Lin Tien-Lai, Chief Brand Officer of the Tzu Chi Culture and Communication Foundation, shared how reading led him to writing, which eventually brought him to meet Professor Charles Kao, founder of the Global Views – Commonwealth Publishing Group, thus opening up a completely different path in life. (Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
"Where your time is, your life is."
With this simple yet powerful statement, Lin Tien-Lai, Chief Brand Officer of the Tzu Chi Culture and Communication Foundation, opened his talk, emphasising that time is life itself and that the direction of one's life is shaped by the many choices one makes. The choices we made in the past have shaped who we are today, and the choices we make five or ten years from now will define who we become in the future.
On the evening of 11 April 2025, the Jing Si Hall in Singapore hosted a warm and heartfelt talk titled "Life Is a Matter of Choice". Singapore marked the first stop of the Tzu Chi Taiwan Humanistic Culture Team’s "Discover DA AI, Embrace Tzu Chi" global tour through Singapore and Malaysia. The event drew over a hundred attendees, who gathered to quietly listen as Lin Tien-Lai shared how he charted his path step-by-step through 35 years of his career, with reading, writing, and an altruistic spirit guiding him forward.
Over a hundred attendees gathered quietly to listen to Lin Tien-Lai’s sharing. (Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
The three choices that shape the direction of one’s life
When he was young, Lin Tien-Lai often pondered deeply: “What truly changes a person’s life?” It could be family, a life partner, education, or the environment one grows up in. While these circumstances may seem governed by fate, Lin believes that what truly altered the course of his life were three key choices: What books you read, what friends you make, and what work you do.
Due to his limited educational background, Lin once worked for five years as a janitor at Hualien Girls’ High School, responsible for cleaning toilets, maintaining the swimming pool, clearing drains, moving furniture, pulling weeds, and even caring for a stroke-stricken principal, assisting her with medical visits and bathing. Despite the heavy and often tedious work, he never gave up on continuing his education through reading. He spent long hours in the library, believing that one must create one’s “usefulness”, constantly reminding himself, “Even if you are trapped in a ditch, you must still gaze at the stars”. He eventually became the person who borrowed the most books in the entire school.
Lin had a passion for writing and often submitted articles to earn some fees, almost all of which he donated, using the rest to continue his cycle of reading and writing. He believed that writing was a way to help others—and that by helping others, he was also helping himself—because writing brought him both vast knowledge and inner growth.
At the age of 25, Lin’s article “Joy in Work” won first place in a writing competition, leading him to meet Professor Charles Kao, founder of the Global Views - Commonwealth Publishing Group. This encounter changed the course of his life.
He emphasised, “True reading is not for exams, certifications, or stock investments—it’s for the books that genuinely move your soul.” In his youth, he read voraciously, but today he advocates for deep reading—choosing important books, reading the same book ten times over if needed, thinking deeply, and transforming insights into action.
All these real experiences circle back to the same core idea: Every seemingly small choice on life’s journey ultimately shapes the person you will become. And proper decisions are always rooted in two fundamental directions: growing upwards and moving towards kindness. Committing to light and goodness, even an ordinary life can shine with extraordinary brilliance.
Through his life story, Lin illustrated how choices shape a person's future, sharing many touching examples—from Master Cheng Yen, who, upon reading the Sutra of Infinite Meanings, made a vow to dedicate her life to good deeds; to Lin himself, who encountered mentors through reading and embarked on the path of cultural communication; and to many Singaporean entrepreneurs who, after meeting the late entrepreneur Sim Hee Chew, redefined the values of their lives.
Lin Tien-Lai’s heartfelt sharing was filled with life wisdom, sparking deep reflection among the audience and keeping everyone thoroughly engaged. (Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
A deep remembrance: One light illuminating countless hearts
The talk stirred deep thoughts and created a warm and moving atmosphere. That evening, a special segment was arranged for entrepreneurs to share their reflections, including a touching tribute to the late entrepreneur Sim Hee Chew, which deeply moved many in the audience—some could be seen quietly wiping away tears.
Sim Hee Chew, who passed away in 2021, has been gone for nearly five years. Yet his spirit of compassion, kindness, and selfless giving continues to resonate today, standing as a shining example among Singaporean entrepreneurs.
During the entrepreneur sharing session, entrepreneurs Teo Siew Leng (first from left), Wong Kwan, Sok Hang Chaw, Ng Chuan Lim, Sim Sem Peng, and Low Swee Seh, CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), each took turns sharing their reflections, creating a warm and heartfelt atmosphere. Chen Chu-Chi (first from right) served as the host for the evening. (Photo by Phang Wei Wan)
Yu Dong Mei, Fundraising Office Director of the Tzu Chi Culture and Communication Foundation, travelled to Singapore with the team and spoke fondly of Sim Hee Chew. She shared that Sim had a deep affection for Da Ai TV and the Tzu Chi Humanistic Culture Mission, tirelessly fundraising and wholeheartedly supporting the cause, always treating the dissemination of goodness and love as his life’s most important mission.
Sim Hee Chew’s wife, Chua Ah Suai, was also present at the event. Speaking with deep emotion, she revealed that she still keeps her late husband’s phone number, as it holds not only valuable information but also the precious memories and legacy of his compassionate actions. She expressed her heartfelt wish that his spirit of love would continue to be passed down.
Although Sim Hee Chew is no longer physically present, the entrepreneurs he once inspired have continued walking the path he left behind. Teo Siew Leng, Wong Kwan, Sok Hang Chaw, Ng Chuan Lim, Sim Sem Peng, and Low Swee Seh all took turns sharing how Sim’s life and actions profoundly impacted them. They described Sim as a light, guiding them towards altruism and good deeds, helping them realise that life’s true purpose is not merely to earn and enjoy wealth, but to benefit others.
Low Swee Seh (second from left), CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), presented a token of appreciation to Lin Tien-Lai. Standing beside them were Yu Dong Mei (first from left), Fundraising Office Director of the Tzu Chi Culture and Communication Foundation, and Chen Chu-Chi (first from right), spokesperson for the Tzu Chi Culture and Communication Foundation. (Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
Audience reflections: When life is more than a résumé
Just as Master Cheng Yen founded Tzu Chi after being inspired by the Sutra of Infinite Meanings, and just as Singaporean entrepreneurs found new purpose through their connection with Sim Hee Chew, Lin Tien-Lai also encountered the right people through his persistence in reading, ushering in a completely new chapter of his life.
That evening, Jeremy, a 73-year-old member of the public, was one of the first to arrive at the venue. After spotting the event announcement in the newspaper, he even called ahead to confirm the address. Reflecting on the talk, he said, “Academic qualifications do not define a person’s worth, capabilities do not equate to character, and positions do not represent virtue. What truly matters are one's values and actions.”
Veteran cultural figure Lim Jim Koon also shared his thoughts, remarking, “Listening to Lin Tien-Lai’s speech was better than reading ten years’ worth of books!” He admired Lin’s journey of growth and perseverance, emphasising that Lin’s spirit of selfless service is a rare and precious example for society today, one that everyone should aspire to emulate.
Jeremy, a 73-year-old audience member, was the earliest to arrive at Jing Si Hall that day. He had seen the event announcement in the newspaper and specifically made a trip to attend. (Photo by Goh Shoo Weng)
Lee Jia Ling, a former pressed flower art teacher at Tzu Chi’s Continuing Education classes, shared that she was deeply inspired by Lin Tien-Lai's talk. She admired how Lin could laugh at himself, embrace and accept who he was, and then share his life experiences sincerely—a quality she believes everyone should learn from.
After listening to the talk, Lee felt a renewed drive to immediately work on what she ought to do, to elevate her own life, and to become a light in others' lives. One quote from Lin Tien-Lai particularly resonated with her: "When your life is more than just a résumé—when people remember your kindness, how you helped them, the words you said that guided them, or even changed them—that is when your life truly shines."
Entrepreneur Yeo Boon Huat also reflected on his personal growth. In the past, he had little interest in reading but was compelled to start doing so when he needed to draft an employee handbook for his company. Through this process, Yeo realised he spoke with a loud voice and harsh tone, often making others uncomfortable. Teachings from Jing Si Aphorisms reminded him to speak with gentleness. Today, he has turned the practice of reading Jing Si Aphorisms into a nightly family ritual, where he reads a verse to his children before bedtime.
As the evening drew to a close, Low Swee Seh, CEO of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), shared that although the Humanistic Culture Mission was the last among Tzu Chi’s Four Great Missions to be launched, it carries the vital task of “purifying hearts and minds”—reporting truthfully, setting things right, and spreading goodness and beauty. Since Da Ai TV does not rely on advertising revenue, Low urged everyone to support the station, emphasising, "With just a simple gesture—a tap of a finger—you can light up a lamp within the heart, spreading the power of goodness, and helping to brighten the world."
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