Tell me about your Buddhist background before coming to Buddha Gate?

When I was growing up in South Vietnam, our family was quite poor. Our family followed a traditional Buddhist lifestyle ­ – we had an altar and made offerings. However, we did not have an opportunity to hear Dharma talks and attend classes.

When did you first hear of Buddha Gate?

In December 2, 2001, while I was reading the Bay Area Chinese newspaper Sing Tao, I saw a picture of the Grand Master of Chung Tai Chan Monastery and an article about his upcoming visit to the Buddha Gate Monastery in Lafayette. A Buddhist association in San Jose had arranged a bus to take lay people to hear the Grand Master. It was a great opportunity to hear him. His talk was very meaningful to me.

I decided it was worthwhile to take the beginning classes and volunteer my time here. With my friend’s help, I found a good way to drive from San Jose to Lafayette. Over the more than nine years I’ve been coming here, my husband and son have been very supportive, even when I came several times a week to do volunteer work.

You travel a great distance to attend Buddha Gate.  What do you find so special about this place?

I cherish the education. The Abbess and the Dharma Masters teach us to be giving and are always there to help us to get rid of our greed and attachments to things. I am very grateful to Buddha Gate because it has changed my life.

Here’s one example. How should we think about the money we earn?  I’ve learned a very useful formula. One quarter (1/4) of our salary should be given to charity, to our community and to society. One quarter is to be used for daily living such as food, housing, health, daily needs; one quarter should be set aside as investment for the future, in your children’s education; and one quarter is for emergencies. I value this important lesson about money and have taught this also to my son.

Learning about Buddhism helps us to improve the quality of our lives. I have learned proper etiquette and respect. When you see the Buddha, you make a half bow. When we show our respect to others, we bow and say “Amitofo.” I feel joyful and others can sense my attitude of happiness too. We need this feeling because life is so stressful. We need to have good relationships with others.

Finally, I want to say I’m very grateful to the Grand Master for his compassion in building Buddha Gate. Buddhism has improved my understanding of life. It has made me grateful for the life I have, my family and my parents. I hope to continue to develop my awareness.

Have you been on the pilgrimage to Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan?

I go every year. Some years I have gone twice. My first time was in 2002 when I took the Three Refuges; later in 2009 I took the Bodhisattva Precepts. The Dharma talks are excellent and everyone at Chung Tai is so kind, it feels like home.  The Seven Day Retreats are definitely a once-in-a-life-time experience because we let go of everything – your everyday life, family, career. As you meditate you can purify the mind. I am still not enlightened but I feel changed, wiser, and understand my life with greater clarity. Once when I took the Five Precepts, I volunteered one month to work at Chung Tai. I did reception work, served the food, and helped in the kitchen. Even in setting the table we learn some important things. There is a precise setting, nothing should be crooked or out of place.  By doing this task we use our eyes and increase our awareness, a useful skill in our daily life. I feel that if you are Buddhist, you learn from Buddha and in turn you learn to be a good person and in my case, be a better parent. 

Can you tell us how meditation is helpful to you? What have you learned during this process about your mind?

I have a meditation room in my home. It is a quiet space. As soon as I go into the room I feel different. It is like the calm feeling we have when we enter the Zen Hall at Buddha Gate. I have an altar, a meditation cushion and a place to keep my sutra books. Before going to work, I offer water and incense to the Buddha. I make a daily offering as our family did in Vietnam.  

Meditation, when practiced consistently, is truly helpful. In the morning upon rising and before bedtime at night is a good way to practice. The length of time is not as important as doing it. In the morning we remind ourselves to be aware. In the evening it is a time for reflection, self-examination of our daily actions. Did I do the right deed or not?

Is there a special sutra that is particularly meaningful to you?

When I meditate I sometimes recite Buddha’s name or recite the Diamond Sutra, the Heart Sutra, or the Compassion Mantra. When I had to have bone surgery and many implants in my gums, reciting the sutra was so helpful during that painful period. My recovery was quick because I had trained my mind to be patient.

How do you manage a vegetarian diet or perspective? How does vegetarianism affect your attitude in life?

It started in 2001 after I went to Chung Tai and took the Three Refuges. I was convinced that being a vegetarian would be healthy because I’ve experienced Buddha Gate’s wonderful cooking.  In fact, our bodies feel lighter because we both nourish and purify ourselves by being vegetarian.

How do you maintain your Buddha nature?

You need to practice and to train yourself.  Nine years is not just one day. You cannot learn Buddhism in one day. It is difficult because we are lay people and live among lay people. That is why Buddhism teaches us the Middle Way. The Middle Way helps us seek harmony with others. I have a friend since high school who is Catholic. Though I’m not Catholic, I attended a ceremony in the Catholic Church because this occasion was important to my friend. We are challenged to seek harmony with those we are close to.

In Buddhism, doing what one says and promises to do is important.  My friends know my attitude, so when their son or daughter has a wedding and they ask me to attend, they must tell me ahead of time so I can plan on it. Otherwise I won’t go. But when I say I will attend and be there, they know I mean it.

Another aspect of faith is to be consistent and not distracted. Recently I was involved in a car accident. At the time it happened I was not angry; in fact I was in a calm mood. The car had a small bump, and the other party was not angry. I knew that because I was feeling tired, I was not paying attention. I should have stopped and could have avoided the accident. Self-reflection is a part of keeping one’s faith and equanimity.

In explaining my belief in the goodness of Buddha to my son, I reminded him of when he had all four wisdom teeth extracted at the same time. At that time I took very good care of him, pampered him, fixing ice packs then alternating them with warm packs against his sore jaw. His recovery was fast compared to his friend who had had a similar operation. I feel my belief in Buddha is like having a mom who takes loving care of you.