BLIA #82 copy .qxp

■■人間新聞
佛光世紀二○一一年八月號
2011年三好兒童夏令營
紐約佛光青年團於六月三十日至
七月四日，在佛光山鹿野苑舉辦「2011
年三好兒童夏令營」，共有七十名學
員歡喜參加。本屆夏令營主題為
「Love for Life」，小朋友在青年團的
大哥哥、大姊姊們帶領下，在五天四
夜的營隊中學習珍惜周遭的家人與朋
友，愛護生態環境，明白行三好做環
保的重要。
為了讓小朋友們認識環境、融入
營隊生活，除了安排巡山課程來認識
營隊所在地—鹿野苑外，在生活上也
讓他們自行整理所居住的小木屋，藉
由環境的打掃，擦窗戶、掃地等，讓
他們感受周遭環境與自身的關係。同
時，在每餐飯後營方也讓孩子們依據
小隊輪流負責洗碗，讓團體合作的精
神與學習自己照顧自己的觀念落實在
日常生活裡。
帶領孩子 Love for Life
夏令營的課程內容豐富，除了戶
外寫生、戶外運動及發人省思的佛學
課程外，每晚皆安排禪修課程安定大
家浮躁的身心，工作人員們更擔綱演
出趣味三好劇場，希望學員們像故事
中的主人翁隨時隨地幫助別人，存好
心做好事，有圓滿美好的結果。這次
還特別安排大地遊戲與美勞課程，響
應「環保與心保」的理念，運用隨處
可得的樹枝製作相框，廢棄的保特瓶
蓋也在老師指導下巧妙地變成風帆賽
車，雖然因雨無法進行戶外問答闖
關，大家依舊興致高昂，在室內舉行
風帆車賽和趣味遊戲競賽。
第四晚的佛光之夜是大家期待已
久的營火晚會，由活動組特別準備的
勁歌熱舞開場，學員們圍繞著紐約佛
光童軍團義工精心設計的營火，分隊
呈現練習數天的小組表演，以簡單的
西來寺短期出家修道會．盂蘭盆供僧法會
2011年7月份佛光山位於加州洛杉
磯的西來寺舉辦為期七天的短期出家
修道會，近150人發心修道。此次參加
短期出家者來自美洲地區多國信眾及來
自聖地牙哥、溫哥華、多倫多和滿地
可道埸的青年團團員參加。年齡層含
蓋最小16歲到最長的70歲戒子，其中已
受五戒與菩薩戒多達108人，可以說都
是具足正信正見，身心健康的佛弟
子。紐約道場的蔣祖芬、周惜賢師姊
也發心前往參加這兩年一次殊勝難逢
的修道戒會。
七天的戒會期間，為增進戒子的修
道信心，更深入領悟佛法的真意，並
禮請到諸多法師前往授課，在解門上
有定和尚的「出離心」，還有「禪林
寶訓」、「菩薩道的實踐」、「佛教
的生命觀-生命的永續經營之道」等；
行門方面，戒會中為戒子威儀的訓練，
安排兩堂佛門行儀，學習展具、搭衣
與吃缽飯的課程，以及「抄經修持」、
「襌修指導」和動中襌等修持課程。
當然，出坡作務、背經修持等更是戒
會期間讓佛弟子們體驗佛門生活、攝
心守意不可或缺的課業。
從7月3日開始的短期出家修道會，
轉眼間又告一個段落。7月9日上午捨
戒出堂，在繳回衣、缽、具之後，也
是回到滾滾紅塵的時刻了，但願將這
七天所學的種種，都能帶入到家庭，社
會，世 界 的 每一 個角 落 。
另外，7月10日由國際佛光會洛杉
磯協會假西來寺舉辦的盂蘭盆供僧法
會，有來自北美各地與洛杉磯當地信
眾共3,000餘名參加，紐約協會也有理
事與多名道場信眾共襄盛舉。由佛光
山前任宗長心定和尚，西來寺第一任
住持慈莊法師，西來寺住持慧濟法師
，帶領美洲各地近百位法師，和參加
本次短期出家修道會青少年組的31位
小 沙 彌應 邀 出 席 受 供 。
法會於上午10時於大雄寶殿正式展
開，由16位請法代表大眾，恭敬禮請法
師們依序入座，小沙彌們亦於大殿及
會堂接受信徒供養。佛光山前任宗長
中文學校：結業式表揚三好學童 暑期中文班開始
紐約佛光中文學校6月25日舉行結業
式，儀式在佛光山紐約道場舉行，全校
師生家長180人出席，儀式在出席嘉賓合
唱三寶頌之後，揭開序幕，中文學校執
行長有慧法師首先進行了校務報告。
隨後頒獎表揚和各班級師生表演串
連了整場活動，各班小朋友的表演包括
了歌唱、童詩朗誦和短劇演出，熱熱鬧
鬧；當場也頒發了全勤獎、認字比賽優
良、進步獎及三好獎給表現優異的小朋
友，歡歡喜喜。國際佛光會紐約協會會
長林達興、前會長王如茵也都應邀前來
頒獎。
獎項焦點是三好獎，經過全校甄選，
由三年級學生Justin Huang和一年級郭
佳音獲得，三好獎肯定他們的品學兼
優、熱心助人，可以做為所有小朋友的
典範。校長覺泉法師最後發言鼓勵小朋
友努力學習，也感謝家長風雪無阻，支
持孩子學好中文。
另外，校方於今年暑假辦理為期兩
個月的「暑期中文班」，希冀學生於傳
承中華文化之餘，也能同時體會學習中
素食達人
為推廣素食、環保，佛光山紐約道
場人間學院特別開設「素食達人班」，
讓希望在家烹調素菜卻不知該如何著手
烹飪的人也有機會能以達人之姿大顯身
手。七月份主題「各式小菜」課程由妙
揚法師授課，除了學習到美味可口的小
菜外，法師妙語如珠蘊含佛理的教學，
學員們個個收穫滿囊。
佛光山的素菜向來以「菜根香」聞
名，不需過多的調味料，讓人得以一窺
食材「本來面目」。此次課程設計主要
讓學員們能輕輕鬆鬆完成一盤色香味具
足的「梅花冷盤」涼拌開胃前菜，讓大
家可以從烹煮、食用清爽小菜裡習得身
心清涼自在之理。學員們從最簡單的
文沒有想像中困難。在這裡，學生不僅
僅是學習語文，更要培養出他們時時惜
福與感恩的心。此次課程主軸為正音、
筆劃及文化教學三部分，依學齡和程度
劃分出「歡喜」、「圓滿」兩班。由於
學生多為學前至三年級，教師們結合科
技運用時下最新的動畫人物進行拼音教
學及動態筆順教學、多媒體動畫故事教
學，大大增進與學生之間互動，學生們
紛紛表示原來學習中文也可以這麼有趣
。文化課程旨在塑造良好品德，教師們
挑選與惜福、感恩、尊重等主題相關唐
詩及佛光菜根譚外，更增添了剪紙活
動、成語繪畫等，除豐富學生中文知
識，也將中華文化技能傳遞綿延下去。
禪味酥酡
「基本糖醋醬汁」開始學起，看似簡單
的糖與醋，因比例的協調而令人食指大
動，如同萬事因眾緣和諧得以成就。學
員們在法師的指導下才明白到：原來只
是簡單的典座也能含藏無限佛法，即所
謂的「口中吃得清和味，心中常思佛祖
居」。
短劇表達三好精神，用熱情的舞蹈展
示學員們的活力，佛光之夜尾聲由佛
光山紐約道場住持覺泉法師帶領獻燈
祈福，全體依續獻燈，在佛前許下日
日行三好的心願，留下珍貴的回憶。
第五天的結營典禮，有約50位家長出
席參與。住持覺泉法師最後叮嚀所有
的小朋友別忘了時時「Love for Life」，
而在營隊裡所學習到的三好精神與實
踐方法等，回到家以後也要記得運用
在日常生活中，才不會白走這一遭。
(圖、文：紐約青年團)
紐約信眾發心參與
心定和尚開示，信徒發心供僧，出家
人感覺到慚愧感恩，就會發心弘法利
生；出家人接受在家信徒的供養，會
讓在家信徒養成恭敬心，「佛法在恭
敬中求」，透過法會，不僅闡釋佛教
的慈心悲願，也推動「七月是孝道月、
慈悲月、功德月」，提升信仰層次。
希望大家繼續護持佛教，實現大師推
動人間佛教「佛光普照三千界，法水
長流五大洲」的願景。
典禮後，與會所有法師們和小沙彌
們，依續走出大雄寶殿，沿著西來寺
東西兩側迴廊托缽，接受信眾們虔誠
供養。此起彼落「阿彌陀佛」歡喜，
虔敬的表達對僧眾的護持之意。
~星雲大師
盂蘭盆供僧法會是用盆之類的器
皿盛飲食供佛、供僧，以拯救在地獄
中受苦的眾生。據經典記載，釋迦牟
尼佛的弟子目犍連，無法自力救助在
餓鬼道受苦的母親，便求助於佛。佛
告知必須以十方僧眾的修行力，才能
救拔母親。同時，佛亦指點其在每年
七月十五日，十方僧眾結夏安居回滿
BLIA of New York
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Bimonthly of New York
Issue 112 August 2011
■■ DHARMA TALKS
By Venerable Master Hsing Yun
There
was once a little frog that had
always contradicted his mother’s orders.
When she asked him to go east, he would
go west, and vice versa. One day, the
mother frog realized that she was going to
die soon. She wanted to be buried in the
mountains and not near the water. But
since the little frog always contradicted her
wishes, she thought she would tell him to
bury her near the water. However, the little
frog had awakened from his mistakes and
decided to oblige his mother’s last wishes.
So he buried her near the water. In the
evenings, he worried about his mother
being too lonely by the water, so he
croaked loudly there. When it rained, he
worried that the rising water would wash
her away. Again, he croaked loudly by the
water. However, when his mother was alive
he would not listen to her, so what purpose
does all the sadness and croaking serve
upon her death?
In today’s society, fewer and fewer
people practice filial piety, creating
problems associated with the “generation
gap.” Nowadays, the different generations
have become more and more indifferent
toward one another. In hospitals, one can
easily observe that there are many filial,
pious parents in the children's ward, while
there are few filial, pious children in the
geriatric ward. Many children do not care
enough to visit their parents in the
hospital, much less attend to every need of
their bedridden seniors. In our daily lives,
we observe parents who unconditionally
take their children to and from school day
in and day out without a second thought.
But when children are occasionally
required to accompany their parents to
medical appointments, they get impatient
and behave as if they are doing their
parents a huge favor.
The love of parents for their children is
illustrated by the following verse, “I can
still remember how I brought up my child,
and now my child is bringing up my
grandchild. It is alright if my child lets me
go hungry, but hopefully my grandchild
will never let my child go hungry.” There
was once a butcher in Mount Putuo who
treated his mother very poorly. One day, he
went with others for a pilgrimage up the
mountain. On learning about the existence
of a living “Avalokitesvara” Bodhisattva, he
started to ask around for her whereabouts.
An old monk then told him, “The living
‘Avalokitesvara’ is already living in your
home.” On rushing home, he discovered
that the monk was referring to his mother,
who explained, “When you do not even
honor your parents at home, what is the
use of making a pilgrimage up the
mountain?”
In honoring our parents, we should not
wait until they are gone. We should do it
here and now! Otherwise, we will be like
the little frog croaking loudly by the water.
United Nations High-Level Meeting on Youth
On
July 25th and 26th, Venerable Miao
Zhong and BLIA YAD representative, Laurence Dubois, attended the 2011 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Youth.
International representatives gathered to discuss the role of youth in peace activism and
mutual understanding. The meeting began
with statements from Mr. Joseph Deiss, the
President of the General Assembly and Mr.
Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary of the
General Assembly.
After sharing condolences on Denmark’s
youth-related attacks, Deiss’ emphasized the
need for young people to have a voice in government actions. Currently, the world has the
largest youth population in history; over 1 billion people in developing countries are under
the age of 35. And yet, young people—par-
ticularly young women—are the most marginalized, invisible, and vulnerable sector of
the population.
Young people, whom Ki-moon dubs ‘the
Facebook Generation,’ are confronting numerous sensitive issues that the older generations did not face. They are also more
knowledgeable than their elders on current
social and environmental issues. In addition,
they realize the need to transcend national,
demographic, and religious boundaries.
In the roundtable discussion, UN representatives discussed the hindrances youths face.
The typical young person is single, living with
their parents, underemployed, and characterized by Twitter and Facebook use. While they
live in a global village, they lack the means to
financially support themselves. Participation
of young people should be about empowering
youth and giving them resources. It is not
enough to create programs where youth are
beneficiaries, but young people should be the
ones evaluating and initiating the programs.
In the Interfaith Dialogue event, youth
representatives from various religious and educational backgrounds agreed that there are
more similarities than differences between religions. Education is the key to creating a culture of peace among all. We must transcend
xenophobia by engaging in meaningful dialogue and by educating ourselves about others’
practices. Education should not just be about
conflict resolution, but should teach teamwork, cooperation, and responsibility. The
work for peace is a continual process that each
of us can contribute to.
“Buddhist Perspective on Death and Rebirth” Hospice Workshop
(By Susan Chen)
On June 16th, IBPS New York
讀者回響：相遇在人間
曾經幾次看過世界日報上有關長島
佛學班消息，也一直想參加，但時間上
始終配合不來。心裡總想著：沒關係等
將來時間配合上了再說。這是因緣不具
足，還是時候未到？沒想到2010年初春
，報上只刊載紐約道場的活動卻不再出
現長島佛學班的預告，當下就決定不能
再找藉口拖延，這次得付諸行動了！現
在知道這也是「無常」之一，事情沒有
恆久不變的，得自己把握機會，於是從
2010年4月中開始了我與「人間讀書會
」的相遇。剛好這是基礎佛學課程，就
好像是再度向我招手般，再給我一次機
會，否則將漸行漸遠。轉眼間，已連續
地參加了五期的人間讀書會，在最近的
一期，同時也嘗試了晚間的經典讀書會
等其他課程。
雖然在課堂上用的是中國話、看的
是中國字，但是佛教的教法、典故、名
相等等，對我來說都是嶄新的、精深的
、也耐人反覆尋味的。在這裡所學得並
不僅止於理論，反而是一種生活哲學或
生活態度。比方「五戒」或「六度」，
不論我們的信仰是什麼，人人都可以奉
行並用來觀照個人日常生活行為，即使
做不到或偏差了也能察覺到而自我
反省，更大的收穫是我對於「因果」有
了更進一步、更正確的認識。現在的我
開始學會用因果觀來看待自己而非強加
因果於他人身上，也開始用行動來表現
對所學的認同。
在幾次的佛學課後，我也慢慢地與
先生一同參與週日的共修法會。從一開
始不知所措的「盲從」到現在的安然自
在，漸漸體會到法師在課堂上所說的「
隨文入觀」，逐步去感受經文的內容。
不知道從什麼時候，佛光山的活動也開
始被排入我們的行事曆。我唯一可以知
道的是：在這裡有許多值得我學習，我
也因此拓展人生的視野，豐富這幾十年
的生命。雖然晚了點，但至少我已跨出
了一小步。在佛學的認識上，雖然離融
會貫通還很遠，但我慶幸有緣接近正信
佛法。(文：Ｍonica Ｌee）
孝道月供僧道糧緣起
不是供養熱鬧，而是供養辦道；
不是供養個人，而是供養大眾；
不是供養一餐，而是供養全年；
不僅供養一時，而是供養未來。
Publisher
之日，為人子女者，應當以七世父母
以及現生父母之名，廣設百味珍餚飯
食，供養出家人。以此供養功德，令
過去父母，六親眷屬，出離三途之苦
。若父母健在者，能福樂百年，萬事
吉祥順利。是真正超薦拔度，冥陽兩
利之妙法。這也是佛教將農曆七月訂
為孝道月之緣由。
sponsored a Buddhism workshop
coordinated by Lily Wang, Director of Metropolitan Jewish Hospice Asian Program, titled “A
Buddhist Perspective on Death
and Rebirth.” The event was attended by many hospice team members including medical providers, pastors, and social workers. Venerable Miao Yang led the workshop with a two hour presentation
that covered basic Buddhism, contemporary Buddhist practices, and
dispelled myths attendees may have heard.
BLIA YAD Executive Conference
by Frank Yao, BLIA YAD New York President
The 2011 International Buddha’s Light Young Adult Executive Conference was held at Nan Tien Temple in Australia.
As a representative from BLIA YAD New York, I was very
fortunate to participate in this wonderful conference with over
two-hundred-fifty youth from thirteen different countries and
to experience how humanistic Buddhism blossomed in the
Oceania region. The organizing committee did an outstanding
job presenting the theme “Environmental and Spiritual
Preservation” through various activities that included planting
trees and a outdoor scavenger hunt.
Venerable Hui Chuan prepared a special presentation titled:
“Reminiscing 15 Years & Future of BLIA YAD.” We were
reminded of our mission as each slide took us through many
important milestones. Venerable Hui Chuan stated that we
should follow important two directions in the future:
self-cultivation and servicing others. We should be ready to
shoulder the responsibilities ahead. Many youth gladly accepted to work in collaboration on
the resolutions passed during the
conference discussions such as
creating a BLIA YAD handbook
and creating online platform for
youth to exchange ideas. We are
happy to be part of this year’s conference and hope to see everyone
again in Taiwan next summer.
Following the lecture, all the attendees exchanged their views en
thusiastically in the Q&A discussion. After attending the workshop
and reviewing the handout prepared by Venerable Miao Yang, they
gained new insights and a better understanding of the Buddhist beliefs
which will enable them to better serve patients from various cultural
and religious backgrounds.
For many of the participants, it was their very first experience visiting a Buddhist temple. With two successful educational sessions between IBPS and Metropolitan Jewish Hospice program, the Hospice
team expressed their interest to continue the partnership to provide
their staff with Buddhism education in the near future.
IBPS New York Scouts’ Court of Honor
19th marked the end of
Scout Year 2010-2011 for the
troops and packs of IBPS New
York. To honor outstanding, advancing, and graduating scouts,
we held a joint year-end ceremony, the Court of Honor, to
celebrate their achievements.
The Abbess, Venerable Chueh Chuan, led the four troops to commence the ceremony. The scouts were honored with awards, symbols of
recognition of the hard work the scouts did. The two Girl Scouts and
the one Boy Scout graduating from our troops were also recognized. Just
as Abbess Venerable Chueh Chuan said, IBPS New York will always be
their home and they are always welcome to come back to visit.
After the awards ceremony, the scouts had the privilege to listen to
Abbess Venerable Chueh Chuan’s Dharma words, which revealed the
similarity between Buddhism and the Scout Oath. Everyone was given encouragement to live up to this standard and to serve as community role
models. Finally, the Court of Honor closed with a slideshow
that highlighted the experiences the scouts had this year.
Three Good Manners Summer Camp
4-4 YAD Conference
by the IBPSNY Scouts
June
got this photo in pdf
by Michael Chiang, Camp Counselor
After last year's summer camp, I was excited to return for my second year as a
counselor, to reunite with past friends,
and to see how well I could handle any
situation. But most importantly, I was
eager to meet the kids. Even though I
would only be with them for five days,
the camp’s influence on the campers lasts much longer. That’s why it is important to set a good example.
After the first day, I was already drained from walking them to the bathroom and filling up their water bottles, but seeing how much the campers
enjoyed the camp gave me motivation. When one of the campers arrived in
the cabins, he yelled out, “This is awesome!” and I smiled at his happiness.
But, camp wasn’t all smiles. When campers acted without thinking, the
counselors had to refocus them. Instead of yelling at them, I let them know
what they did was wrong and had them promise that they don’t do it again,
which worked out because my campers were very well behaved. It was amazing to see strong connections built within such a short period of time. By the
last day, I didn’t look at the kids like another job, but I felt as if I were their
big brother. I would like to thank NY YAD for giving me this opportunity.
Upcoming Activities
Aug.-Oct., 2011
Sunday Services
Sunday Services are from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Humanistic College of Fo Guang Shan Temple
Events and Various Classes Are Available
8/6-8/27
8/7
8/16
8/27-28
9/3-10/29
9/7-10/19
9/13-10/25
9/15-10/27
9/18
9/18-10/30
9/25
9/20
9/24-25
10/18
10/15-16
Sat
9:00am Summer Chinese Program
Sun
1:30pm Skillful Wisdom and Enlightened Mind Lecture
Tue
7:30pm Vegetarian Cooking Class
Sat-Sun
Yoga & Ch’an Retreat
Sat
9:00am Chinese School
Wed
7:30pm Buddhism Club
Tue
7:30pm Tai Chi Class
Thu
10:00am Humanistic Buddhism Club
Sun
1:30pm Skillful Wisdom and Enlightened Mind Lecture
Sun
10:00am Sunday Children Program
Sun
1:30pm Movie Club
Tue
7:30pm Vegetarian Cooking Class
Sat-Sun
Yoga & Ch’an Retreat
Tue
7:30pm Vegetarian Cooking Class
Sat-Sun
Yoga & Ch’an Retreat
8/11-14
8/28
9/10-11
9/17
10/26-30
Thu-Sun
The Emperor Liang's Repentance Service
Sun
9:30am The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Dharma Service
Sat-Sun
Eight Precepts Retreat
Sat
Deer Park One Day Retreat
Wed-Sun
Medicine Buddha Dharma Function
Special Events