In Memory of Dr. Huei-Ju Lin
TIMA USA
On May 26, 2011 at 9:40pm. Dr. Huei-Ju Lin passed away at Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center in Taiwan.

Dr. Huei-Ju Lin was born in Taichung, Taiwan in 1953. She and her family immigrated to New Jersey, USA. in 1977. In 1983 she received her Doctorate Degree in Dentistry from New York University; four years later she practiced in a dental clinic in New Jersey.

Not long after her graduation in 1983, her mother passed away. Dr. Huei-Ju Lin was utterly moved by Tzu Chi volunteers chanting and their assistance in her mother's memorial service. She said, "I was so sad because of my mother's passing. Yet Tzu Chi volunteers, who were basically strangers to me, could empathize with my sorrow." That was her first impression of Tzu Chi. Later, Huei-Ju Lin participated in a volunteer gathering and asked how she could become a volunteer. "It is very easy to volunteer with Tzu Chi. You come whenever you are available. But when you volunteer, it needs to come from your heart." In the beginning, she thought she may not have time to devote, since her child was only five years old. She then learned a volunteer who sat beside her had a child who was only three! Hence, she told herself, my child should not be an excuse. If other people can do it, then so can I.

With that thought, she started her journey of philanthropy. She helped out at rescue missions and free clinics in New Jersey and in other countries such as Columbia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Bolivia.

Huei-Ju and her husband became Tzu Chi commissioners in 1997; the couple blazed the trail for Tzu Chi in Northeastern New Jersey. Lu-Rong Lin, the executive officer of the New Jersey chapter, recalled old memories. One time, the two of them packed some biscuits and two bottles of water, and then they drove all the way south just to recruit more volunteers. In 2004, Huei-Ju joined the TIMA New York chapter as vice executive officer and was responsible for recruiting more medical volunteers. They held more than ninety dental public health education and free clinics in many countries.

When she held free clinics in the Dominican Republic, Dr. Lin was very surprised to learn how infrequently the local residents visit dentists. She couldn't remember how many teeth that she had extracted that day. After the tooth extractions, all of the patients were all so happy and smiling. When she announced that she wouldn't extract any more teeth without anesthetic, many people said, "It is ok without anesthetic. We still want our teeth to be pulled." The situation put her in a serious dilemma. She worked nonstop and wished that more dentists could join the free clinics. Thus, whenever there was free clinic, she would invite dentists from New Jersey region and also invite them to join Tzu Chi as volunteers.

After the 9/11 terrorist attack, Dr. Huei-Ju Lin led several Tzu Chi volunteers to the disaster area. As a Tzu Chi volunteer with a medical license, Dr. Huei-Ju Lin was the only Chinese doctor to receive an entry pass from the New York City government.

After Huei-Ju's intense negotiations with the authorities, thirty Tzu Chi volunteers were allowed to provide ice and water to the rescuers in ground zero. When local stores learned that the Tzu Chi volunteers were buying the ice bags for the rescuers, they told Tzu Chi to take whatever they needed at no charge. As they loaded the truck with ice and water, there was little room for seating. But volunteers managed to squeeze onto the truck. When the five cars loaded with ice arrived at the area, she saw many volunteers were lying on the ice bags because there was barely room for seating. Huei-Ju said those doctors who went to the Dominican Republic with her expressed their desire to join Tzu Chi after this 9/11 event.

Huei-Ju was a dentist by profession, but she participated in all four missions. Huei-Ju never took any time off from Tzu Chi. Even when she unexpectedly fell ill, she did not stop. In the process of her treatment, she still came back for the 2010 TIMA Convention. Huei-Ju said, "Master Cheng Yen's missions are still incomplete. I cannot be sick⋯"

In April 2011, Dr. Huei-Ju was on her sickbed and was very weak and fragile, yet she still insisted on sharing the expense for the Buddhist festival. Huei-Ju's husband, Tai-Bo Chu, understood and respected her wish of donating herself for medical research; he found an airline that was furnished and equipped with medical equipment and brought her back to Hualien.

After her long journey, Dr. Huei-Ju Lin passed away in Hualien and accomplished her wish of becoming a Silent Mentor for the medical students of Tzu Chi University. Master Cheng Yen said, "We must let her rest and let her go freely! When the purpose of her life has been fulfilled, we should let her go. It is another beginning for her!" In her short fifty-eight years, Dr. Huei-Ju Lin filled her life with generosity, compassion, and a kind heart until the very last moment.