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拜妹妹隨師父上人出家之因，使我得以聽聞師父上人說的法。1990年，師父上人到台灣弘法時，我去台中護國清涼寺聆聽法語。當時聽法師說幫往生者，受幽冥戒最殊勝，因此我特別為從未見過面的婆婆受幽冥戒。結果不知不覺地自己在隔天也皈依了。初初學佛法、禮佛、拜佛、誦經、誦咒讓我覺得輕安。
1995年，帶著子女來參加師父的荼毗大典。想起前一年來美國給師父祝壽時，聖城的學生們給我留下很好的印象。我們知道師父上人創辦學校，主要是教導孩子們敦品立德。我雖曾希望，卻不敢奢望孩子可以來此讀書。想經濟、家人、工作等等，實在是不易作決定。爾後在萬佛殿上追思師父上人，我們齊唱上人作詞的法界大學校歌，唱到﹕『團結一致，復興聖教』，團結一致，可是啊，人才沒有；錢財沒有，微小的我，能出什麼力呢？
突然間，我想到三個孩子，因而立願，要盡我所能陪著他們在這裏受教育，在法水裏浸，希望他們能找尋到生命的平安，得到光明與快樂。雖然公公激烈反對，家父亦不贊同，感恩佛菩薩加被，最後一切順利。這兩年來，孩子們逢年過節，必打電話給老人家們請安問好，氣氛已經緩和許多。此外，在學校儒家思想及佛學的熏習下，孩子們漸漸地捨離一些物欲與習氣，而在生活中培養出新的氣質。感恩每位成就孩子們的人，讓我們向艱澀的昨日道別，迎接充滿希望的未來。 |
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My younger sister, who left the home-life with the Ven. Master Hua, brought me the oppor-tunity to listen to the Ven. Master’s Dharma. When the Ven. Master went to Taiwan in 1990, I went to Qingliang Monastery in Taichung to listen to his Dharma. After a Dharma Master told me that there was great merit in receiving the precepts on behalf of the deceased, I did it on behalf of my mother-in-law, whom I had never met. The next day, I took refuge myself. As a new Buddhist, I felt very comfortable paying homage and bowing to the Buddhas, chanting sutras and reciting mantras.
In 1995, I took daughter and son to participate in the Memorial and Cremation Ceremonies for the Ven. Master Hua. I recalled that I had been so impressed by the behavior of the students from CTTB at the Master's birthday celebration the year before.
When the Ven. Master set up the schools, he wanted to teach children to develop good character. I wished to send my children to school here, but never thought my wish would come true. In consideration of finances, family, jobs, etc. it was not an easy decision.
Later on, during the memorial ceremony of Ven. Master at the Buddha Hall, we sang the School Song of Dharma Realm Buddhist University composed by the Ven. Master: "United in our single goal, we revive the Sagely teachings..." United in our single goal, yes, but I had no talent, no money. An insignificant person, what could I contribute?
Suddenly I realized that I had three children. I vowed to do my best to accompany them as they went to school here and soaked in the Dharma water; hopefully they could find peace, light, and joy in their lives here. Although my father-in-law opposed my decision and my father also disagreed, thanks to the Buddha’s blessings, all went smoothly. My children have always called their grandpas on each Chinese holiday for the past two years. The relationship has improved. Besides that, under the influence of the Confucian and Buddhist teachings at school, my children are gradually getting rid of some unwholesome desires and habits and developing new characters. I am grateful to all the people who have helped my children. Let us say good-bye to the sorrows of yesterday and look forward to a future filled with hope. |
