二○一二年一月同修過世，留給我和六個小孩的只有悲傷和痛苦，一切就像世界末日，用「黑暗」來形容生命最谷底的時刻，再適合也不過了。在我終日以淚洗面之際，阿姨對我說 :「無論你哭得多傷心，你的同修也回不來。」如同一大桶冷水澆在身上，我突然醒了。

　　二○一四年，有陌生人邀我去海天禪寺上初級禪修班，佛法的智慧讓人驚訝，自己也深受啟發。從那天起，每次上課都很高興，每一堂課都不想錯過，在菲律賓能找到這麼棒的禪寺實在太難得了。禪寺有太多可以學習的，我總是把握因緣增長更多智慧，如同大夢初醒般，這一生從來沒有這麼有活力、這麼快樂、這麼清明。

　　海天禪寺教我凡事都用正念去思惟、面對，慢慢靜下心來，對事情的看法和體會也隨之提升，開始懂得關心別人的需要，以慈悲心對待眾生，並且感到有責任去幫助別人。事實上，發心付出並不辛苦也不勉強，反而讓我很滿足、很快樂，只要禪寺有需要，我一定全力以赴。在辦公室或家裡，我會分享法師的開示，也會邀請同事與朋友上禪修班。

　　當您為別人點一盞燈，自己也被照亮了。從發心中，自己不只是布施者，也是受益者，因為布施的時候，自己也蒙獲其益，利他就是自利，從禪寺學到這個道理，改變了我。在為他人付出時，我看到自己不再疲倦、抱怨、懈怠，反而面帶微笑，此後，常常覺得有種難以形容的法喜洋溢心中。

　　雖然我不期待任何回報，也不計較布施多少，但我相信所得到的回報，遠遠超過所付出的千百倍。我非常幸運、非常有福報，擁有家人及親友滿滿的關愛，也很滿意所擁有的一切，我應該繼續為利益眾生而行菩薩道，不論何時何地，只要做得到，我都會盡力去做。

　　在生命的最谷底，被黑暗籠罩時，很感恩為我點燈的那位陌生人，也非常感恩法師們成為照亮及鼓舞我的那盞明燈，海天禪寺是我的明燈，照亮我的生命。現在是我照亮他人的時候了，感恩讓我有機會利益他人，有此因緣成為一盞明燈！

　　(Darkness. It is perhaps the word that best describes when I was at the lowest period of my life. I can clearly remember it. January of the year 2012, my husband passed away, leaving me and my 6 children in sorrow and distress. It is like the end of the world for me. I was crying non-stop when my aunt approached me and said, “No matter how hard you cry, your husband will not come back.” It felt like a gallon of cold water was poured over me. I came back to my senses.

　　In 2014, a stranger invited me to join the beginner’s meditation class in Ocean Sky Chan Monastery. I was amazed and inspired by the wisdom of Buddha's teachings. From that day on, I grew fond in attending classes so I did not want to miss any. It is really rare to find such a wonderful monastery in the Philippines. There is so much more to learn and I am always trying to catch the time to gain more wisdom. It was like I was awakened. I have never felt so alive and happy. I never felt this enlightened.

　　The monastery taught me to be more mindful of my thoughts and actions. I had this gradual change of attitude wherein I became calmer, I improved my sense of reasoning and how I perceive and understand things. I became more concerned with other people’s needs. I have developed this sense of compassion toward all that has life and this sense of responsibility towards the needy. Indeed, serving is an effortless pursuit that gives me great fulfillment and happiness. I dedicate myself to always be of service to whatever the monastery may need as much as I can. In the office and at home, I share the Dharma teachings I learned from the Dharma talks of Shifus. I also invite people from the office and my friends to join the classes in the Ocean Sky.

　　When you light a lamp for others, you also get illuminated. I learned that by giving, you not only become the benefactor, you are also a beneficiary. It is by giving that you also receive. To benefit others is to benefit oneself. This belief and practice in the monastery transformed me. I can see myself tirelessly, uncomplaining and unceasingly serving with a smile on my face. Every now and then, I feel this indescribable and unexplainable joy overflowing in my heart.

　　Though I am not expecting anything in return and I am not counting what I have given, I believe I am rewarded a thousand fold more than anything I have ever shared. I feel so lucky and blessed by the love of family, relatives and friends around me. I am also contented with what I am, what I have, and where I am now. I should continue to live in service to my fellowmen in the bodhisattva way, giving what I am and what I have whenever and wherever I can.

　　From the lowest point of my life when darkness filled me, I am so grateful to a complete stranger who lit a lamp for me. I also thank the Shifus for being the lamp that illuminates and inspires me. Ocean Sky is my lamp and light. Now that I am illuminated, it is my turn to illuminate others as well. Thank you for giving me the chance to help and serve. Thank you for the opportunity to be a light.)