Mary Co (傳向), Advisor

Mary Co had already been a devout Buddhist since she was young. With her sister Helen Go, who is another advisor, they continue to provide support to the Shifus in spreading the teachings of Buddha. Mary is also a vegetarian, and very diligent in her study of the Dharma. Even after completing many levels of classes, she still comes back to attend the beginner’s class.

Mary had this reflection to share after completing one beginner’s class in Ocean Sky:

“I am very grateful for the lectures, the story telling of koans (teaching stories of Zen masters and their disciples) by Abbess which are new to me. These teachings have filled me with Dharma joy and encouraged me to strive harder to improve as a person. Since that class, I have become more grounded and tolerant, my afflictions have lessened, and my anger and arrogance have diminished. I am very thankful to Ocean Sky for offering the meditation courses which have opened up opportunities for people like me to study the Buddha Dharma, in order to under- stand life and death. In doing so, I am no longer afraid of aging, sickness, and death. When confronted with karma,
I no longer feel sad or upset, because I now know that I have to face it the earlier the better, so I can be done with it.”

As to how she can improve as a person, Mary said: “I should be sincere when dealing with other people, and should be forgiving and tolerant of their mistakes. Instead of getting angry, I should try to understand the other person’s actions with compassion.” Clearly, Mary is one student who has fully imbibed the teachings of “Four Tenets of Chung Tai.”