文／菲律賓海天禪寺研經禪修班學員　法性

　　我在內心渴望平靜時遇到了海天禪寺。薰修一段時間後，住持法師的開示讓我放下許多煩惱。例如我搭車時的不耐煩，為了參加晚上七點半的初級班，我必須在下午三點半前出發；晚上九點半下課後，常常十一點半到家，如果塞車嚴重甚至十二點半才能到家。我告訴自己，一路上保持覺性也是一種修行。如此思惟，不耐煩的心自然就放下了。

　　靜坐是我早晚的定課。靜坐讓我更有覺性，在說話、做事前，能觀照自心、檢視念頭。我的個性和價值觀也大有轉變，不但戒掉每日三包的煙癮，也更有耐心、懂得尊重一切眾生，而且開始茹素。我體會到心念不正會讓人偏離正道，如果失去覺性，就容易造下惡業、迷失人生方向。

　　菲律賓因疫情爆發而封城的最初兩週，我心中充滿對生活的憂慮。靜坐時，心中突然浮現「放下」及「無常」，讓我化解憂慮，並把心思放在其他事情上，例如：如何度過難關，或即便微不足道的事也要盡力幫助他人。現在佛法已深植在我心中，成為日常生活的指南。

　　我的法名「法性」，佛法為我開啟一條深入自性的大道：即是能覺察覺知自己念頭及言行的真心。「法性」目前就像一株小苗，覺悟真心的路還有一段漫長旅程。但「法性」有了戒律指引，總有一天會開花結果。如果這輩子無法達成，來世必能圓滿。感恩海天禪寺分享佛法、改變我的生命，並讓我成為護法會的一分子。我一定不會辜負大眾對我的信任與期望，繼續精進修行、護法護教。

　　（I found Ocean Sky Chan Monastery when my mind needed serenity and peace. After learning a lot from Abbess's Dharma talks, many things unexpectedly changed within me, such as my impatience while taking the public transport. For example, during the Beginners' Class, I had to leave home by 3:30pm since classes started at 7:30pm. Classes ended at 9:30pm and I would not reach home until 11:30pm or even 12:30am when traffic was heavy. I did not care how hard the trip was because I kept my awareness the whole way. Besides, I always told myself that this is part of my practice. Through this mindset and method, I eventually got rid of my impatience.

　　Meditation became my daily activity in the morning and before bedtime. It helps me guard my mind or examine whether my thoughts are in accordance with Buddhist teachings before doing or saying it. In my opinion, it has greatly contributed to changing my personality and views on matters around me. I quit smoking from 3 packs a day, became more patient, and developed respect towards all sentient beings. But most of all, I became vegetarian. I also observed how delusive thoughts mislead people and how people can lose their way or do evil deeds if they are not observant enough.

　　During the first two weeks of COVID-19 spread in the Philippines, my mind became muddled and full of worry about many things in life. While meditating, two teachings came to my mind: LET GO and IMPERMANENCE. I used these to lessen my worries and just focused on other things, such as ways to survive and how to help others as much as I can, even with the small things. I have deeply ingrained the Buddhist teachings in my mind to serve as my guide in daily life.

　　My Dharma name, Fa Xing (法性 Dharma Nature), the Dharma opened the path for me to understand myself more; that it is my True Mind that is aware of my thoughts and actions. Fa Xing is much like a sprout who has a long way to go to discover his true nature. But Fa Xing will eventually bloom, thanks to the guidance of the Precepts. Even if this might not be accomplished in this life, perhaps it will in the lives to come. I am grateful to Ocean Sky for sharing Buddhism which changed my life and making me a part of the Dharma Support Association. I promise that I will not let them down and will take care of the trust they have given me by continuing to diligently practice and protect the Dharma.）