I discovered Ocean Sky Chan Monastery through a flyer on free meditation class, distributed at the Tai Bun coffee shop, which is just around the corner. Emphasis is on the word “free, no expenses.” I thought that since it was free, I might as well see how a monastery taught meditation.

At first, I really felt like a stranger here, because I am neither a Buddhist nor Filipino Chinese, and because I could not understand their language. Perhaps beginners do feel insecure, or afraid to open up. It was only the Dharma Masters Jianqiang, Jianyin, Jianjun, and of course Abbess Jianshu, with their smiling faces and the ever helpful receptionists on duty like Lolita, Grace and Ben who made life easy for me.

This was the first time I attended a formal class in meditation. Just imagine doing it inside a Buddhist monastery! All along, my idea of a monastery was an enclosed compound with hundreds of priests and nuns. But then, in Ocean Sky, we only have four.

I also joined the Mandarin Class every Sunday. That way, I could understand what the others are talking about in Chinese. But mind you, I was a poor Mandarin student. I was just learning to read the Chinese pinyin and to count.

My three months here at Ocean Sky is one experience I cannot forget. It has changed my life. The lectures on Buddhism have rekindled the aspect of our relationship with our fellowmen and our standards of morality.

Christianity’s Golden rule—do not do unto others, what you do not want others to do unto you—really reminds me of the Four Tenets of Chung Tai: “ To our elders be respectful; To our juniors be kind; With all humanity be harmonious; In all endeavors be true.” The Five Precepts are also similar to Christianity’s Ten Commandments.

The Four Noble Truths about suffering and how to eradicate suffering with the Eightfold Path are topics which really needed more understanding. More so, when we encountered the Buddhist concepts of emptiness, dependent origination, no-self, causality, karma: good karma and bad karma, reincarnation, etc., the more I needed serious thinking. Sutras say:

If you want to know what you have done in the past, just look at what is happening in this life. If you want to know what will happen in the future, just look at what is being done in this life.

I never knew this free meditation class would lead me to more serious thinking about life. It rekindles in me the thirst for knowledge and more information. My new found activity has led me to keep borrowing books from the monastery’s library and keep surfing the net for things I cannot understand. I still have to a lot more to learn. Last, but not the least, I have turned vegetarian. I am now changing my life style, thanks to our Abbess and other Dharma Masters, and to Ocean Sky Chan Monastery.

Knowledge without practice is not enough for one to attain enlightenment. I realized that when I changed how I view things. Each situation became clearer in my mind. I could understand myself and everything around me better. Now, whenever an unfavourable situation comes my way, I accept it gladly, just as I do with a favourable situation. I look at these situations positively. Whenever I fall into delusions, I always remind myself to reflect inward, to look at my mind and find out where it’s coming from. It’s very important for me to always keep my awareness, to remind myself to accept my own mistakes instead of blaming others. I realized that there’s no one who could change me but myself.

To transcend any situation, we should use a compassionate heart instead of being judgemental. I learned that everything comes from our mind whether good or bad. Our actions are the manifestation of our thoughts. We need to use our mind for discernment. We have to think mindfully. With this practice of being mindful, we create good karma and prevent bad karma.

I see difficult situations as opportunities for me to practice what I’ve learned from the Buddha’s teachings taught by our Dharma Masters. When things come my way, I observe the principle of causality and follow the Eightfold Path.

My deepest gratitude to Ocean Sky Chan Monastery for giving us the lectures. I know everything has a purpose, nothing happens by accident. We can be the masters of our own minds.

I have been relatively consistent in attending classes here at Ocean Sky Chan Monastery (OSCM), but I discovered that I am not a diligent student. I have not been practicing meditation at all (except during classes), not done extra reading, nor attended half-day retreats or any other ceremonies, nor have I formally volunteered in any activity here.

My standard reason is that I have no extra time. In my experience, I should have been a dropout by this time. Yet, week after week I look forward to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Then, I would sit enthralled at Abbess’ Dharma talks about compassion without the passion, vegetarianism, compassion contemplation where one wishes one’s enemies good fortune, and attaining samatha and vipassana.

When Lally, my friend, was sidelined as coordinator this semester, I had no choice but to fill in her shoes. I’m sure I made hilarious mistakes as my focus was now divided between listening and concentrating on Abbess’ words and fumbling with the hand bell and the protocols. But time has a way of easing up these difficulties.

I am confused. More than half of my life has been spent on advocacies. While I think that is the bodhisattva nature in me, my limited knowledge of Buddhist teachings has spawned questions like can advocacies and Buddhism go along together? Underneath all the questions is the fact that I have held for the longest time a different worldview which has shaped my life radically. This worldview has similar observations of phenomena with the teachings of Buddhism, yet both come up with diametrically opposing conclusions!

So, I think these are the reasons on what’s holding me back to fully embrace Buddha’s teachings. But I am only a beginner here, not even a year into studying Buddhism. This reflection on my experiences here helped me see where I am now and how to proceed from there. This means I am really practicing meditation. I want to pursue studying here and at the same time cultivate my Buddha Nature and become a member of this community. Amitofo!

After some months of practice now, I realize how much Buddhism has affected my life and made me a more peaceful, serene person much more capable of dealing with life and all its obstacles.

I managed to gain further insights on Buddhism and try new experiences. I learnt how to forgive and let go, to be mindful, how to clear the thoughts in my mind and how to make peace with everything. I also made a number of new friends here in the monastery. I am a much more kind, compassionate and happy person because of that! Not only my thoughts and ways have changed but also my lifestyle. I come to the monastery during weekends and to volunteer some works regardless of the difficulties on my way here.

I can’t imagine anything more rewarding or fulfilling. Our journey doesn’t end on this ceremony but it’s the beginning of our journey to enlightenment.

I would like to sincerely thank the Dharma Masters for their tireless effort in teaching us the Buddhist path, the method of cultivating our mind and the spiritual development leading to deep insight into the true nature of life.

Amitofo!

In May 2012, I came to attend my first Zen class in order to learn meditation and how to control my mind. But was control necessary? My answer was a resounding “YES,” as my unruly mind kept manufacturing mostly negative and painful stories which made me suffer. It had so fed my fear, anger, guilt, greed, frustrations, and doubts that I felt the need to switch it off fast.

As the old saying goes, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Our mind is so powerful that it can make or break us. Trying to keep it still was not easy either, with its resistance to change. Nevertheless, I persevered. Putting my faith and focus on my Buddha Nature, I fairly overcame its stubbornness.

I have come to appreciate the Abbess’ Dharma talks as she explained the Buddha’s teachings in the most simple and compassionate way, making it easier to understand. The Law of Karma and Causality made me realize my present situation and to take responsibility for all my actions. Now, I am more conscious as I try to perfect my dealings with my fellow men and sentient beings. It opened my mind to the deeper understanding of my real purpose in life.

The lessons on suffering and liberation were an eye-opener. I realized that we are our own enemies as we keep ourselves bound by the preconditions of the material world or our society at large, while in truth we are really free. And we can only call ourselves categorically free if we follow the Enlightened Path, both in theory and most importantly in practice. There is no other way.

As we anchor ourselves on the Buddha’s teachings and take our refuge in the Three Jewels—The Buddha, The Dharma and The Sangha—we must become the Path. As stated in an ancient scripture, “In order to tread the Path, One must become the Path Itself.”

Finally, To the Venerable Wei Chueh, the Abbess, the Masters and all the volunteers, for the heartfelt compassion and sincerest dedication to enlighten all sentient beings and those who come your way—Thank you beyond words.

Amitofo!

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.