy to communicate with and an easy person to work with," says Ong Ah Sooi, a housekeeping team member who has worked closely with Tan Bee Hong for nearly a decade.
Volunteer Lim Lee Huang, who has known Tan Bee Hong for 13 years, has witnessed her dedicated efforts in always being with her team members. Even when someone made a mistake or spoke in an unkind tone, Tan Bee Hong would not reprimand them. Instead, she often shared Jing Si Aphorisms with her team members.
"When no one is willing to take on a task, she always steps forward. She takes on multiple roles, and even when she has to care for her elderly family members at home, she remains dedicated without complaint," Lim Lee Huang said, admitting that she was still learning from Tan Bee Hong.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Four-in-One Cadres Camp in February 2021 was held in a hybrid format, combining online and on-site participation. Despite venue constraints, the curriculum team made good use of technology to facilitate the sessions. Featured here are Lim Lee Huang (left) and Tan Bee Hong (right). (Photo by Chen Yu Cheng)
Tan Bee Hong currently shoulders the responsibilities of a Harmony-tier Housekeeping Team Leader and Leader of a Mutual Love Community Group. At the same time, she also takes on the audio-visual duties for the online Dharma Incense Permeation Session. Through her willingness to learn, she had gone from being unfamiliar with computers to now being highly proficient in operating them.
She recalled that in the early days of participating in the Dharma Incense Permeation Session, she had to write summaries, often staying up late into the late night. At one point, she even developed gastric reflux from stress. To complete her very first home-visit report, she remembered having to work from 8pm until midnight. Yet these physical discomforts did not hold her back. On the contrary, she became more determined, believing that since she had taken on the responsibility, she was determined to see it through well.
In the eyes of other volunteers, Tan Bee Hong is a quiet anchor for many. When an activity is short-handed, she would step in to fill the gap. When a team member faces difficulties, she would offer her presence. When no one is willing to step forward, she would step up. She never seeks credit for herself, yet would always help hold things together during crucial moments. It is precisely because of her that those around her are given with peace of mind, free from worry.
Tan Bee Hong and other volunteers carrying the lucite Buddha statues carefully in the rain for safekeeping after the event. (Photo by Wong Twee Hee)
With a Willing Heart, Nothing is too Difficult; Everywhere Is a Place of Practice
Returning to the scene at the beginning of this story, that was Tan Bee Hong's early experience of stage fright when she facilitated a book club session on “Dharma As Water”. Despite spending considerable time preparing, the outcome fell far short of her expectations. Yet, with a willing heart, there is no fear of difficulty. Instead of backing down, she reflected continuously and quietly sought ways to improve.
The turning point came through an unexpected set of circumstances. A volunteer who was scheduled to facilitate a session had to withdraw at the last minute due to a personal matter. Tan Bee Hong stepped forward to fill the gap, taking over the presentation slides that had already been prepared. It was this very act of stepping in that gave her a new perspective. Through the experience, she learned how the other volunteer had prepared and structured the facilitation content, as well as the key to delivering an effective sharing.
"Turns out that facilitation doesn't require memorising everything. What matters most is clearly conveying the key points.” This insight was like a beam of light that illuminated every step she took to the stage thereafter.
Tan Bee Hong said firmly, "I hope to continue advancing diligently on this Bodhisattva Path, fulfilling every role I take on with wholehearted dedication. As long as time permits, I am also willing to join other functional teams, for instance, as a companion volunteer at community hospitals.”
Tan Bee Hong was never picky about her duties. As long as there is help required anywhere, she would volunteer and happily cooperate. (Photo by Mulias Lian)
To her, the greatest Dharma joy on the Bodhisattva Path lies in the inner joy and liberation that come from both giving and awakening.
From the woman who once stood helplessly on stage and walked off with her head lowered, to the volunteer who now advances diligently on the Bodhisattva Path without complaint or regret, Tan Bee Hong has authored a life story that transformed from the ordinary to the extraordinary over the past 20 years. She might not have the most prominent presence, but she is definitely one of the most indispensable. To her family, she is a gentle anchor. To her fellow volunteers, she is a quiet pillar of support. Whereas to the Dharma community, she is the lamp that burns silently, illuminating the way for others.
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