Written by Chien-Ming Chiu, M.D., Colon and Rectal surgeon, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital

I was born as the only child in a well-to-do family. My father created his wealth from scratch. He moved from a remote village in Chiayi to Mingshun when he was young hoping a better living. As far as I could remember as a child, my father owned several factories. I remembered riding a Mercedes Benz to school. Back then, we were the only family to own a Mercedes. Everything was well provided for me. Though my father often shared his business skills and experience with me, the only thing I was asked to do was to be a good student. Later, I successfully got into the medical school.

The Lost of Beloved and in Serious Debt

Good times never last. My mother had breast cancer when I was in my 6th year internship at the medical school. Even after going through surgery and chemo-therapy, she was soon diagnosed with obstructive jaundice. It was later confirmed duodenal ampullary carcinoma. She passed away in 1996 after eight months of suffering treatments. The painful experience contributed to a great extent in my decision to specialize in colon cancer.

My mother and I were best friends until she passed away. I always thought the loss of my mother was the greatest pain I would have, the catastrophe like the tsunami after an earthquake was yet to come.

Dr. Chiu (first row on the left), who was born in a rich family, lived under the auspices of his parents.

I inherited many pieces of land together with some unpaid balances from my mother. My Father was very ambitious while my mother, on the other hand, was financially conservative. Their extremely different personalities complemented each other well when they handled the household together. However, my father made lots of investment after my mother’s death. As a result, not only we lost every land for loan but also the investment did not pay its worth. Before long, we were in serious debt. Even my savings as a resident was depleted.

When I found out how serious the problem was, I had no choice but to take the financial burden. Consequently, I had to leave a good job at a medical center for a private practice in order to make more money to pay-off the debt. Unfortunately, the debt was more than I could handle.

My father co-signed a 30 million note. When the business deal went sour, the business collapsed like a domino. All the real estate we owned was foreclosed by the court. I was entangled in a 50 million debt with a 9 percent interest rate. This dramatic figure was devastating. I then understood why desperate people commit suicide. Eventually, all the land under my name was lost to foreclosure but the amount was far to meet the balance. In 2003, a court notice sent to my employer to garnish onethird of my pre-taxed monthly salary. In fact, it was more like half of my total salary.

My wife of course was very concerned about losing all our savings. She insisted on a divorce in order to keep our little savings. At the time, she was extremely unsecured. She hated my father and developed symptoms of depression and frustration. I worried something terrible happened to her and the children if I did not see a light in the house when I came home late from work. My wife would not visit my hometown in Chiayi. She didn’t even go with me during the Chinese New Year. I still remembered taking two kids by myself to Chiayi on a New Year’s Eve. Then on the first day of the New Year, I had to rush back to Taichung to check on her because I worried about her personal safety. I was so helplessly struggling then but I had nobody to turn to.

A Pure Heart

Under tremendous pressure of debt and a slowly disintegrating family, I tried to collect myself and stay calm. I need to dig myself out of a hole. I summoned my courage to fight for my family. Fortunately, many elders gave me good advice. My uncle said, “Even if your salary is cut in half, you can still survive. Take it easy. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do!”

Only after I joined Tzu Chi and realized what they said was similar to Master’s teaching - “a pure heart” is about compassionate, forgiving, and with good intentions. Another uncle told me, “Be brave to face the harsh reality and try to communicate and negotiate with the bank.” After discussing with the bankers whose primary concern was my intention and sincerity to pay the debt, they agreed to lower my interest rate and waive the accumulated interest. As a bank’s concession, my total debt was reduced from fifty million to sixteen million dollars.

I was raised by my grandmother. She worked hard through her entire life but was able to retire comfortably in the end. She used to tell me: “The real patience is to be able to endure more than anybody else.” I also reminded myself that, “My greatest access is the word of mouth from patients. There are never enough good doctors to go around. If there are no patients seeking for my help, I can only conclude that I am not a good doctor.” I also knew that I would be negatively impacted once my debt was exposed to the public. Credibility and trustworthiness is very important to me. I never perform a surgery if it is not necessary. It would be awful if people think that I perform unnecessary surgeries just to make more money. I used to behave like I was brought up in the “upper” class. I occasionally expressed my impatience toward my patients. However, after this incident, I suddenly felt that my patience had increased. Because every patient is a person of nobility, an angel sent from heaven to rescue my family, in my eyes. Not to mention all other co-workers at the hospital who help me take good care of my patients. I also realized that I must secure and comfort my wife with the love and patience as I want to marry her in my next life.

After nine months of trying and working out with my wife, she finally agreed to go to Chiayi with me, although she still felt awkward about it. My clinical workload had steadily increased. I had paid back more than seven million dollars in five years. Right before I reported to Tzu Chi Hospital in Taichung on the first of November, 2007, we had enough savings to buy a house. The bank agreed to return one third of the pledged deposit. But the happiest moment was when we were married again. I also participated in Tzu Chi’s commissioner training. After the training, my wife congratulated me with an offer to take care of my father at our home in Taichung. I am so very grateful to her.

Conquer Great Difficulties - Believe in Yourself

After two more years of hard working, I bought back the land that once belonged to my father and his business partners. My credit with the bank was fully restored in 2009 after I had paid off all debts. The value of the land I repurchased is almost the same as the amount of debt incurred by my father. Like my father, I built my home from scratch. It is unimaginable that a person born in a wealthy family would leave aside the existing fortune and start everything from scratch. I had come full circle, and am grateful that I was able to go through it. This storm that I weathered in life had tested me and I am the final beneficiary. I learned how to rely on myself, to be persistent even in great difficulties with courage and patience. I also learned to cherish good fortune, and be content with what I have and thankful for what is given to me. I treasure the opportunity of my current job and am proud to be able to help others as a doctor. I am deeply grateful to those who helped my family during the difficult time. It also reminds me to be always humble.

Performing surgery. “To endure more than anybody else” is Dr. Chiu’s motto helps him become a good doctor.

After the completion of the Tzu Chi commissioner training last year, I reported to Dharma Master Cheng Yen my own personal experience to any touching moments. Master Cheng Yen encouraged me to apply that experience to affect others. On December 10, 2009, while Master Cheng Yen was visiting the Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, I summoned the courage to share my story at a medical report presentation. Although my past family history was not so brilliant, I received positive feedback and encouragements from the volunteers. I would like to share my story with every reader. I sincerely wish everyone to remember, “To conquer hardship, and not be conquered by hardship.”

Dr. Chiu is a reborn Tzu Chi volunteer determines to affect others with his own stories.