Among the things I learned from the classes was non-attachment. It was emphasized throughout the teachings as a basic cause of suffering. Another is to be compassionate to all beings. In the cycle of Samsara, it is important for us to help others alleviate suffering through this simple practice. Great changes occurred to me through my involvement, and I am able to practice in real life what was taught by the Abbess. I now deal with others by reflecting and contemplating on the teachings. There are a lot more things which were taught to us, but the biggest transformation in me was that I became more compassionate towards beings. In understanding that we all suffer, and that we cannot be complacent watching others suffer more, compassion with genuine intention is essential and should be practiced at all times. This is one of the greatest things that I learned in Buddhism. I also learned that external objects are also impermanent, thus they cannot provide us true happiness. Since we are so used to finding our source of happiness in external objects, we forget to watch our actions and thoughts. True happiness can be realized through non-attachment and mastery of the mind by practicing meditation and study of Buddhism. We must continue to practice, as we go forth on our way to liberation.

It may be difficult at first to accept the teachings of Buddha, but my advice to newcomers would be for them to always keep an open mind, and to always reflect and apply the teachings in one’s life. (TOP)

It was in 2008 when my wife started attending the meditation classes in Ocean Sky. I had just been laid off from work and was devastated. My life had no concrete direction and was just making ends meet with a little savings. The little business that I started wasn’t making enough to support my family. But I still held on. My wife was busy going to her meditation class and taking care of our only daughter. After almost a year, our business was not doing well, no matter how hard I struggled and worked.

Each time we met during dinner, my wife would start meals by silently making an offering to the Three Jewels which I didn’t understand. She then kept talking about meditation. On weekends, she would even take our daughter to the monastery to join the kids’ class. They seemed very happy, and it didn’t really bother me. My faith in the Catholic Church had deepened when Mari-Len battled cancer for two years and was finally cleared. I prayed the rosary everyday and devoted time to the Black Nazarene of Quiapo (a Christian saint popular in the Philippines). Mari-Len’s study of Buddhism in Ocean Sky didn’t really interest me, as long as we were able to go to Mass on Sundays. But somewhere at the back of my mind, I was confused as to why my wife was dividing her time between two religions.

Then, things started to pick up at work. When I told my wife about the good days, she would simply reply that it was good karma. By this time, she was doing a lot of volunteer work in the monastery. Most of the time, she helped out in decorating and even became a receptionist. She said that the good business of ours was a result of merits obtained through meditation and service. For me, it was just coincidence.

Then one day, I received a call from my former boss to go work for him again. When I told Mari-Len the good news, my wife simply replied: “Now do you believe me?” It suddenly made sense. Immediately she offered for me to be a benefactor in a ceremony in Ocean Sky. It was a repentance ceremony and lasted for about four hours. The chanting was in Chinese, and I was bored. But the food was so delicious. All the Dharma Masters and lay people were kind and accommodating.

One thing that I couldn’t forget was how former Abbess Master Jianyong welcomed me with such warmth, that I finally understood why my wife so enjoyed her time in Ocean Sky. I also met the president, Albert Tan, who told me about the benefits of learning Buddhism and how it had changed his life. That was a new beginning for me. I started attending classes and learned about the teachings of Buddha which I applied to my everyday life.

Life has never been the same again since we adapted Buddhism into our family life. Then things got better when our business started to expand. With much gratitude, we continue to support Ocean Sky in our little ways. We know that challenges will still come our way, but we shall be able to cope because we understand that everything is impermanent. We know we will be safe as long as we have Buddhism and Ocean Sky behind us. (TOP)

My mom, Raceli, came here first in January 2010. On her second visit, she brought us along to share with us her wonderful discovery. I was 17 going on 18. At first, I was hesitant to participate. Sitting meditation was difficult to bear, I could feel the pain and during lectures, I found the voice of the former Abbess Jianyong so musical that more often than not, I fell asleep. To avoid further embarrassment, I excused myself from coming and went on with my regular life while my mother and little sister Caitlyn continued on.

As a teenager and at the age of puberty, I am also searching for my place under the sun and trying to prove something to myself. The transition from childhood to a young adult is sometimes confusing. The answers to my questions seem to be so remote that even my mother’s guidance would not register in my mind. Then, in the middle of the same year, I decided to come back to Ocean Sky to listen to the lectures and do meditation, because my mother would often (without fail) share with us what she learned every week and told me that life’s answers are all here.

I even became an Assistant Teacher through the gentle invitation of the former Abbess Jianding and I took that responsibility very seriously. I had fun interacting with the Bodhi Stars that at times they also confide to me. I appreciate the warm and sincere kindness of Master Jianyin and later Master Jianjun, the gracious Master Jianqiang. Our beloved current Abbess Jianshu has a very big heart and is full of wisdom. I had a precious rare chance to talk to her and by just being in her presence made me feel everything is alright and in order. She made herself available to everybody that even children had a grand time talking to her.

One of the biggest factors that opened my eyes and mind as well as lighted my path was when I talked to the former Abbess Jianyong. She talked to me about the sacrifices and rewards particularly of a mother. That was my big “AHA! Moment.” Suddenly, I could see that the giant door in my mind burst open! I quickly flashed back to all the lectures when Shifu talked about karma, the three poisons and attachments. It gave me a wake-up call and all of a sudden everything seemed to be very bright and very clear, like a fresh and sunny spring morning. I am a new man! (TOP)

Well, I was raised up in a Daoist/Buddhist family although we really didn’t have the right understanding of what it was about. We were just like the normal guys out there who go to visit the temples, pray to Buddha to give us good fortune and good health. In return, we would make some donations, light some incense, and then make some food and flower offerings. This was how I was exposed to Buddhism during my early childhood.

Then I was baptized as a Catholic during my early childhood, and gained more understanding of the Christian faith when I started doing Bible studies when I was in high school.

I was a very ego-centric person. But, after Ocean Sky Chan Monastery reintroduced me to Buddhism and a few years of Buddhist study, I think I have toned down a big chunk of that ego. Before, I used to blame others for all the bad things that happened in my life. Sometimes, I thought it was just simply God’s will. But when good things happened—I took all the credits. After attending Buddhism classes at Ocean Sky, I now know that it’s the Law of Karma at work. We simply reap what we sow. We have to take responsibility for each action we take.

I think I was changed by my involvement in the activities here at Ocean Sky. I was very impatient before, but now I have improved a lot. I now know that there is a time for everything and that patience brings out the desired results.

When I got sick with gallstones in 2010, I encountered so much pain that I thought it was going to be my last night here on earth. I called out to all the saints, Boddhisatvas and even Buddhas to ease my pain. But all to no avail. During those moments, every second lasted as long as half-a-day. It was like going through hell. Time froze. Out of desperation, I decided to let go.

It was then that I realized that everything in this world is of no importance to me. Unexpectedly, after letting go, the pain became much more bearable. After almost three weeks in the hospital, I had a new perspective of life. I was no longer the old Ronnie that always wanted to take full control of everything. The “me” in me had decreased considerably. I already knew that I am not the master of the universe. I am just a tiny speck in the dust of life.

Somebody once said that Buddhism can accommodate all religions. I believe that. Anyone who studies it can greatly enhance his understanding of his own religion. I gained a deeper understanding of the Christian Bible after taking up Buddhism classes at Ocean Sky.

(TOP)