Helen Go (傳芬), Consultant

When Helen’s father passed away in 1995, she and the family attended a ceremony in one temple, where the Shifu explained some Buddhist practices to her. That was how her understanding of Buddhism began. When Ocean Sky was established, she would pass by the monastery many times since she lived nearby, but never had the courage to step inside. It was in 2008, when she was introduced by her friend B.Y. that she finally came into the monastery, in time for Ocean Sky’s inauguration the following year. Thus began her spiritual cultivation.

Because her days are occupied with attending to the many obligations of running the family business, Helen used to easily get angry. After attending meditation classes in Ocean Sky, and listening to Dharma talks of Shifus, her mind became less cluttered and more at ease. She has also learned to be more lenient and generous towards her employees. Helen has received many more benefits from attending classes.

Because Helen often worries about personal and work-related problems, Master Jianshu particularly advised her to practice detachment, to be happy, and to eat vegetarian. Due to her diligent practice, she benefited from having a calm mind. Recently, after the death of her mother, Helen knows exactly how and why to arrange memorial services and make different offerings to the Three Jewels on her mother’s behalf.

Introduced by Helen, her husband Melecio, and sister Mary Co now attend meditation classes regularly. As one of the consultants of the Dharma Support Association, Helen is always glad to drop everything and rush to Ocean Sky whenever she is needed by the monastery. She helps the monastery in many aspects, be it sending food and vegetables when needed, or volunteering her servicemen to attend to plumbing and electrical repair, or providing rides for students in coming to class and going home.

Helen described her experience the first time she went to Chung Tai: “It was in 2008. Chung Tai is truly magnificent. It was my first time to experience such an awesome monastery where all the Shifus are so pure, harmonious and compassionate.” Reflecting back to her efforts at cultivation, she added: “Attending Dharma ceremonies have also helped me understand why we need to practice prostrations. A person’s bad habits have to change, and one’s anger has to lessen if not totally eradicated. Studying Buddhism makes me happy because I get benefited in many ways. I vow to continue supporting the Dharma and Ocean Sky.”