![Dr. Saw expressed his self-aspiration saying, “After becoming a disciple of Master Cheng Yen, I will, under her guidance and direction, fulfil my duties as a disciple and share Tzu Chi’s philosophy of Great Love with people from different backgrounds around the world.” [Photo courtesy of Dr. Saw Aik]](/images/Articles/PPL/2023/20230618_001.jpg "Dr. Saw expressed his self-aspiration saying, “After becoming a disciple of Master Cheng Yen, I will, under her guidance and direction, fulfil my duties as a disciple and share Tzu Chi’s philosophy of Great Love with people from different backgrounds around the world.” [Photo courtesy of Dr. Saw Aik]")
We have only the right to use our physical bodies, but not to possess them. The length of our lives and the inevitable cycle of birth, old age, sickness, and death lie beyond our influence. However, we can enrich the value of our lives through the practice of selfless giving, and elevate our existence through the expression of love and compassion.
At the Limb Lengthening and Deformity Surgery (LLRS) unit of Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) sat a little girl, who suffered from a form of progressive musculoskeletal deformity that predominantly involves the spine. The girl wore a metal brace on her head, but the trunk was severely deformed, and this was obvious even when she was wearing loose pajamas. With the help of a few young doctors, Professor Dr. Saw Aik tried to test fit a metal frame that would be applied under general anaesthesia the following day. Although the test fitting procedure is supposed to be painless and straightforward for most patients, the girl cried out in pain, unable to stand the corrective pressure on to her curved spine. Witnessing this, Dr. Saw immediately stopped the procedure, gently comforting the girl before turning to console the anxious mother.
At 61 years old, Dr. Saw has a gentle and scholarly appearance, coupled with a humble and amiable demeanour. Although he has retired in 2022, he was subsequently appointed as an Honorary Professor of Universiti Malaya (UM), so that he can continue with the mission to nurture the younger generation of doctors. As such, he continues to personally manage selected patients with challenging conditions, sharing the knowledge and surgical skills with junior doctors and specialists along the way.
Since his high school days, Dr. Saw has been actively involved in charity work, driven by an altruistic heart. In 2004, during the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, he participated in international relief efforts and became acquainted with Tzu Chi. Initially intending to join Tzu Chi’s medical mission in the disaster areas of Sri Lanka, he was surprised to learn that there was no need for orthopaedic services at the disaster sites. He then joined other medical relief organisations in Banda Aceh of Indonesia. A few months later, he realised that the rate of surgical site infection was very high among patients who underwent emergency operations in tsunami-hit areas. Many patients treated with trauma implants after the tsunami would require removal of implants before the fractures have united. It was only then that he realised the wisdom and heedfulness of Tzu Chi volunteers. Deeply impressed with the way Tzu Chi organised their medical relief activities, he decided to join as a member of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA).
◎ All conditions met – The formation of a Master-disciple bond
Being born as humans, we have only the right to use our physical bodies, but not to possess them. While the length of our lives and the inevitable cycle of birth, old age, sickness, and death, are beyond our control, we can enrich the value of our lives through the practice of selfless giving, and elevate our existence through the expression of love and compassion.
In 2016, Universiti Malaya (UM) from Malaysia and Tzu Chi University (TCU) from Taiwan renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Silent Mentor Programme* for another five years, and Dr. Saw was appointed as the programme director. This indirectly reconnected him with more activities of Tzu Chi. During the annual TIMA conventions and academic meetings with Tzu Chi University in Hualien, Taiwan, he gained a deeper understanding of Tzu Chi’s philosophy. He remarked, “As seniors in the medical field, it is even more crucial for us to nurture compassionate and benevolent doctors besides providing technical guidance. The Silent Mentor programme instils in students Tzu Chi’s humanistic values of gratitude and respect. It also helps them realise the impermanence of life, which has a profound impact on their mental growth. Indeed, Master Cheng Yen has set an exemplary model for the medical field despite not being a medical specialist herself; and I have gained great inspiration from her.” His words revealed his deep admiration and respect for Master Cheng Yen.
In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic provided a breather for Dr. Saw, who was always busy with clinical and academic work. He decided to seize the opportunity to participate in the volunteer training of Tzu Chi, and focus his efforts towards becoming Master’s disciple.
◎ The Six Paramitas – Cultivating blessings and wisdom
Master Cheng Yen advocates taking the Dharma as a way of life, encouraging her disciples to engage with the community as living bodhisattvas and to embody the teachings of Buddha in their daily lives. Through sincere efforts and dedication guided by the Dharma, they will find happiness and ease, as their blessings and wisdom grow with their compassionate deeds and virtuous understanding.
Dr. Saw, who has a strong sense of compassion, has always aspired to participate in charitable endeavours. In the past, he has been involved in numerous charitable missions to Indonesia, Cambodia, and other countries. In April 2023, he participated in Tzu Chi’s project at the birthplaces of Buddha and Buddhism. With a selfless heart, he stayed in Bodh Gaya, India, for over a month, eager to contribute what he could. He shared, “This is the place where Buddha attained Enlightenment and is the birthplace of Buddhism. Buddhism should flourish here, and its people should live in ease and peace under the influence of the Dharma. However, this is not the reality. Today, the Buddhist community comprises only a small number of monastics, and the local people still live in hardship. In contrast, Buddhists in many parts of the world have received the light of the Dharma. The Buddha’s teachings aim to liberate all sentient beings. Since we have this karmic affinity, we must give back to the Buddha’s birthplace and revive the Dharma in this place.”
During his stay in Bodh Gaya, Dr. Saw went beyond exploring possible medical assistance and development for the local community, to also humbly participate in education, charity, and humanistic activities. He shared pleasantly, “During that period, I tagged along with the volunteers to schools and home visits. I found them truly amazing. Despite being strangers, they had come together under the mission to spread the Dharma and benefit the people. They had worked cohesively with great team spirit in a foreign country where they were unfamiliar with the social behaviours and cultures. There was an unspoken understanding, and everyone played their part efficiently, connecting with the locals and empowering them within a very short time. It was truly admirable and touching.”
With his lips slightly curled into a smile, Dr. Saw continued, “I believe the tacit understanding stemmed from them sharing the same ideals and their past experiences. Thus, they were able to yield fruitful results in the local community so quickly. I must learn more from them.” His humility and altruism in learning and serving have enabled him to gain new insights and growth within his heart and soul.
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On June 18, 2023, Dr. Saw was certified as a Tzu Cheng Faith Corps member. He vowed to follow in the Master’s footsteps and practise the Bodhisattva path in action. His self-expectation is to fulfil his duty as a disciple of Master Cheng Yen by sharing Tzu Chi’s philosophy of Great Love with people from different backgrounds around the world. He remarked, “It is evident to me that an organisation with a common purpose will achieve greater and more long-lasting goals.”
* The Silent Mentor programme provides a platform for the public to contribute their bodies for medical education and training. During the learning sessions, medical students were able to acquire valuable knowledge on human body from their mentors. In addition, through simulated surgery sessions, medical interns gain practical experience before dealing with real patients, preparing them with hands-on skills and experience upon graduation. The programme also instils compassion, gratitude, and respect, and other humanistic values in the students. Currently, the surgical simulation training has also been extended to medical doctors, specialists, and medical researchers.
