My Road to Happiness: Memoir of a Former US Tzu Chi CEO

本書譯自中文版《捨得歡喜——葛濟捨和孫慈喜的喜捨人生》。

葛濟捨一生扮演過四種角色身分，醫師、實業家、理財規畫師、慈濟志工，「四樣不同的工作，就像經歷四段不同的生命。雖然經歷不同的領域與挑戰，但每一樣挑戰都是興致勃勃去面對，每一階段都是寶貴的生命體驗。」

四十歲那年，葛濟捨出現中年危機，人生失去目標，不是因為設立的目標錯了，而是因為都是為了自己和家人。後來才發現，如果能夠將目標放大，包括一切苦難眾生，人生就會充滿意義；只要發揮良能，生活就會變得充實，生命也會更有價值。

一九九八年，他第一次參加慈濟國際賑災，因為中國貴州霜害，要提供食物和生活必需品給受災居民。第一次看到有人生活得這麼苦，這才知道自己的幸福，也才知道自己要惜福。

他一改自以為是的人生態度，本來認為周遭的人都是他的苦惱根源，參與賑災後才知道，周遭的人全是成就自己的貴人，要深深地感恩他們。

此時，發自內心深處的感動和願意付出，這種「知褔、惜福、再造褔」的人生體驗，是用任何金錢都買不到的人生覺悟，這分深厚的感恩心，是葛濟捨在慈濟學到的無上至寶。

「人生不如意事十有八九，要常想一、二」，我們面對人事，除了努力付出之外，無法掌握事情的結局，最好是用歡喜心去面對。歡喜心是一種選擇，也是一種人生態度。如果大家都能以「甘願做、歡喜受」的精神互動，這個社會能更祥和，我們的生命也能夠更圓滿。

Contents（目錄）

Acknowledgements  A Wrinkle in Time／Audrey Cheng

Foreword  My Love／Mary Keh

Foreword  Making a Difference in This World／Andrew Cherng

Foreword  My Role Model／Frank Su

Foreword  Each Step is a Memory／Shinshin Chen

Author’s Preface  A Very Special CEO／Audrey Cheng

Chapter 1  The Barefooted Boy From Kangshan

A Father’s Sacrifice

A Mother’s Love and Creativity

A Friend’s Encouragement

Inspiration from Dr. Dooley

A Train Station on A Cold Wintry Night

New Motivation in Medicine

A Novice’s “Lost” Surgeries

My Father’s American Dream

A Mentor’s Short Life 

Chapter 2  A Major Turning Point

Newlyweds

New Challenges

Sisters Arrived in America

Parenting

Mid-life Crisis and Remedy 

Chapter 3  Giving Back

Once a Troubled Student, Now the Principal

Searching for Answers Through Disaster Relief

Planning for the Future, One after Another

Challenging the Heavy Responsibility

A Challenge to the Intelligence

No Time to Delay

Deviating from Personal Opinion 

Chapter 4  Assimilating into American Society

Finding No Door to Give Disaster Relief

Seeking Collaboration Partners

Encouragement to Change Lives 

Chapter 5  International Disaster Relief

What Can Tzu Chi Do?

I Am Not the Only One with Brain Damage

Compassion and Wisdom Cannot Be Bought with Money

Applying to Join the United Nation

Numerous Challenges Overcame 

Chapter 6  The Torch Has Been Passed

Promote Sustainable Love

Complete Life’s Goals

A Grateful Gentleman

A Joyful Journey 

Family Articles

PART1～Strong Sisterhood

PART2～Seventh Sibling of the Sun Family

PART3～Life Wisdom of the Father

PART4～The Chess Game of My Father’s Life 

Dharma Family

PART1～A Wonderful Misunderstanding

PART2～An Honor to Work with Them

PART3～Never Too Late

PART4～Returning to Simplicity

PART5～A Virtuous Friend Who Gives Wisdom

PART6～My Mentor

PART7～Supporting Each Other and Creating Blessings

Major Life Events

Foreword

My Love

By Mary Keh

William looks ordinary, but in my eyes, he is wise, courageous, and a true gentleman who always treats others with sincerity. Always very straightforward and direct, I have never managed to understand nor will ever be able to emulate William’s philosophy of “thinking thrice before acting, and thinking thrice before speaking.” I admire how he is able to be so measured. He has a generous heart, and he tolerates many things which others cannot. He never insists on his own view because he believes in giving way to others in order to defuse tough situations.

William is not competitive and does not value fame or money. I remember one time when I met William’s old classmate, Dr. Huang Qing Zhong, he showed me an old yearbook from the medical college at theNationalTaiwanUniversity. William had written in it: “At the right moment, with my best friends, I will be where I am most needed and do what I have to do.” I was surprised that even in his twenties, he had already set out such a noble goal for himself.

Ever since I met William at age nineteen, I have viewed him as a role model, and his every word is like the gospel to me. When he was in medical school, I listened to all his ambitions and plans. When he decided to go toAmericato further his studies, I left everything to accompany him. InAmerica, it was difficult to live on William’s intern salary, so I got a job to make ends meet. When he decided to step away from the trappings of life to volunteer with Tzu Chi fulltime, we did it together. Some people have called me his number one fan.

As time passes, I find I am no longer that young girl, who takes his instructions without a second thought. After studying Buddhism, I have learned how to think about things from different perspectives. In Tzu Chi, I am always playing the supporting role, but I have never minded. I have also realized that I have a role to play as an advisor, especially when he is contemplating a difficult issue. I give him the push that he needs to get things done in time. If he was born to be part of Tzu Chi, then I was born to support him.

All these years, we have gone where life has taken us from business and career to volunteer work. While watching William steadily progress towards his goals, I have always kept the idea of this memoir in the back of my mind. Growing up poor has made me someone who is loath to give up on anything. I am glad that we did not give up on this project, and thanks to our good friend Tzu Chi Sister Audrey’s efforts, we finally can see William’s life story in print.

I remember a nightmare that William had some 20 years ago, during the period of his mid-life crisis. He awoke in a cold sweat, and recounted that he had met with the King of Hell, who asked him what good he had done for the world. He realized he had not done much because everything he had done was for himself. We are thankful that he had the opportunity to meet Master Cheng Yen and Tzu Chi.

Through the writing process of William’s story, we received many stories from friends and family. It was fun to relive old memories that had been locked away, or even forgotten. Our lives are wonderful because of you. Thank you for your love, encouragement and support.

I hope this memoir will help spread William’s philosophy on life and encourage more people to give back to society. 

Foreword

My Role Model

By Frank Su
Founder and President of Novatime

In 2011, through Brother Lazar Chang, I extended an invitation to Brother William Keh, who was at the time the CEO of Tzu ChiUSA, to visit my company.

Although we only spent a few hours together, I was able to learn more about Tzu Chi’s outstanding contributions to international charity and disaster relief. After learning that Tzu Chi had already been recognized by the American society, and could join UN and American disaster relief organizations, I felt particularly proud to be Taiwanese.

When Brother Keh shared with me his journey in Tzu Chi, I was immediately moved by his sincere and selfless spirit. I could not help but ask myself: “What can I do for Tzu Chi, for all beings?”

Brother Keh’s earnest talk reminded me of my mother who lived inTaiwan. Mother is a devoted Tzu Chi commissioner. For over three decades, she has followed closely each step of Dharma Master Cheng Yen. She has taught me that, “sometimes a step backward is a leap forward,” and “always take things one step at a time.”

I came to study in theUS31 years ago, and founded my own business 18 years ago. Throughout this time, I never forgot what Mother had taught me, for those were the foundation to my happy family and successful career. However, it seems that I have overlooked my social responsibility as an entrepreneur. I am grateful for Brother Keh’s invitation, which has inspired me to lead my company to join the mission.

In the field of technology, my idols are Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk. They motivate me to pursue innovation and excellence at work; six years ago, I was fortunate to meet my idol in life—Brother Keh! His humility, great love, and selflessness have inspired me to give more, and in my mind, he is the model for all Tzu Chi members.

In April 2013, I accepted Brother Keh’s invitation and came back toTaiwanto participate in an one-week Global Entrepreneur Camp. I returned to the States after gaining so much. Under the guidance of Brother Keh, I further understood Tzu Chi’s mission and principles, as well as Tzu Chi’s spirit of great love!

Looking back, when I first founded my company in 2004, I went to Tzu ChiUSA, which was inMonroviaat the time, with my wife, Chan Yen-ju, to participate in an event. Brother Stephen Huang, executive director of Tzu Chi Global Volunteers, shared with us the various stories and experiences of Tzu Chi volunteers’ efforts in disaster relief and rescue during the South Asia Tsunami. My wife and I could not hold back our tears, as we were both profoundly touched!

From that point on, whenever Tzu Chi launched an international disaster relief campaign, we would do the best we could. During the 2010Haitiearthquake, we immediately made a donation without any hesitation. Therefore, when I came back stateside from the 2013 Global Entrepreneur Camp inTaiwan, we once again accepted the invitation by Brother Keh and Sister Mary. We travelled toHaitito volunteer in the disaster relief just two weeks after returning to theUS.

InHaiti, it was truly pleasant to be travelling with Sister Nain Chen. She was my fellow participant at the Global Entrepreneur Camp inTaiwan; I did not know her at the time, but I admired her straightforward personality and spirit of getting to the bottom of any problem. During our time together inHaiti, I was able to learn a lot from her. I especially liked the “Aphorisms” she shared with us—“treasure blessings when seeing bitterness in life,” “know your blessings, treasure your blessings, and cultivate your own blessings,” and that we should know “when our blessings are used up, misfortune will come.” The words of Dharma Master Cheng Yen have been deeply branded into my mind, and I am truly thankful for the invitation from Brother Keh and Sister Mary, allowing me to gain such profound perspectives on life!

Returning fromHaitito the States, I contemplated on the spirit of the “Days of the Bamboo Banks,” and finally decided to follow Dharma Master’s spirit. I brought bamboo banks to my company, and I encouraged my employees and all my clients to cultivate our blessings together! With great admiration for Brother Keh’s way of carrying himself, I decided to learn from his example, and my wife and I also started taking our company employees to participate in Tzu Chi’s free clinics.

On Tzu Chi’s path of Humanitarian Bodhisattva, Brother Keh is my idol. There are too many things I can learn from him; whenever he encounters demon tests in relationships with others, he always compromises for the greater good, which is truly respectable!

It is a great honor to be one of the first people to read Brother Keh’s life stories. This book comprises chapters of “converting little love into great love.” I have read many autobiographies, but only his stories are so intriguing that I could not let the book down, and read the entire volume in one sitting. It felt like returning to childhood, and together, we were bathed in humanized Buddhism!

Brother Keh’s philosophy of life is the perfect demonstration of Tzu Chi’s spirit of Sincerity, Integrity, Faith, and Honesty. I strongly recommend this biography to all readers, hoping that all people have the opportunity, and the blessing, to read this book. I believe that this book will bring you inspirations on the journey of life. Also, I would like to thank Brother Keh and Sister Mary for their determination on this path of Tzu Chi, relentlessly leading everyone forward!

Author’s Preface

A Very Special CEO

By Audrey Cheng

Learning about Tzu Chi through TV programs and news reporting has enabled me to truly respect those volunteers who wear the blue and white uniforms. Though my heart is very envious, I have not yet participated. Prior to moving toLas Vegasin 1997, I was however, helping to deliver Tzu Chi Magazines. I maintained a “on-again, off-again relationship” with Tzu Chi. However, upon my relocation toLas Vegas, I did join the Tzu Chi family.

In 2003, I met Brother Keh at a volunteer’s training class in the Sahara Library. It turned out that there was nobody who had enough knowledge in order to run theLas VegasServiceCenterthat had recently been established in 2002. Brother Keh led a team that came toLas Vegasand provided new volunteers with training once a month. During that time, Brother Keh had told some of Brother Michael Pan’sSouth Africastories. As a result of the stories, I made my mind up to follow Master Cheng Yen.

Subsequently I became determined to get involved in international disaster relief. In 2003, I followed Brother Keh toEl Salvadorand participated in the distribution and outreach efforts. Partly because this was my first time being involved in something like this, my actions began to cause trouble among the others. It turned out that many of the other volunteers filed complaints about me and my actions with Brother Keh.

I recall one issue resulted from this occurrence; on the day we were set to leave forEl Salvadorand I was late because, I drove fromLas VegastoLos Angelesto catch the flight with the team. However, because I was very hungry, I chose to go to the McDonalds to get some food instead of boarding the plane and some volunteers found me in the restaurant. I was in trouble, they filed another complaint with Brother Keh. He called me to his office and asked, “Would you behave yourself, please?”

Another issue happened one day inEl Salvadoras I was acting crazy as I was running down the road to catch a closing elevator. When I made it to the elevator, guess what, Brother Keh was inside. He sighed, then said, “Please understand that we are here to help people, not to drive people crazy.”

If I were a naughty monkey, Brother Keh was the one who held the magic spell, whenever I got carried away, he was always able to get me back on track. Eventually, I learned to follow the Tzu Chi ways.

When our team had completed the outreach, we went back to our hotel. While eating dinner, Brother Keh came up to me to check on my work. He asked, “Have you done your daily report?” I answered, “Now? How?” It was then that he realized I did not have a laptop. I explained that I did not own one as I could not afford one, he then allowed me use his laptop.

I had never used a laptop before, so Brother Keh became my instructor. He guided me and taught me how to use the keyboard and I spent many long nights completing the daily reports. I had no idea that I was assigned to handle all the reports for the international relief inEl Salvador. I also did not know I was supposed to complete all the reports before going to bed. Fortunately, Brother Keh was there to help me. If he had not helped me, I would not have been able to complete the task!

Because of my background as a reporter, Brother Keh expected me to carry out “special training” and his wife, Sister Mary liked to call me to take care of the reporting work in the headquarters. They did provide me with many opportunities to stay at their home to learn more about the reporting work.

I was able to visit their homes sometimes, I found out more about their personal lives. It surprised me to learn that although Brother Keh is the CEO of Tzu Chi, he is a househusband at home. As soon as he takes off his suit he begins doing all the chores in the house. It appears to me that he enjoys the role of a househusband.

Early one morning, I noticed that Brother Keh crept out of bed to make breakfast. When Sister Mary woke and went to eat, she complained that the fried eggs were overcooked Brother Keh did not become angry at her comment; it did not upset him. He just got up a little earlier and made the fried eggs tenderer.

At home, the Keh family practice “carbon reduction.” They would not turn on air conditioning when it was very hot, not even in July. As I sweated easily, Brother Keh would come to my room to distract me so my mind would not be on the unbearable heat. He would say, “Take it easy! It will be cold around midnight.” I was amazed at the vast temperature differences between morning and evening in Los Angeles. However, I don’t agree that the air condition should be set so high. I think this is our CEO’s humorous side.

Once as I opened the doors and windows to get some fresh air, I noticed Brother Keh walking in circles by himself in the backyard. I could tell he was thinking about some serious issues as his face was changing while he was thinking. I thought he must walk 10,000 steps every night as he thought about the problems of the day.

Brother Keh does take it easy sometimes, believe it or not. Once, when he came to Las Vegas to meet with me to be briefed on information concerning our medical literature and its history, he spent several hours in the hotel trying to learn about 25 years of medical history. During this meeting, Brother Keh became hungry, and as he ate, he shared the corn and biscuits with me. I learned that he is diabetic, and as a result, he always carries food wherever he goes.

After we concluded our task on the medical history, I invited Brother Keh and his wife to the Venetian Hotel, where I work, so they could ride the gondola. After the ride, I took them to the ice cream shop so they could enjoy our wonderful ice cream. Brother Keh is not allowed to eat ice cream and his wife is. He begged her to let him have just a little taste. He held the little tea spoon up and said, “Please just a little bit?”

I recall the years from 2008 to 2010 were very difficult to me. In fact, they were my disaster years. As it turned out, I was in and out of the hospital and surgery many times during this time. I recall that one day I received a phone call from Brother Keh: “I just got off the plane and thought about you, how are you? You must take care of yourself, and then you can work longer for Tzu Chi!” I was so thankful, this small act from Brother Keh, a simple phone call, encouraging me to be more diligent!

Another kind act by Brother Keh. In 2014, my stepmother was critically ill. Even though Brother Keh had been injured in the neck resulting from a recent car accident and wore a thick neck collar, he drove five hours fromLos AngelestoLas Vegasto say “good-bye” to my stepmother. What a wonderful gesture, I, my family and my Stepmother really appreciated his effort, concern, and kindness. As it turned out, unfortunately, she passed away 3 days later but was ever grateful for his love.

Though Brother Keh is constantly busy as a CEO, he is still taking great pains to help with every volunteer’s need. He seems to reach out to help when we are at our weakest. Thankfully, his wife also pays attention to our needs. Once, when I was laid up, she knew I was not good at cooking. That perhaps the only thing I could cook was instant noodles. So, Sister Mary prepared some fantastic food for me and even packaged the food into small portions for my convenience. She also took time to email me a great many recipes with the hope that this would give me incentive to learn to cook. However, her effort did not work, as I was not able to cook at that time. As a result, she turned to other Tzu Chi sisters and asked, “Would you take care of Audrey, please?” So, with the fabulous help from Tzu Chi sisters, I was fortunate enough to just enjoy all of the help from the Tzu Chi family. Perhaps I will never need to learn to cook.

Once, during a very cold winter here inLas Vegas, I joked with Sister Mary and told her I was typing while wearing a quilt to keep warm. Upon hearing this news, Sister Mary bought me big coat and mailed it fromNew Yorkto my home inLas Vegasjust because of my joke.

I often feel unworthy as they are so nice to me, and I do not return the favor. Although, I do always serve them when they ask me to do some volunteer work.

I decide the deadline to complete the work and they never give me any pressure about the date I select. To me, Brother Keh is not a CEO but a mentor. From the very first day I met him, he is always my model.

I thank Brother Keh for his trust in giving me the opportunity to record his life story. Regardless of his story being beautiful or not, I have been fortunate to spend hundreds of hours working on this book. My mind has been able to follow Brother Keh’s story through all its twists and turns and its happiness and sadness. I am so fortunate to witness his character. He is a role model for everyone. I hope that Brother Keh will tell us more stories about his work with Tzu Chi.