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.

Whenever I tell people I’m having meditation classes here in Ocean Sky, the usual response I get is “Why?” I give out many reasons such as to be able to have a clear mind without attachments, but many of them don’t understand. It is really hard to answer this question because a person needs to actually be here to hear and understand the lessons to feel that the real question is not why, but why not.

Before coming to the temple, I cannot say that my attitude had been very pleasant. I was moody and easily got stressed. I was not mindful of other sentient beings, either I ignored their suffering and sometimes I even added to their suffering. I was aware that my attitude was bad, but I found no reason to change it. When my friends asked me to come to Ocean Sky, I realized the need to change my life for the better.

After two semesters here in Ocean Sky, I have learned many things: the purpose of being mindful and how it can help everyone to escape the cycle of rebirth. It has changed my outlook in life. I have learned to take care and tolerate other sentient beings. I don’t look down on others but help them improve their lives. Helping others attain our common goal is satisfying not because this might attain some good karma in the future but because it is heartwarming to see their smiles. These are just some of the things I was missing out by acting selfishly in the past.

I have also learned that everything happens due to karma. All bad things are caused by my bad actions and all good things are due to my good actions. So whatever happens in my life, I just accept it because all of it was due to my past deeds. Accepting everything and thinking that they are impermanent prevents me from doing further harm to others and to myself as well. Still sometimes, I forget and return to my old ways, but I try to do everything one step at a time. I cannot change overnight, but with practice, I can slowly be a person that might someday be able to do what I have not yet done in my past life and be enlightened.

I am so thankful that I had the chance to be here and had finished two classes in Ocean Sky. The first step to be a better person is to realize one’s wrongdoings. The lessons in Ocean Sky can help in realizing them. After realizing them, one should make sure not to repeat them. The practice does not end today with this completion exercise but must continue onwards and must be applied in my life. I also hope that we could all stay here and learn more because there is no end in learning. Even if we think we have known everything, there are still many things out there that we are not aware of. Let’s all help each other in attaining our common goal. Amitofo!

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.

I have been here in Ocean Sky Chan Monastery for more than 2 years now.

The first Sunday that I saw my mom all dressed up going somewhere without us, I asked her if I could come. She told me that she would still have to find out if I could be allowed. Upon coming home, she gave me the good news that kids like me are most welcome, so I looked forward to my first visit and experience the place she visited. The truth was I didn’t have the slightest idea where I would be going.

When I arrived at Ocean Sky, I was overwhelmed and very shy and didn’t want my mom to be out of my sight, so I told her “I am never coming back. Period!”

Every Saturday morning, I would pretend to be asleep. My mom didn’t buy all my tricks and whining. She had her way and forced me to attend the Bodhi Star classes, even if it meant carrying me to the van. According to my mom, she strongly and faithfully believed that Buddhism would be very good for my life. The truth was I didn’t know what she was talking about at that time.

As a compromise, I asked her to become an AT, so that I could see and be with her every time, to which she obliged. I was surprised that she was good at inventing games for children.

I became more relaxed as I personally experienced the warmth, sincerity and kindness of all the Shifus and the sweetness of Teacher Marita and Teacher Lolita in particular, most especially the compassionate and subtle mentoring of the former Abbess Jianding, as Bodhi Star Adviser then. With her most warm and reassuring smile, I felt very secure; but of course I love all the ATs and all the volunteers.

After more than 2 years, I truly and really do understand what my mom meant. Now, at age 10, I feel that I totally understand what Buddhism is all about. I realize that we have to take care of our thoughts because everything starts with our thoughts.

As I attended the beginners’ and intermediate classes, I learned the deeper reason why we have to calm our minds and the importance of meditation which we routinely do in the Bodhi Star classes.

I have observed that there are many similarities between the Catholic and Buddhist teachings and that makes me even happier, because I am not torn apart. They complement each other.

Whenever there are activities and ceremonies at the monastery, I always happily volunteer to come along. Although this time around, if we came in late, it’s because I really overslept. It’s not intentional anymore. When I would surprisedly tell her “Mom, we’re late!”. She would calmly say “I know…”

Having said so many things, it’s just the tip of the iceberg or a drop in the vast ocean, because I know that many beautiful things are still bound to unfold with the passing of time in our study here in Ocean Sky.

To our elders here, we know that what matters to you, the most, is that, your love, dedication and sacrifices do bear beautiful fruits in the Bodhi Stars’ lives.

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 often times 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.

Beau dela Cruz

Before I came to Ocean Sky, my understanding of different religions, except Catholicism, had only been through text, research, and analysis. Only two months ago was I able to immerse myself in a new religion, that being Zen Buddhism. At first, I thought that Buddhism might be a cult, or even something else. But through Shifus’ instructions and my meditation, I arrived at the conclusion that Buddhism is the search of the “True Mind.”

As for my personal experience, I found myself lost after my honorable discharge from the Philippine Marines, and my abruptly suspending Flying School for a year. I was a recluse during that time, dealing with daily and hourly suffering. I simply became an urban hermit, avoiding social and even family contact. I finally reached out to a hypnotherapist three months ago. I thought maybe I should immerse myself in the promise of liberation through disciplined Buddhist practices. Through the internet, I found Ocean Sky.

Let me share what I learned from the lessons in the monastery. One, Buddhism is both thoughtfulness and thoughtlessness, and thus, is empty. Second, attachment is a cause of suffering. After a long ride in the desert, we must also let our camel go. Third, meditation is not only done by sitting down or walking around clockwise. It is also done in every present thing we do. Whether we breathe, jog, swim, or swing a sword like the samurai or even in anything we do, we can meditate simultaneously. Lastly, one cannot regret or miss the past. This is because we have no control over the past. One cannot also be worried or anxious of the future. This is because we cannot plan for all known and unknown circumstances we will come across. What we can only do is excel, appreciate, focus on, and live in the present.

For all of this help, kindness, and the generosity of knowledge and charity, I thank you dearest Abbess, Shifus, and all those who keep coming to and supporting Ocean Sky. It is with great gratitude and humility that you have already guided me this far.