I first enrolled in the beginners’ class last year but failed to complete the course due to conflicts in schedule. This time, the timing was so perfect for me to re-enter the monastery when the beginners’ class was opened on a weekday, and I had just broken up from a relationship three months prior.

It was as if the entire universe conspired to have me back in Ocean Sky again, to let me mend my wounds under the guidance of Buddhist wisdom and to finish the course.

Looking back, I’ve realized that what matters most is not what was lost from my relationship, but what has been left for me to nurture. Taking Buddhism classes and practising meditation aided my recovery. The lectures were theories that I could apply to my emotional problems. It goes with the saying that “you easily learn your lessons when you are going through difficulties.”

With enough compassion and peace of mind, anger and bitterness naturally disappears. The need to talk about your anger is diminished.

I have grown so much in the past three months and learned to seek wisdom from those who truly possess it.

The past three formative months moulded my character to become a better individual.

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!

I have been here in Ocean Sky Chan Monastery for almost a year now. At the start of our advanced class, I was asked to be the class coordinator. I was very reluctant to accept it, not sure if I would be able to give my time. I was also asked if I wanted to try to volunteer as a Bodhi Star assistant teacher (AT). Then, knowing that the Mandarin class would also be on Sunday, I thought, “why not also sign-up?”

All those commitments, plus the fact that I just got a new job and had other side projects, would have been a very crazy idea back then.

But being here now for the completion ceremony, I could say these past three months have been the most fulfilling so far in my journey here at Ocean Sky.

The experience has taught me to be grateful to all the volunteers that give their time, effort, and talent to the monastery. Before, I didn’t really mind the volunteers that much. I was just satisfied to receive. Being a volunteer opened my mind and heart to be grateful and appreciative to all the people that make Ocean Sky run.

As a new volunteer, I felt humbled and learned patience especially from the elder volunteers. Whether it’s teaching the Bodhi Star kids or playing the Wooden Fish during the Heart Sutra or teaching Mandarin, the volunteers are very good and very patient with the juniors. Thank you!

Lastly, by becoming a volunteer, I have felt closer to the people at the monastery. The volunteers, the students, the other coordinators, kids, Shifus, they have become friends and family. I hope to be with them more in the next decade of Ocean Sky.

I have only been with Ocean Sky for less than a year. But without a doubt, I will definitely continue to support the monastery as I go along my journey. Amitofo!

My husband, Mario Suangco† and I were both seekers of truth. We have been to different religious groups looking for our identity, mission, and the true meaning of life.

Mario was first introduced to Buddhism in 2003 at the Universal Wisdom Foundation, from where he found out about Ocean Sky. At that time, Ocean Sky was just new. He attended the evening class and discussed things with the Abbot, talking about different subjects and aspects of Buddhism. Mario was always close with the previous Abbot, and was in constant communication with him even after his term in the Philippines ended.

Ocean Sky Chan Monastery transformed Mario into a better person. Through his meditation classes, chanting of mantras, and recitation of sutras, he got the answers he was seeking for. His faith became even deeper. He became humbler, and more appreciative, and grateful. He was calmer, more forgiving and kinder to everyone, especially our children. He recited the Heart Sutra and meditated everyday. He became more detached from material things. He also ate less meat afterwards, him being a bodybuilding advocate who was so used to a protein-rich diet filled with meat.

Mario had always been a helpful and trustworthy friend to his classmates, business partners, and co-workers. Every time someone asked for his help, he would go the extra mile to assist without expecting anything in return. Even during our family’s financial crisis, he still used his free time to do volunteer work and attend classes in Ocean Sky. He was present in every activity and even pitched in on short notice for other volunteers who could not come. He never complained of hardships or indifference. Mario often told me that he loved to be at Ocean Sky because it was where he found peace and joy in volunteering.

If he has a bigger and more important role to accomplish in his next life, I think he has prepared himself well for it.

Life and Time are the world’s two best teachers. Life teaches us to make good use of time, and time teaches us the value of life.

He will always be in my heart.

To a great friend and husband, and father to our children, Mario, peace be with you.

Amitofo.

I came to Ocean Sky at a time when I was thinking of what to do with my life. But before that, there were some areas in my life that I needed to put back on the right track, to put in order. I was aware that my inner self was going to be my source of strength and stability before starting anything new. I started taking important steps to do this and things seemed to do well until I faced the biggest and most difficult task: learning to forgive. Yes, I sought help but it seemed that the pain would remain forever in my heart. That was my state of being before I entered Ocean Sky.

Since the first session, Zen meditation became my daily source of strength and stability. The lectures clarified what areas in my life needed some attention and became a source of deep reflection for change. I became more alert, more positive in my thinking and feelings. And yes, the emotional pain that made it difficult for me to forgive has started to lighten up. My mind became more alert, even my own son noticed moments of distraction are now gone. Creativity and enthusiasm have come back, and I am really happier now.

In my three months of study, there were two high points that I would like to share with you. While I gained many benefits from the classes, the next step was to explore the other activities offered at Ocean Sky. On February 12, I attended the half-day retreat. Since this was my first time to attend the activity, I carefully followed the instructions and made sure that I stayed silent. While standing before the formal meal, as we silently said our vows, a subtle, gentle, yet powerful feeling of self- respect embraced my whole being. Then I became aware that I have not respected the sentient beings in the way that I was experiencing at that moment. I was moved to tears. I silently made a vow not to eat anything that is killed. When craving to eat meat comes, as it had been a habit for many years, I just go back to this powerful experience. This also brought healing to my broken relationships in the past, the return of my self- respect and my respect for them.

Another high point happened in the next half-day retreat in March 25, 2012. I realized that each and every activity that we were doing then, the chanting, prostration, the silences, and the meals are done with sacredness. That made me aware of the kind of life we have outside Ocean Sky, that everything we have, material resources, relationships, skills, time, our very life is sacred and have to be treated as such.

My being here is not an accident. It was meant to be. The new learning and realizations, and putting them into practice will be easier while being in this supportive community, the Sangha.

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.