传皈和一般土生土长的华侨一样，生长在菲律宾华裔的家庭。虽然每逢周末，会陪信奉佛教的双亲去佛寺礼佛，但当时连母亲口中的观世音菩萨和佛寺大雄宝殿的三尊佛像都分不清楚！直到二○一三年，家父不幸往生，两年后慈母亦辞世而去。家人尊重双亲以佛教方式举办后事。做七法会期间，恭诵《地藏经》，但对于经文，我虽认识其字却不解其义，以此因缘进入佛门，在海天禅寺上课。

　　传皈几十载的亲情，在短短三年内顿失摰爱双亲，痛不欲生。悲痛的心情，幸遇佛法、在禅寺听经闻法，以及师父的关心安慰和慈悲的指导下，慢慢理解世间的无常。原来，除了色身父母应该敬养外，尚有更重要的法身父母要护持和供养。

　　这四年来，在海天禅寺打坐、上课、诵经、修行，是传皈这一生中最大的转捩点！急躁不耐烦的脾气，在师父开示的平常心中柔和下来。平时得理不饶人的个性，被课程所教的包容心、慈悲心感化，渐渐学会宽恕别人。原来不持瞠恨之心，是解脱人间痛苦之良药！

　　亲友们看到自己的改变，感到十分惊讶！非但如此，我慢慢学会凡事不计较，自我检讨、惭愧忏悔。传皈除了受三皈五戒，也在二○一六年底受菩萨戒。法师鼓励我们，除了持守清净的戒律，还要修自利利他的菩萨行。我开始学习关心亲戚、朋友、同学，甚至关怀未曾相识的师兄们。尤其对病重生离死别之事，尽量抽空去抚慰及帮忙。法师非常慈悲，精心安排居士们轮流在禅寺当义工，修福修慧。传皈在学习广结善缘中，有很大的收获，真正体会到帮助别人的确是快乐之本。虽布施从不求回报，但最终福报还是回归于己！多朋友少敌人的日子，原来是这麽轻松愉快！

　　几十年来的习气，当然不能在短短的这几年去除。尤其在苦海无边的世间，平时所面临的十之八九都是不如意的事，经常生起非善之念。幸好师父的教诲铭记在心，次次唤醒传皈的反省、检讨、惭愧、忏悔，恶念随即转成善念。凡夫俗子的执着太多，传皈的成长，是在一对为家庭付出身命的双亲扶养下长大。此生虽很有福报，但对亲情的情执，尚在学佛中一点一滴地学习放下！

　　非常感恩此生有幸能做禅宗弟子、有福报亲近惟觉安公老和尚为法忘躯所成就的清净中台禅寺，还有日夜无休为众生慈悲指引的善知识－－老和尚及诸位法师们，传皈无以为报。希望日后有更多因缘和福报在禅寺用功学佛、持戒修行、护持道场、永不退转！

Reflections

By Betty Lim

　　I was born and raised in a Filipino-Chinese family. Although I did accompany my parents to visit and pay respect in Buddhist temples every weekend, at that time, I could not differentiate between the three Buddha statues in the main hall from Guanyin Bodhisattva which I heard Mom often mentioned. In 2013, Dad passed away, and two years later followed by my Mom. We followed the burial service in Buddhist way out of the respect for my parents. During the 49 days of mourning, we chanted Amitabha Sutra which I found interesting yet difficult to understand. That was when I decided to attend classes in Ocean Sky Chan Monastery.

　　After decades of living with and taking care of my parents, their sudden departure drove me to feel deep sorrow, anxieties, hatred, and frustration. I felt life had become meaningless and subsequently lost my purpose. Luckily, at that time, I had just started my classes learning Buddhism in Ocean Sky.

　　Under the compassionate guidance, comfort and care of the Dharma Masters, I learned about impermanence in this world. I also realized that apart from being grateful to my dear parents who brought me into this world and raised me, I also have an ultimate important duty: to make offerings to and respect my Dharma Parents, i.e., the Three Jewels, and to support and protect Buddhist temples.

　　My four years of study in Ocean Sky, such as joining meditation classes, chanting sutras, cultivations, and attending ceremonies and so forth, have resulted to a big turning point in my life. My impatient hot temper has tamed and cooled down through the practice of calm mind taught in classes. I used to be intolerant, unforgiving and uncompromising. Little by little, the teachings of compassion in class have made me learn to forgive, understand and tolerate others. I realize the best way to get rid of sufferings is to let go of all hatred, greed and all kind of emotions and attachments.

　　In fact, my relatives and friends are so surprised to see the big change in me, even more astonished to find I am now introspective, self-repentant and non-complaining! I have taken the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, and at the end of 2016, I also took the Lay Bodhisattva Precepts. Lay Bodhisattva Precepts, as guided by Dharma Masters, are observed not only to keep pure precepts, but also to benefit others as well as myself. I am now able to extend my concern to my relatives, friends and even the Dharma brothers whom I barely know, and to comfort and offer help especially to the sick and the departed ones. Our compassionate Dharma Masters intentionally arrange schedules for volunteer works in the temple for everyone to take turns in cultivating merits and wisdom. I am lucky to be one of them. In the process of forming good affinity with others, I can feel true happiness within me in helping others. Although I never expect anything in return, surprisingly, the incredible merits have just bounced back to me! The more friends and less enemies means lots of relaxation and joys in life!

　　It is indeed difficult for me to reverse my decades-long bad habits. Given the bad influences in this sinful and suffering world, every time I am faced with unfavorable incident, I would be stricken with a bad thought. However, I would constantly remind myself that I have to apply the Buddha's teachings of compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness, and to look at myself, to examine my actions, to feel remorseful and to repent. Thereafter, I would immediately switch to good thoughts. I still find it difficult to let go of my attachment and love for my departed parents who had sacrificed their whole life for me. However, I have confidence that in the process of learning Buddhism, I will be able to overcome and let go gradually.

　　It is indeed the best merit in this life to become a Zen disciple, and I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our dear Founding Patriarch Grand Master Wei Chueh, who had devoted and contributed his life to building a very solemn and pure Chung Tai Chan Monastery, a perfect place for meditation and cultivation. Also to all Dharma Masters for their untiring efforts in preaching and teaching us. I have nothing to repay them, except to stay diligent in my study of Buddhism, forming greater affinity with all sentient beings, and strictly keeping all precepts and supporting Buddhist temples!