在見叮法師的勸發下，終於在2011年10月受了菩薩戒。

本來對菩薩戒就高而望怯。一個步入高齡的人，習氣總比別人多之又多，哪有什麼菩薩的風範。在師父開示之後，知道先前的觀念是錯的。既然做為佛弟子，就該跟隨佛陀的腳步走，學習佛陀的慈悲願力。更重要的是，受了菩薩戒才能有更細微的念頭來觀照自己內心的貪瞋癡。故想了又想，要知行合一。只知道理而不去做，就等於是零。就這樣下定了決心報名參加。

沒想到大家一起報名，傳見卻是唯一被退回的。見叮法師馬上通知弟子，要弟子每天發願。弟子也納悶困惑是否弟子的心念不夠堅決，還存有疑惑。就趕緊每天到佛前發願。終於到受菩薩戒前一個月才被錄取。師父說還是要繼續發願下去，不可間斷。至今還是每天發願，並願護法護教心永不退轉。

看到受戒的中外弟子那麼多，那麼熱誠地要追隨佛陀的腳步至涅槃，真是太感動了。更讓弟子不能忘記的是在「燃香供佛」時，看到有些佛弟子是那麼膽怯、那麼害怕，他們終究還是打破了「我執」把手臂伸出讓師兄們在手臂上燃香。不管是只燃一 點、兩點或三點，那時就感受到佛陀的大悲願行「割臂餵鷹」。弟子們區區的這一點痛算的了什麼!

受了菩薩戒，就是大眾的模範，身、口、意時時都要觀照到。雖然習氣一時不能完全改過來，但現在時時都要觀照到自己的言行舉動，一時片刻做不好時，也知道要去懺悔反省檢討，知道要更用心去破除我執、要謙虛、柔軟。更重要就是茹素。還要把中台四箴行落實在日常生活中。不僅如此還要發願心，期許「上求佛道、下化眾生」的大願心、行菩薩道，最終才能成佛道。

但在遇到大逆境時還是不能完全放下。明知道要放下才能在利他中完成自利。這點還要加倍努力學習。

其他平時遇到的鎖碎事，都不再是什麼大不了的事了。只要用寬容心、包容心、將心比心的心情去面對，就會坦然輕鬆。但慈悲心還是不夠，這點還要多多練習。

後來住持見樞法師上課時時提起，就因為還有貪瞋癡、執著、習氣…才要受菩薩戒。若樣樣都具備齊全了，那不就是佛了嗎?!故更清楚瞭解受菩薩戒才是佛弟子真正應走的路!

現在對三寶更懂得知恩、感恩、報恩! 大家一起努力更上一層樓!

More than two years into meditation, I have tremendous appreciation for its fruits—in terms of health, sharpness, stillness of mind, and balanced emotions. There were moments when my patience was put to the test, but thankfully I had awareness, so I came out level headed.

From the time I learned and took meditation by heart, I converted all my activities as meditation exercises that sometimes I was amazed how I managed to do more than I expected. My smiles have always been genuine. Through the years I have been like this, regardless of my life’s circumstances. I could always feel that a pure kind of divine joy is being poured into my Being that brings a more serene smile on my lips.

I hope, pray and look forward to experiencing Samadhi, all the days of my life.

Ocean Sky, through the kind invitation of the former Abbess Jianding, also gave me the opportunity to nurture the minds of little children. I am so touched, deeply humbled and so grateful for the opportunity and trust bestowed upon me and my son. I take this task by heart and very seriously, knowing that we are molding the personality and establishing the mindset of a future generation.

Thus, I meticulously prepare the games and lessons assigned to me because I want to give the children the maximum benefit they could get from the Bodhi Star classes. It does not matter if they understood it today or not, what I know is that the Bodhi seeds are planted in their minds and someday, somehow, when the conditions are ripe, these will blossom and bear fruits.

I strongly believe and uphold the values being taught in Ocean Sky, which are founded on the 10 Virtues of the Bodhi Stars—Respect, Compassion, Harmony, Sincerity, Faith, Diligence, Meditation, Wisdom, Thankfulness and Bodhi. If all can honestly and truthfully cultivate these virtues, regardless of age, this world will indeed be a better place to live in.

From the bottom of my heart, I earnestly thank Grand Master Wei Chueh for planting the Bodhi seed in the Philippines, the Abbess and all the Masters of Ocean Sky for the genuine love, devotion, compassion and guidance to enlighten and awaken the laity to take on the Bodhi Path, and most importantly for believing strongly in the Buddha Nature in each one of us. AMITOFO!

As a practicing Buddhist, it is not easy to apply the Five Precepts in our daily lives; how much more to take its formal vow!

Upon learning from the Dharma Masters that taking the Lay Bodhisattva Precepts is a great opportunity to amend past mistakes, I was convinced. On their part, they assured me of their support, to encourage me and sustain my vow. So, off to Chung Tai we went to take it.

During the ceremony, as a profound symbol of our vows, three cone-shaped incenses were burnt on our upper forearm; it symbolizes how the body was the censer, and the Precepts, the fragrant offering of incense.

In preparation, we were immersed in real-life examples of the practice of Lay Bodhisattva Precepts; we experienced the monastic life, practiced compassion and tolerance, discarded all our possessions and released all our attachments. The discipline included a certain way of thinking and acting. Having nothing, I realized that I only have myself to offer Buddha.

The mere thought of being burnt scared me, but I found strength in knowing that I was making a supreme offering of myself. Surprisingly, there was no pain and I was overflowing with joy and became teary-eyed.

Coming home, I was a changed person. I knew the challenges that await me outside the monastery wall, but compassion and tolerance are the keys. Becoming vegetarian while other members of the household were not, also posed a test of will power and perseverance. Thus, I cook my own food or run to Ocean Sky.

That was a year ago, and now I am in a happier state than ever before, knowing that my vows kept me from harming other sentient beings. Taking the Lay Bodhisattva Precepts entails great responsibilities, but I intend to uphold them forever. Receiving it was a privilege; I knew in my mind that I was making the ultimate offering to the Buddha and to all sentient beings.

I grew up as a Catholic. I was 12 years old when I first heard about Buddhism. It was not until my son Ivan graduated from high school and expressed interest in Philosophy as his course in college, that I took studying Buddhism seriously. I started to read about the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. My interest progressed from that point, so my son and I searched for a Buddhist monastery and found Ocean Sky Chan Monastery in San Juan. We joined the beginners’ meditation class in September of 2011. After completing the intermediate meditation class this past January, we became more involved in Ocean Sky’s activities. I was even made coordinator of our class.

My son and I felt a big change in ourselves after finishing both the Beginners’ and Intermediate classes. We gained a greater understanding about the Buddha’s teachings and being compassionate to all sentient beings. We are now more aware and mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions. We are also more able to detect which is ethical, honorable and righteous and discard which is corrupt, immoral, and unfair. The biggest change in our lives is when we understood what true nature is, and how to liberate ourselves from all misapprehensions and delusions by way of the Four Noble Truths. It is really an irrefutable fact that our deluded mind is the main obstacle to our enlightenment. The indispensable Dharma teachings of our Great Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha will put us on the right path towards freeing our minds from suffering and erroneous views.

My advice for new students is to be diligent and study, learn, and apply the teachings of Buddha in their everyday life. Practice meditation daily and focus on the present moment so that you can be awake, mindful and aware of your thoughts, words, and deeds every moment.

In this way, the mind will be pure, and you will do good deeds and have right thoughts, and will eliminate bad karma. I also want to remind them that one of our main duties is to enlighten all sentient beings who deserve all our everlasting compassion, love and affection.

We all possess a mind of a Buddha. Sooner or later we will all reach Buddhahood through diligent practice. We just need to get rid of all the pollution that clouds our mind from reaching perfect enlightenment. But how do we do it? By looking inwards and meditating deeply. And from daily meditation, we can finally control our mind to be still and focused, which is Zen.

我很慶幸能到海天禪寺來，除了有美味的素食料理之外，最重要的是法會禪修班中，師父開示的公案及故事，使我在生活中更學會謹慎，會怕種不好的因，得不好的果，更怕會墮落。

以前聽佛法開示，通常都是講講因果報應，做人的道理。但在海天上禪修班，卻能聽到佛法更深的真理。雖然有時師父講得太深，我笨笨的聽不懂，但相信多聽幾次總有聽懂的一天。

去年十月份去中台禪寺受在家菩薩戒，師父賜我法名「傳恩」，使我有說不出的法喜，令我時時提醒自己要知恩感恩報恩，提醒自己要精進，還有很多地方須要學習。感恩能在海天禪寺學佛，還有師父及師兄們的照顧。我會儘量的檢討反省，往好的方向改進，才不會枉費師父的苦口婆心。

人生有四大難得：中國難生，人身難得，大道難逢，明師難遇。而今這些難得，皆已現在眼前，若不好好把握，豈不可惜？所以我很珍惜在海天的緣份。也很感恩中台給了我們一位很有智慧的住持法師，教導我們，領導我們走向正確的成佛之路。這也是海天禪寺所有師兄們共同的心聲。

I came to Ocean Sky Chan Monastery on September 9, 2007, to fill in for a helper who took a two week vacation in her hometown. When the helper found out she was pregnant, Gina Quidlat presented me to Ms. Evelyn Chan and Abbess Jianyong as her regular replacement.

From the time I started working in the monastery, Master Jianyong also asked me to attend meditation classes in between my chores. In fact, during a Completion Ceremony, many people were surprised that I was able to complete at all.

I learned about Samsara, the causes of suffering, why life happens as it does. Once, I let Master Jianyong read a medical test result that showed a cyst in my ovary. The Abbess advised me to drink auspicious water before going to the doctor the next time. I prayed for positive results. At the clinic, the doctor examined me and told me that it was not a cyst; my ovary was alright and there was nothing to worry about. I shared this great news with the Shifu Jianyong and we were both overjoyed.

I find some time for meditation. I have visited Chung Tai Monastery twice. I was very happy to have joined the August celebration with the Tour of the Bodhi Mind. I also enjoyed the scenic places. There, in Taiwan, I could not recall even a single problem. I have been helping in the kitchen and have never gotten tired.

I would want newcomers to attend classes, to learn and maximize whatever the Shifus share. They have concern for every sentient being and look after every detail. They are good guides towards attainment of perfection.