He’s a businessman in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, and she’s a flight attendant who travels around the world. Despite their different personalities, Han Sin Ng and Sherene Seet married before turning thirty, stepping into what seemed like a perfect beginning. However, their early years together were filled with friction and challenges.
The Beginning of the Family’s Journey
At a course themed “The Starting Point of Happiness” on May 25, 2025 for new volunteers, the couple shared their story.
With a smile, Sherene remarked, “Back then I was very idealistic, always thinking I’d marry a pilot, an engineer—some kind of professional. But as it turned out, I married someone with none of those titles.” Han Sin Ng responded humorously, “I was just bragging!”
Han Sin thrived in business, with endless social engagements and drinking as a regular part of life. After marriage, however, these very habits became the spark for arguments. Sherene confessed, “At the time, I foolishly thought that after marriage he would change for the family. But my tolerance didn’t bring about change; it only left me emotionally shattered, like a hysterical woman every single day.”
“In front of my in-laws, I pretended everything was fine, but once behind closed doors, I lost control,” she recalled. At her lowest, she would throw her flight attendant suitcase at her husband when he came home. Even pregnancy did not bring peace to their home.
A Turning Point Beginning with Yielding and Acceptance
“My mother-in-law advised me that once I had children, my husband would settle down. But even after having a second child, we were still arguing every single day.”
As the eldest daughter, Sherene didn’t want to worry her family, so she kept the true state of her marriage a secret. Several times she even thought of running away from home to wake her husband up. Yet the real turning point in this marriage came from Tzu Chi—and from learning to yield and accept.
In 2015, her mother-in-law, Saw Bee Lim (林淑美), a senior Tzu Chi volunteer, arranged for them to attend a Tzu Chi Entrepreneurs’ retreat held in Hualien, Taiwan. “Coincidentally, a couple can’t make it; do you two want to go?”
Han Sin said, “I’ve always been a filial son. Being filial is easy, but doing as my parents wanted was hard. This time, I listened to my mother.” Sherene had intended to use this opportunity to “change him,” yet, unexpectedly, the shift began within herself.
Certification and Family in Harmony
During a course in the retreat, a mother brought her paralyzed son onto the stage. The boy said, “As long as I’m alive, I want to use my life to influence others.”
These words deeply moved Sherene, now a mother herself. She realized, “Life is never perfect, and impermanence comes unexpectedly.” In that moment, she apologized to her husband and sincerely repented.
Han Sin once considered himself a young, successful entrepreneur and thought of Tzu Chi as an organization for retired elders. “I’m too young for Tzu Chi,” he said. Yet after stepping into Tzu Chi, he saw prominent business leaders working humbly and quietly—sweeping floors, addressing one another as “brother” or “sister,” and fully setting aside their status—all in the spirit of serving others.
Once they became involved with Tzu Chi, the couple participated in classes and volunteer training together and enrolled their child in Tzu Chi Da Ai Kindergarten. Over time, their hearts grew closer than ever.
“I started eating vegetarian, but I was still drinking,” Han Sin confessed. It wasn’t until a health check in Taiwan, when a fellow businessman and Tzu Chi volunteer—who was also a bar owner—challenged him: “Do you love drinking, or do you need it for business? Will quitting drinking ruin you, or set you free?” the volunteer added, “Master Cheng Yen said, as long as we are sincere and honest, there will always be business.” Seeing even a bar owner change his path, Han Sin realized he could too.
Once, Sherene’s mother-in-law told her, “I have nothing to leave you but one wish: that you make kindness your family legacy and walk the Tzu Chi path together, never leaving each other.” In 2018, the couple became certified Tzu Chi volunteers, making Tzu Chi the bond that united their family.
LEFT: Han Sin’s father, Choon Nan (second right), shared his journey and transformation in joining Tzu Chi, accompanied by his family. RIGHT: After thirty years, Choon Nan (right) finally joined Tzu Chi, bringing joy to Sherene (second right), who felt her wish had finally come true. | Photos: Chin-Hao Chiu (丘晉豪)
Finding Joy in Service Together
During the course, Han Sin’s parents, Saw Bee Lim and Choon Nan Ng (黃春源), joined them on stage in Miri, Sarawak. Saw Bee, a volunteer for thirty years, shared that she had introduced many to Tzu Chi, but her husband, busy in construction, only joined after three decades.
Hearing his family’s stories in Miri, Choon Nan became determined to walk the Tzu Chi path with them, promising to help in the kitchen when the Miri Jing Si Hall opens.
Awakening in the Present Moment
LEFT: During the course "The Starting Point of Happiness" for new volunteers, volunteer Han Sin and his wife from West Malaysia openly shared the turning points in their marriage. RIGHT: Seeing Han Sin’s whole family warmly engaged in Tzu Chi filled Kuan-Fei Yeh with envy.| Photos: Han-Wu Ku (古漢武)
Kuan-Fei Yeh (葉瓘菲), from a Buddhist family in Limbang, is the only Christian in her household. For her, faith became a light during her darkest days.
Eleven years ago, her father died in a car accident; six years later, her mother passed away from cancer. The loss of her parents made her feel alone and without anyone to rely on. However, she found comfort in Christianity and slowly emerged from grief.
“For a long time, I felt life had no direction,” she shared. Kuan-Fei admitted that at the time, what she felt wasn’t a “family,” but merely a collection of separate individuals. Her family had never truly been together—“We don’t even have a single photo of the entire family,” she spoke softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears
Perhaps that’s why, seeing Han Sin’s family engaged together in Tzu Chi—wearing their uniforms and serving others, faithfully practicing their vows, and giving selflessly—she couldn’t help but feel a heartfelt envy and yearning.
“It’s so warm and wonderful. That’s the life I always dreamed of,” she said, with a hint of regret.
She often attends courses focused on personal growth and well-being, so the Tzu Chi event was not unfamiliar to her, though it was her first time participating. She loved the way the program was organized and shared, “I never refuse to attend any sharing that is beneficial.” She was especially moved by the atmosphere at Tzu Chi, saying, “This environment makes me feel very safe and full of love.”
Speaking about filial piety, she reflected, “Only after my parents both passed away did I realize what ‘too late’ really means.” She recalled her rebellious youth: “Actually, my parents loved us very much, but because of that, I didn’t know how to appreciate it. When they scolded me, I would talk back, complain, and even hit them in return. Thinking back now, I deeply regret it.” And perhaps those past feelings of guilt that fuel her desire today to connect more deeply with Tzu Chi. Now, she hopes to participate in Tzu Chi’s upcoming event honoring parental love, to express her remorse and gratitude in a gentle, compassionate way.
Unable to show filial piety to her parents in time, Kuan-Fei Yeh now pours her love into her children, hoping to make up for the lingering regret in her heart. If given the chance, she hopes to join Tzu Chi as a volunteer and use her passion for photography to capture and share stories of kindness.
Looking back on this journey, they reflected deeply: “The most important thing in life is to rediscover love.” Now, they walk the Tzu Chi path together, writing a new chapter of harmony and hope.
Written by Ming-Yang Hsu (許明揚)
Translated by Mindy Chen (陳敏理)
Source: 婚姻路上同修 從對立到和合
