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.

I’m really happy to come to Ocean Sky. Apart from the delicious vegetarian food, what’s important are Shifu’s Zen stories and parables during the ceremonies and Zen classes. These make me truly understand that planting bad karmic seeds will lead to bad karmic fruits. Because of this, I do not want to retrogress.

When I listened to other Dharma lectures before, all of them usually discussed cause and effect, and the principles for being a good person. However, it was only in Ocean Sky’s Zen classes that I heard the deeper meaning of the Dharma. Even if my understanding is limited, and I cannot comprehend the Abbess’ profound teachings, I still believe I will understand them one day.

Last year in October I took the Lay Bodhisattva Precepts. The Dharma Master gave me the Dharma name “Chuan En” (which means gratitude in English), and this filled me with unspeakable Dharma Joy, always reminding me of thankfulness, to be diligent, and improve many aspects of cultivation. Thanks to the cultivation in Ocean Sky, the Shifus’ and lay peoples’ care, I can now totally reform and change for the better. Accomplishing this, only then can I say that the Dharma Masters’ efforts have not been wasted.

There are four conditions that are hard to attain: to be born in a country with Buddhist teachings; to have a human body, to encounter the Buddha Way, and to meet good teachers. If we do not take advantage of these things before our eyes, that would be a shame. I treasure my affinity with Ocean Sky, and am grateful to Chung Tai who sent us a very wise Abbess, who teaches us and makes us tread the true way to Buddhahood. This is what all the lay followers of Ocean Sky feel in their hearts.

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.

Towards the end of the bitter, cold January in Taiwan, I had my first taste of the Seven-Day Chan Meditation Retreat. I immediately observed how systematic the procedures were while the activities were all carried out in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The level of experience was a notch higher as I did a lot of bowing and listened to the penetrating and hair-raising chanting and beating of drums. I can also attribute my experience to my being one with the whole Sangha. I witnessed and appreciated the entry and exit formation of about 1,000 pious looking people, all wearing black robes.

The formal lunch was done with contemplative demeanor as we were taught finer ways of eating from start to finish. Each time you bring food to your mouth, you think deeply of your blessings, the value of the food, the efforts put into its preparation, thus, not one bit should be wasted.

Every sitting meditation for me meant I had to tolerate back and leg pains. I noticed that whenever I began to relax, one of my feet would ache or when I would eventually just give up, the bell would be struck in less than a minute or so, signaling the end of the session.

The Dharma Masters reminded us that our minds must remain still and empty, devoid of delusions and other thoughts. The Grand Master warned us to disregard the various phenomena that may occur during meditation as well as to keep in mind that Zen is about getting rid of the three poisons above all else.

On the other hand, while some practitioners openly complain about the pain, the Abbot emphasized that the purpose of the seven-day meditation sessions was to basically train the Buddha Mind which comes in many names but refers to only one and the same concept—the Buddha Nature. And the lotus position can be developed through practice and can keep the body upright and stable. He explained that Nirvana or enlightenment does not happen suddenly like a strike of lighting, but may manifest through constant cultivation.

In conclusion, I have a renewed appreciation for disciplined and structured inner introspection and self awareness method and I will recommend the Chan-7 Retreat to all serious Zen practitioners for it will solidify your practice.

I read somewhere that there is an old man in each of us; that we tend to lose sight of our instincts but in each of us is an unforgotten wisdom stored up within. I wrote this bit in one of my reflections. Like a metaphor on how I see our true nature—obscured but always present.

My encounter with Buddhism began with a thought about wanting to become a Buddhist. How that thought crossed my mind I do not know but sometimes it’s the little twists in life that create the most impact.

I once asked a Master whether Buddhism was a religion or a philosophy. She said that to her, it is simply her way of life. I look back at the years past and realized she had driven her point succinctly. In principle, we learn from the Masters, then try to put into practice what we have learned; in reality though, it is easier said than done. I think what is important is that we persevere in our practice, because Buddhism, like the Dharma doors, presents itself to us in different ways with unlimited possibilities but the opportunity may not always be there. Like the Shifus always say: “cherish every moment!” Amitofo.

The Seven-Day Meditation Retreat enables one to acquire a calm and tranquil mind.

When I joined the first time, everything was so new to me. For example, we had to enter the Chan hall when the bell struck; or when we used the toilet, we had to remove the black robe. Or, the formal meal was eaten in silence, and many more. We were also doing everything according to schedule that sometimes I could hardly catch up. Even the unfamiliar accent of the Grand Master when he gave his Dharma Talk was difficult to understand.

I have since joined the Chan-7 two more times. On the third time, I was more comfortable, I had improved a lot. As I got familiar with the routine, I could relatively understand what was going on around me. My mind had become calmer and my body more relaxed.

Thus, I could easily participate in the activities right from the first incense. What was obscure before was now clearer in my mind. I came to savor every dish that was provided during the formal meal.

Despite my progress, I noticed that I was not as attentive or as compliant as during my first seven-day retreat. Because everything was familiar, I became careless and unmindful. This is one area where I feel remorseful and wish to rectify.

I encourage everyone to experience the Seven-Day Meditation and enjoy the benefits of Chan cultivation. Should you have any queries, I will sincerely and gladly do my best to help you.