ATs and Volunteers
My son (Paul Wencie, 10 years old) and I joined the Bodhi Star Summer Camp to find out what it was all about, and to experience the activities offered. I felt so blessed that I was assigned as one of the ATs (Assistant Teacher).
During the Summer Camp, I observed a change in my son. First, he got up early – he was the one waking me up so we could get ready early to go to Ocean Sky; he was always excited. Second, he participated in all the activities and games when it was never in his nature to do that. Even at home, whenever we had visitors or family gatherings, he would lock himself inside his room. But in Ocean Sky Summer Camp, I saw how happy he was, which he had never shown before. Then I remembered what he told me a few years back, that he wanted to experience what a NORMAL LIFE is like. That was because when he was at home, he just study, and when at play, he plays by himself.
Paul Wencie is a very timid boy. But in Ocean Sky, his shyness seems to recede.
He likes to eat rice with soup and bananas. At breakfast, he eats only bread. He has simple tastes and never eats meat. He does not dare hurt animals or insects. He will call me whenever he sees insects, rats, sometimes frogs. He can empathize with the animals when he sees them suffering. His grandmother once commented that he might one day become a PRIEST. But I objected; I said he will become a MONK or maybe he was once a MONK.
After their completion last Sunday (April 23, 2017), the following day, as soon as he woke up, my son told his Mama that he was going to return to the Temple (Ocean Sky) the following Saturday. His Mama was very pleasantly surprised.
MY EXPERIENCE AS AN AT
While I was watching the children’s happy smiles and overflowing joy, I felt a little envious. I told myself, it’s so good to be a child again, most especially if there is an OCEAN SKY that gives guidance and inspires joy. I’ve reached my present age without having joined any activities like this. I spent my younger years on the streets engaged in brawls and other similar mischiefs. I was not a good boy in my youth; my life then was filled with shenanigans. In the middle of Summer Camp, a thought occurred to me: The once ‘bad boy’ is now an AT, teaching and guiding children to become good. If my childhood friends were to find out what I am doing now in a Buddhist monastery, they would most likely laugh at me. But it’s okay. I will tell them: MY MIND HAS NOW AWAKENED AFTER LONG YEARS OF BEING dormant, AND THIS MIGHT BE THE START OF MY TRUE LIFE.
My son Paul Vincent was also an AT volunteer. During the camp, he told me, he didn’t understand or couldn’t do what the other ATs were doing- being kind to the children, dancing, singing or playing games, because he was not used to doing these things. I told him: ‘We need to do these things in order to make your little brother happy, for the sake of the children participating in the Camp, and for your future children, because later on, you too will become a father and these are what you will do to teach your own children.’
One Bodhi Star asked me if I have personally seen a real buddha. My answer was “YES”. The girl smiled and asked again: “Where did you see this buddha?” And my answer was… “It is YOU”. She was surprised and then laughed. I told her to just continue attending classes at Ocean Sky and to listen to Shifu’s Dharma Talk, so that she will realize what I am saying is the Truth.
Message to ALL BODHI STARS:
All the things that we received from Ocean Sky, like bags, school supplies, toys and many more, should be treasured. Use them wisely until they become old, and then there is no more.
But for the FIVE VIRTUES (Respect, Kindness, Harmony, Sincerity, and Thankfulness) that you learned in Ocean Sky- if you keep on using them in your daily lives, they will become shining bright. These virtues will bring out your goodness. Then you will become good children. And, the path to Buddhahood will become complete.