Kee-Seng Poh (賀記生) once carried the heavy burden of past grievances, enduring years of inner turmoil. He sought solace in various religions for emotional and spiritual comfort. His search led him to Tzu Chi, where over two decades, his journey from a night recycling driver to a charity home visit volunteer became a profound path of self-cultivation, teaching him to "let go" and "forge good affinities." This transformation allowed him to shed suffering and broaden his life's path.

From Turmoil to Service

Kee-Seng Poh's initial encounter with Tzu Chi was in 1994 at a lecture in Malacca, Malaysia, featuring an inspirational sharing by volunteer Stephen Huang (黃思賢). Deeply moved, Kee-Seng Poh immediately filled out a volunteer application, though the connection didn't materialize at that time.

It wasn't until 1998, after attending another Tzu Chi lecture, that he finally received an invitation. Recovering from an illness, he agreed to drive for night recycling work at the Shangqiao Garment Factory, officially embarking on his journey as a recycling volunteer. This initial period of service lasted six months before he returned to his full-time job, pausing his volunteer work for eight years.

A Dedicated Volunteer

In 2006, a blood donation drive rekindled his connection with Tzu Chi. He met his middle school classmate Yeu Hoo (符祐), a Tzu Chi volunteer, who introduced him to Commissioner Saw-Keow Teh (鄭素嬌). Invited by Saw-Keow Teh, Kee-Seng Poh resumed community recycling, once again driving the collection truck.

Saw-Keow Teh fondly remembers his dedication: "Brother Poh is truly a volunteer who responds to every call. He bravely took on the role of driver, even borrowing a truck from his company to transport recyclables. From setting up to cleaning up, he was always there." Volunteer Loh-Tih Sia (謝樂蒂) also noted his thoughtfulness, recalling how he would scout and confirm addresses for home visits beforehand, ensuring timely arrivals.

Heng Hee Tay (鄭興喜), who joined Tzu Chi in 2010, was guided by Kee-Seng Poh from the start. "He is my role model, like a mentor who led me from environmental protection into charity work," Heng Hee Tay shared. "He patiently guided me step-by-step, teaching me the rules and methods of doing things, making me deeply understand the importance of 'attitude in service."

Finding Release from Resentment

As Kee-Seng Poh delved deeper into charity work, he witnessed a world of suffering he had never known. "Charity showed me the suffering of humanity," he reflected. He saw families devastated by illness and poverty, their struggles hidden behind seemingly ordinary exteriors. He met individuals paralyzed for decades, enduring immense pain, and encountered cases of attempted deception. "I saw all facets of life."

These visits profoundly impacted him, prompting deep self-reflection. He used to complain about his own life, feeling that despite years of hard work, he hadn't achieved great wealth. However, seeing those who couldn't even strive for a better life due to their circumstances made him realize his own blessings. He also visited many elderly residents in nursing homes, their loneliness sparking a question in his mind: "Will I be this lonely in the future?"

In the past, he rarely smiled, often clashed with people at work, felt deceived, and harbored resentment towards a friend for years. This inner turmoil made his daily life difficult. His wife initially thought his involvement with Tzu Chi would be a passing phase, but after nearly two decades, she was so moved by his transformation that she joined him as a volunteer.

"Tzu Chi taught me to let go. Through charity cases, I saw human suffering. Looking at their lives and then my own, I realized there's truly nothing I can't overcome. Seeing suffering helps me realize my blessings! I am grateful that by engaging in Tzu Chi's charity mission, I had the opportunity to enter others' homes and lives, to witness the suffering of sentient beings, and to learn and gain so much from it!" —Kee-Seng Poh

Cultivating Blessings and Good Affinities

In 2023, at 67, Kee-Seng Poh retired from his 40-year career, but his life remained far from idle. He readily accepted any volunteer invitation, regardless of the role, as long as his schedule permitted. Once, even with one hand in a cast due to an injury, he still went to the community center to help or joined volunteers for home visits. "If my left hand can't do it, my right hand can. I still have a hand to work with," he said.

After recovering, whether driving trucks to transport recyclables, collecting donated items for the Tzu Chi food bank, delivering reconditioned assistive devices, conducting charity visits, or moving items for events, he was always ready to help.

He chuckled,

"What I learned most in Tzu Chi is 'forging good affinities.' If volunteers invite me, I do what I can, as much as I can. Because I do it joyfully, I feel a sweetness inside, and forging good affinities makes my mind more and more at peace."

He emphasized that in human interactions, he realized how easily bad affinities are formed and how difficult they are to resolve. He pondered, "Why punish myself for others' mistakes?" Master Cheng Yen's teaching, "Before attaining Buddhahood, first forge good affinities with others," enlightened him.

"Forging good affinities isn't just about talking; it's about giving, actively helping. Learning by doing, and awakening through doing, over time, relationships naturally improve." With a change in mindset, and time having passed, he was able to shake hands with a friend he had resented for years, expressing goodwill. His heart felt suddenly open, no longer trapped in a mental prison.

Now 70, having undergone cardiovascular surgery and lost his wife, he lives alone but maintains a peaceful state of mind. He is grateful for his ability to care for himself, the support of Tzu Chi volunteers and kind neighbors, and his children's frequent visits.

He firmly believes, "Every good deed done in ordinary times is the greatest blessing one leaves for oneself." This conviction is why he continues to volunteer actively.

From a night recycling driver to a charity home visit volunteer, his more than two decades of service with Tzu Chi have been a continuous journey of self-cultivation. "The difficulties and interpersonal issues I faced before, looking back now, are just life's lessons," he reflected.

"Tzu Chi taught me how to gradually solve these lessons. After a long journey, I finally found peace in Tzu Chi."

“Tzu Chi taught me to let go. Through charity work, I saw the suffering of others and realized that my own troubles were small in comparison. I learned to appreciate my blessings. I’m grateful for the chance to enter others’ lives and learn from their experiences.”

After recovering, he drove trucks to deliver recyclables, transported food bank items, moved second-hand assistive devices, and helped with charity visits and event preparations. No matter the task, he was always ready to lend a hand.

“Forming wholesome affinities is not just about words—we must take action and proactively offer our help. Building good relationships isn’t just about words—it takes real effort and a willingness to help others proactively. By learning through doing and gaining insight through experience, connections naturally grow stronger over time.” With this change in mindset, he was able to greet even those he once resented with a handshake and a smile, freeing himself from his own emotional prison.

He firmly believes, “Every good deed I do is the greatest blessing I can give myself.” This conviction keeps him active in service to this day.

From night-time recycling driver to charity home visitor,  Kee-Seng Poh’s more than twenty years with Tzu Chi have been a journey of self-cultivation. “Looking back, all those difficulties and conflicts were just life’s lessons. Tzu Chi taught me how to answer them. After all this time, I’ve found peace in Tzu Chi.”

Written by Julie Yen (顏玉珠)

Translated by Mindy Chen (陳敏理)

Source: 從結怨到結緣 賀記生找到心解方