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Hello!
I am very new to Chan Buddhism and sincerely grateful to have found a very great place to practice in which I have felt welcomed at City of Dharma Realm monastery here in my hometown of Sacramento, CA.

Upon educating myself with core Buddhist beliefs as well as the humble teachings of Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, I realized that they align with my own personal values that I have believed ever since I was a child. Lately the joy I have felt from Dharma has been immense. Also, realizing that for years, I have been adding to my own suffering and afflictions is changing my perspective on this life and has influenced many acts of kindness.

Last month I visited CTTB for the very first time for the ceremony for commemorating Master Hua’s entering nirvana and the connection that I felt within the sangha was like nothing I have ever experienced in my life before. It’s difficult for me to describe in eloquent detail but the feeling of Master Hua’s presence was so beautiful. I wish to take refuge someday and I accept Master Hua as my teacher!

One of my recent acts of kindness was that I treated a colleague out to breakfast and learned that he has fallen on very difficult times and is experiencing hardship within his marriage. We ate, we talked, I listened attentively, we shared feel-good stories, I offered small nuggets of encouragement without being too advising. Afterward he thanked me and said that he had felt better for having a good conversation and someone to talk to. As we left the restaurant, there was a young woman who appeared to be vagrant writhing in agony on the ground. My colleague knew that I was in a hurry to return to work so he said for me to go ahead then he stayed with the young woman and offered to help her and went back inside the restaurant to order her a meal and brought back out some water for her. Sometimes our karma seems to happen immediately and sometimes it can have an impact no matter how big or small. I hope this story alone helps anyone in need.
Amituofo!