The Tzu Chi Dallas community recently mourned the passing of Yuan-Liang Ling (凌源良), also known by his Dharma name Ji Cheng (濟成), the CEO of Tzu Chi Dallas. He passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, at the age of 77. Though he lived in the United States for many years, his heart remained connected to his homeland and society, dedicating his life to charitable endeavors. Ling often said that the value of life lies in creating blessings for the world. As a Tzu Chi volunteer, he not only provided material aid but also cared for everyone in need with genuine sincerity. His departure leaves behind a legacy of kindness that will continue to inspire and protect the communities he served.

A lifelong vow

During the Tzu Chi headquarters weekly report on January 5, 2026, Master Cheng Yen recounted a poignant conversation she had with Ling on the day of his passing. Gravely ill in his hospital bed, Ling repeatedly whispered, “Give me red beans, give me red beans.” His wife, Mei Ling (吳美樺), initially misunderstood, asking if he wanted red bean soup. He shook his head, clarifying, “No, Master’s red beans.”

He was referring to the “Seeds of Remembrance” (想師豆) — two red beans Master Cheng Yen had given to each new volunteer 23 years prior, when he first joined Tzu Chi. For Ling, these were not mere food items but precious tokens of a lifelong commitment. When Master Cheng Yen took his farewell call, despite his weakened state, Ling firmly told her, “Master, these two red beans are my vow to follow you for all future lifetimes.” Deeply moved, Master Cheng Yen, with the tenderness of a mother, urged him, “You must hold my hand tightly and never let go. When I see you again, I will also hold your hand tightly.” This was Master Cheng Yen’s way of reassuring him:

Do not be afraid. Your mission in this life is complete, but we have promised to meet again on the Bodhisattva Path.

Responding to Global Crises

Born in 1949, Ling built a furniture import business in Dallas. He and his wife, Mei, joined Tzu Chi in 1997. His commitment deepened significantly after his first international relief mission following the devastating El Salvador earthquake in 2001. He became a certified Tzu Chi commissioner in late 2003 and took on leadership of the Dallas chapter in 2004, eventually becoming a full-time volunteer in 2009.

In January 2001, a powerful earthquake struck El Salvador. Tzu Chi volunteers from across the U.S. formed a relief team, and Ling was among them. He recalled the incredible synchronicity during the aid distribution. Volunteers first delivered distribution forms to village chiefs. Ching-Kuei Hsieh (謝景貴) from Tzu Chi headquarters called Master Cheng Yen from the hotel, kneeling to report the assessment results. “Master, how many portions should we prepare for the distribution in three or four days?” Master Cheng Yen replied, “Eighteen thousand portions.”

They immediately began purchasing supplies like red beans and cooking oil, preparing 18,000 twenty-five-pound bags. Two days later, when the distribution forms were collected and tallied, Ji-Cheng Ling was astonished. “An incredible number! I still remember it was 17,976 recipients,” he recounted, marveling at how close it was to Master Cheng Yen’s initial estimate.

Building a home for compassion in Dallas

By 2004, as Ji-Cheng Ling assumed leadership of the Dallas chapter, the need for a larger, more suitable space for their growing operations became evident. His attention was drawn to the First United Methodist Church Richardson, a substantial 75,000-square-foot building that had been on the market for two years. Its ample space, which could be configured into 40 classrooms, greatly appealed to the volunteers.

To move forward with such a significant acquisition, Master Cheng Yen’s approval was essential. Conveniently, Simon Shyong (熊士民), then CEO of Tzu Chi Texas, was preparing for a trip back to Taiwan. Ling seized this opportunity, entrusting Shyong with the details and plans for the proposed church purchase to present directly to Master Cheng Yen in Hualien. Master Cheng Yen quickly approved the concept, and the Jing Si Abode responded via email with clear instructions: “Go negotiate the price.”

The church was initially listed at 6.5 million, a daunting figure. After a year of hesitation and even exploring smaller churches, Master Cheng Yen′s guidance was clear: "Didn′t I tell you to negotiate the price? Why are you looking elsewhere? To his surprise, after several rounds of negotiation, the deal was closed at $4.5 million, further solidifying his belief in Master Cheng Yen’s intuition, despite her never having visited the site. This new facility became a cornerstone for Tzu Chi’s continued growth and community engagement in Dallas.

Nurturing minds and communities

Since 2011, the Dallas chapter has been promoting character education at the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, a program now in its fifteenth year. In 2012, the academy became a sister school with Tzu Chi Senior High School in Hualien, Taiwan.

At the academy’s anniversary concert in 2022, after the pandemic, students performed a tea ceremony for their parents, expressing gratitude. Ling addressed the attendees, saying:

I believe everyone has gone through a very difficult time these past three years. Fortunately, everyone is doing well.
— Yuan-Liang Ling

Student Nalmaya shared, “Everything Tzu Chi does around the world makes you feel like you’re part of it. When they come to our school and spend time with us, you feel like you’re a part of Tzu Chi, helping many people in need and illuminating dark corners around the world.”

For over two decades, the Dallas chapter has also organized the “United in Zongzi” (萬粽一心) event, which began in 2003 to raise funds for Mexican flood relief. Ling also championed vegetarianism, with vegetarian charity sales supporting vulnerable individuals.

He was always at the forefront of disaster response, whether distributing emergency relief funds in wildfire zones, providing cash cards after gas explosions, or tirelessly packing protective gear for Taiwan during the pandemic. Ling consistently worked alongside fellow volunteers, bringing love to every corner of Dallas that needed it.

A legacy of selfless giving

Ling dedicated his life to serving the community, fulfilling his aspiration to benefit society. He often shared that when one gives wholeheartedly to others without expectation of return, the pure joy and happiness experienced internally are the most precious rewards. This passion, stemming from a belief that “life is valuable,” made him proudly declare, “I am doing Tzu Chi's work!” This transmission of love was driven by a sincere heart. Recognizing the profound value of this work, he continuously inspired those around him to join the ranks of volunteers, fostering deep connections that transcend time and ensure this love continues for generations.

Written by Cheng-Lin Li (李成林), Hsiang-Hui Huang (黃湘卉)