Albert Tan (傳偉), President

Before Albert Tan got involved with Ocean Sky Chan Monastery, his understanding of the practice of Buddhism was limited to lighting joss sticks, and praying for Buddha’s blessings of good health, prosperity, and longevity.

It was in late 2002 when Albert met the first Abbot of the Monastery while he was having dinner with his wife in a restaurant right across the nearly completed building of the Monastery. One month later, Albert was called in to help unload crates of materials that had just arrived from Taiwan. Thus began his participation in the affairs of the Monastery, and the big shift in the trajectory of his destiny.

When Ocean Sky began to offer meditation classes, Albert, with his whole family—wife Cindy, daughters Leslie, Arlene, and Andrea—not only came to attend the classes, but also supported the Monastery wholeheartedly. When the Dharma Support Association was organized in 2004, Grand Master Wei Chueh then formally approved the appointment of Albert as the president of Ocean Sky, and his wife Cindy, as vice president.

In pursuit of spiritual development, Albert has not missed a single batch of meditation classes over the years. He knows that understanding the true nature of one’s mind and learning how to master it is important if he wants to attain a more meaningful life free from deluded sufferings. Albert said: “Through these years, I have come to understand causality, impermanence, the Eight-Fold Path, and the purity of the inherent Buddha-mind.” By studying the vast and profound teachings of the Buddha, he gradually realized that the true mind is just there waiting to be discovered.

Before coming to Ocean Sky, Albert used to love the nightlife, was impatient and hot-tempered. Through diligent attendance in meditation classes, chanting the sutras, and listening to Dharma talks, Albert’s lifestyle and personality underwent a complete change.

This year 2012, Albert made a vow to pursue the monastic way of life at the earliest possible time. He now comes to the Monastery everyday of the week. Right after work, he comes to attend all the classes at night. During weekends, he comes for ceremonies or other activities. Daily, he chants the Diamond Sutra and Surangama Mantra; he also finds time between his work to read the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch. Clearly, Albert is progressing leaps and bounds in his cultivation, as he continues his study of the Dharma guided by Abbess Master Jianshu.

As the President of the Dharma Support Association, he provides the much needed inspiration and example with his simplicity and earnestness in giving support to the Shifus and fellow cultivators. Asked about his vision for Ocean Sky, he answers: “I hope Chung Tai can establish more meditation branches in the Philippines, in order to spread Buddha’s teachings to benefit a greater Filipino community.”