I have lived in Glen Iris for 27 years and have been attending the Bao Lin Monastery for 2 1/2 years. Attending weekly Dharma talks and meditation has been extremely useful in my life and has made me more tolerant towards others and less reactive to the adverse situations that present themselves in the usual course of living.

　　The most beneficial aspect of my involvement with the monastery has been the meditation regime. If done regularly it allows you to perceive your thoughts as they arise and see the motivation behind your actions. I have found the half day and full day meditations are great as the cumulative effect is quite rewarding.

　　It takes courage and discipline to study Buddhism as the principles do not always match one's current frame of thinking; but I think that is one of helpful parts of the learning something new ― you don't benefit if you don't challenge your thoughts and change. Having said that it is also a relief to find a lot of things that took up my thought processes in the past have less importance and less effect on me.

　　I think my family has also benefited from my involvement because I am calmer and appreciate what is it front of me. for example rather than thinking, thinking, thinking of the future and what I will be doing, or not doing in five, ten years I get a lot more ̏now˝ time pleasure. This can be shared with my partner and child in a way that is tangible.

　　Finally let me say that I have a deep respect for the Abbess and shifus for their discipline and selfless service they provide in Glen Iris. It is always a pleasure to see one of the shifus.

　　（我住在Glen Iris已经二十七年了，亲近宝林禅寺也有两年半的时间。每周上禅修班对我的生活十分有用处，对他人我变得更宽容，日常生活中遭逢逆境时，也不再那么冲动。

　　学佛，让我受益最多的是禅修。倘若经常静坐，它能让你一起心动念就觉察到，并认清行为背后的动机。我发现半日禅和一日禅修真的很棒，因为其累积的效益是很可观的。

　　佛法和世间的思维模式不尽相同，所以学佛是需要勇气与纪律的，我想这也是有助于学习新事物的要素之一。也就是说，如果不挑战并改变自己原有的想法，就无法从中获益。话说回来，学佛后有一种如释重负的感觉，因为过去脑袋里装的许多念头已不再那么重要、那么影响我。

　　还有，学佛后我的家人也得益，因为我比以前更平静、更珍惜眼前的一切。举例而言，与其念头一直萦绕在未来五年后、十年后要做什么、不做什么，我获得了更多活在当下的喜悦。这种真切的喜悦可以和我的同修及孩子分享。

　　最后想说的是，对住持法师及常住法师的修持与以及他们在Glen Iris的无私奉献，弟子有着深深的敬意。只要看到法师，心里总是感到欢喜。）