Benjamin Manalese (傳世), Executive Officer

Benjamin has been a valued volunteer in Ocean Sky for 8 years. He is fondly called “Lolo” (Filipino for grandpa) by everybody in the monastery because he once played grandpa in a children’s summer camp, and the name stuck long after the role ended. However, his grandfatherly demeanor belies the physical and mental strength that is required in the performance of his duties as coordinator of all the volunteers.

As Executive Officer, Lolo Ben acts as the over-all supervisor of the Dharma Support volunteers. More often, he pitches in whenever and wherever he is needed in order to bring some required chores to completion, be it as physically heavy as lifting and transporting furniture in preparation for a ceremony, or as effortless as sticking labels to bottles of auspicious water. Able to do things that other people are unwilling to take on, the quiet and unassuming Ben is very popular among the volunteers. For example, if a receptionist cannot make it to duty and is looking for a substitute to pitch in, he is the best person to run to. At the reception area, one would often see him holding a rag cleaning the glass panels by the entrance or wiping the counters. No chore is too difficult or too menial for our Lolo.

Ben said: “Coming to Ocean Sky has taught me that the practice of Buddhism can develop many virtues.” In his many years of practicing meditation and serving the monastery, he has clearly developed patience, diligence, attention to details and an ever-ready willingness to help others.

Ben sits to meditate everyday and has also acted as coordinator for many classes. He humbly shares: “By reflecting inward rather than looking at the outside conditions, it has helped me to be grounded without becoming attached to results in the performance of my duties.” He is clearly espousing the true bodhisattva spirit. This is the reason why Ben is the well-loved “Super Lolo of Ocean Sky”!