Angi Tan (Chuan Ling), Middle Land Chan Monastery
Thunderous clapping and roaring cheers inside the Chan Hall of our monastery could only mean one thing: the annual Dharma Support Association Certificate Conferral Ceremony had begun in earnest. My favorite part of the event was the outdoor potluck following the ceremony as we sat and hung out with shifus throughout the celebration under a canopy of trees.
This year’s celebration was nothing short of a miracle. It was the perfect exemplification of a mission impossible made possible by the true dedication and resolve of all the volunteers under the guidance of the shifus at Middle Land. Due to the packed calendar this summer, we literally had only two short weeks to put everything together, including song and dance performances by several groups that were unable to meet during the week.
Despite such demanding schedule, I was grateful that we kept the annual tradition. As one of the volunteers, I was able to witness firsthand how the shifus handled crisis after crisis with grace and equanimity, most likely the fruit of their dedicated cultivation. What an inspiration! Besides acknowledging and commending the efforts of our volunteers, the event helped build camaraderie and rapport among us. It also created a leisurely setting for our members to invite their friends and families to experience Buddhism. It was quite a delight to see fresh new faces taking part in our celebration. Being a member of the Dharma Support Association, I found the annual ceremony a solemn reminder to renew my resolve to uphold and protect Buddhadharma, especially when all supporters stood in unison to take the vow.
During the Dharma talk, our Abbess expounded on the significance of volunteering. When we give our time, physical effort, know-how, or make monetary donations to the monastery, we lend our support to help perpetuate Buddhism, thus making it possible for countless others to benefit from Buddha’s teachings.
When we carry out such selfless acts for the greater good, she reminded us that no single task is more or less important than the others. This remark really struck a chord with me as I had reacted negatively when I was given certain tasks and would develop preference for certain assignments over others. The reality is that there are no better or worse assignments, and it is not a competition to prove who is more indispensable than anyone else. In fact, each assignment or chore is a training ground for my mind to remain clear and fully aware, free from my ego and attachments.
As the Diamond Sutra says: “If bodhisattvas abide in the notions of a self, a person, a sentient being, or a life span, they are not bodhisattvas.” Oftentimes, I was so focused on getting the work done that I ignored the fact that I, myself reaped the biggest benefits from the process. Being a class coordinator, for example, enabled me to take a refresher course on materials that I had learned but long forgotten. Performing simple mundane chores like sweeping the floor is a great way to practice mindfulness and compassion. I personally find working with dharma brothers a gratifying experience, as we help each other grow in a community of harmony, positivity and kindness, while building amity with others from all walks of life.
Our Abbess also quoted a famous verse to remind us that Chan cultivation is not limited to sitting meditation. When we do not raise a single thought while maintaining a clear lucid mind, no matter in speech or in silence, in action or in stillness, that is Chan. Therefore, “walking is Chan, sitting is Chan.” Even though the skill of being constantly mindful is acquired through stillness, like sitting meditation, it needs to be honed when carrying out daily actions. Volunteering at Middle Land provides the perfect setting for me to sharpen my mindfulness so I can deftly apply it when needed in my everyday life.
Every single chance to help out indeed presents a golden opportunity for me to elevate my practice. And when I help “out”, I am in fact helping myself “in” my own practice. Volunteering is a mutual exchange, where giving and receiving happen simultaneously. This is the true beauty of the Bodhisattva Way; when we give selflessly to benefit others, we will gain by leaps and bounds on our path to enlightenment.