Vegetarianism is a challenge for everyone, especially for us Filipinos who are used to eating lots of tasty and rich foods that satisfy both palate and stomach.

As a vegetarian since the age of 17, I knew spiritual aspirants find the practice as both challenging and rewarding. I started to be a vegetarian upon the prodding of a medical doctor who asked me to try it for better meditation. This was difficult because our family would eat together during meals. I learned how to cook my own food the moment I decided to be vegetarian. I also stopped cooking dishes with garlic and onions. I stuck to the practice as I experienced the positive effects of vegetarianism on my meditation and spirituality. More than just being a health fad, vegetarianism became a basic component of my lifestyle. On the first month, my diet was meat-free as I discarded pork, beef, poultry and all meats that I used to eat with my family. Then, I let go of all seafood including shrimps, lobsters, and crabs, which were my favorite. The last to go that turned me full, strict vegetarian were eggs, even though they were easy to cook.

Using the food cycle as one reason for eating other life forms, the meat industry continually raises animals primarily as a source of food, and oftentimes kills them with cruelty. In Buddhism, “compassion to all sentient beings” is emphasized and supports the precept of No Killing. The Sixth Patriarch Huineng, in his deep respect for life, would free animals from their nets after they were caught by the hunters. To have freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth, one must be free from any motivation of harming and killing. When we value life, not only our own but everyone else’s, then we can truly meditate and appreciate the essence of life. (TOP)

Meditation is a basic component and most important activity at Ocean Sky Chan Monastery. Every class has some time for meditation. This is what I particularly liked as a regular activity. Thus, there was a time when I decided to attend Saturday and Sunday classes so that I could learn the lessons in as many classes as possible and maximize my meditation practice.

From the Buddhist meditation techniques that I learned, I liked the Seven-rounds Compassion Contemplation as a way of letting go and forgiving the people who may have hurt me, one way or another. We allow ourselves to be cleansed of hatred and negative feelings and thoughts in the process. We also offer merits to all our ancestors, next generations, and even those whom we have to forgive.

There are many other meditation techniques that one can learn in Ocean Sky Chan Monastery, for it offers a favorable environment for those who are serious in their practice. The Dharma Masters or Shifus never get tired of teaching through classes and constant interaction with the volunteers and students who visit the monastery day in and out. Thus, I am amazed that despite their busy routines, the Shifus still find time to chant in the regular evening ceremonies. (TOP)

I came to know about Ocean Sky Chan Monastery because of an ad in a newspaper. I was clueless of its existence. I only wanted to learn Zen meditation, a fascination that I had as a Catholic novice long ago.

As a mature adult, I continue to nourish my spiritual life. This is why meditation has become a need for me. It is my vehicle for the journey into my inner life. This inward quest is life-changing; it is a day-to-day commitment, a responsibility that only I can do. It is an awareness, a conscious nurturing of the mind. I yearn for a world that considers the need for an inner change. For me, it is necessary and urgent.

The changes in my inner life were indeed radical. Being radical made the changes thorough and complete. If I have a healthy, authentic inner life, then I would know how to serve others with compassion. It is a clear path and I choose to walk on this path.

Being in Ocean Sky Chan Monastery is like coming home to continue the life I had started long ago. I would like to express my profound gratitude to the Abbess for enlightening me. “Why did it take me so long?” was my question to her. “It’s your karma.” she replied. (TOP)

Buddhist ceremonies affect all our senses: smell— incense is burnt as an offering to the Buddha; hearing—chanting goes on the whole time; sight— candles on small goblets are lit as offerings; touch—the blankets, mats and cushion for sitting down during meditation are soft to the skin; and taste—vegetarian food is served after the ceremony.

Every encounter of mine at Ocean Sky is a lesson on being and becoming. My being is strengthened as I learn to focus on the more important matters that I have to attend to, instead of running helter-skelter, trying to search which activity or which item is more important to be confronted for the day. Because of the presence of very helpful Shifus, and volunteers, my being is now undergoing a healthy development.

In particular, my artistic bent was given a healthy outlet when I volunteered to facilitate drama classes for the Bodhi youth. The youths were so eager to learn about expressing themselves through acting. At the same time, they also learn meditation and Buddhist etiquette from Shifu Jianqiang

Now, “becoming” is the regeneration of hope in myself, and in communities—the meditation group in the Monastery, as well as in the place where I live —where now I feel relaxed and related in a humane, not obligatory, way of being a citizen of this country (a highly political view of issues of relationships), and of the world. As a human being, I hope that everyone can make a difference in this planet, so that it can be a peaceful and harmonious place for everyone, all sentient beings, including animals and plants. (TOP)