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菩提田

 

BODHI FIELD

2006年敬老節報導
A Report on Honoring Elders Day

萬佛聖城 At the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, USA

劉馥華 文 培德女中十年級 by Cara Liu, 10th Grader, Developing Virtue Secondary School
比丘尼近相 中譯 Chinese Translated by Echo Hsueh

在二○○六年十一月十八日,耆老、眷屬、聖城住眾、培德育良學校全體師生及家長共同慶祝萬佛聖城的敬老節,參加的佳賓超過三百五十人。

今年度的敬老節慶典,表演從上午九點十五分到下午一點鐘。精彩的節目如女校學生的課後活動社團背誦永嘉大師證道歌及變身為小觀音菩薩,中醫師向玉梅的觀音淨水瓶太極表演,體育家瑟嫚莎•阿西薇多表演令人驚嘆的筋斗特技。溫蒂羅伊以風笛演奏「奇異恩典」等曲;世界宗教班中、英文雙語背誦「大學」;湯姆和玫姬以吉他帶來了許多老歌曲;女校舞蹈社穿著維吾爾服裝,在鈴聲的伴奏下表演了中國傳統舞蹈「春天」;另一組同學演出陽傘彩巾舞,均由舞蹈社負責同學自編自教。

在熱鬧的躍獅表演中,接待員開始為來賓奉敬餐點。來賓正享用由大齋堂的工作群和義工所準備的可口午餐時,男女校國樂社的同學則表演許多討喜的曲子。接著有由巴哈派光熱團所表演的舞蹈、精湛的日本傳統扇舞、才華橫溢的黑克以多種印地安笛演奏妙音,令人期待的舞龍表演為全場的壓軸好戲。

儒學教授亨利羅斯蒙致詞時指出,老者安之,少者懷之,是孔子人生的理想。他盛讚各界多文化、老少的參與此有意義的活動。

雖然當天節目進度有些困難發生,但最終還是以成功收場 ── 許多長者表示這是最佳的慶典。每位與會的耆老獲得蓮花、手提袋和一張印有宣公上人過去對老人期許的賀卡:

你心裡若不老,到什麼時候都是年輕的。在佛教講一切唯心造,我希望各位把你們的心都變成年輕一點,所謂返老返童。無老無少,無始無終,心能永遠工作。現在我給你一點工作,什麼工作呢?這個工作一點力也不費,你無論信那一個宗教,不必改變你的宗教,你就用你本來的宗教那種方式,去祈禱世界和平。你們長壽的人,現在正可以做這種工作,來祈禱世界和平,令世界上沒有戰爭,沒有互相殘殺,這個工作比任何的工作都重要。這種神聖的工作,這種最高的工作,我現在交給你們去做去。


On Saturday, November 18, 2006, over 350 people—seniors and their families, as well as CTTB residents, students of Instilling Goodness and Developing Virtue Schools and their families, celebrated Honoring Elders Day at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

Here are some highlights of the very packed program which lasted from 9:15 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The girls in the After School Program did a skit in which they chanted the “Song of Enlightenment” and turned into little Guanyin Bodhisattvas. Chinese doctor Yumei Xiang performed a Tai Chi called Guanyin’s Pure Water Vase. Gymnast Samantha Acevedo thrilled the audience with amazing flips. Wendy Rowe played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipe. The World Religions class recited “The Great Learning” in both Chinese and English. Tom and Madge Strong led the elders in singing many oldies accompanied by guitar. The Chinese Dances this year included a dance called “Springtime”, where dancers wore the rainbow colored traditional dress of the Uyghur ethnic group of China and carried bells, and another dance with parasols and handkerchiefs, all choreographed and taught by student leaders in Chinese dance class.

As student ushers served delicious vegetarian dishes prepared by the hardworking kitchen staff and volunteers, everyone’s eyes were riveted on the stunning Lion Dance. They were then treated to uplifting music by the boys’ and girls’ Chinese orchestras, dances by the Bahai youth group Set Ablaze, a classical Japanese dance by the elder Ms. Shimada, flute music by Lakota Indian Thane Hake, and the spectacular Dragon Dance, among others.

Prof. Henry Rosemont, a Confucian scholar, told the audience that to cherish our children and ensure that our elders are at peace, is the most meaningful thing in life. He was delighted to see such an culturally diverse group of people of many generations gathered together for this meaningful celebration.

Although there were a few scheduling glitches, many guests said it was the best celebration they had ever attended. Each senior received a paper lotus, a handbag, and a card with the words:

Venerable Master Hua, the Founder of the City of 10,000 Buddhas, addressed some senior citizens as follows:

If your heart is young, age will depart because it cannot affect you. Buddhism teaches that, “Everything is made from the heart alone.” I hope that each of you will resolve to make your heart young. Your mind has no youth or age, no beginning or end. It can always work, and so now I am going to give you a job. This job requires no effort, no exertion, and no particular religious affiliation: according to the teachings of your own religion, PRAY FOR WORLD PEACE. You of long life are well able to do this work. Pray for a world of peace, a world without murder or war. This is the most important work there is. The work I have given you to do is the highest work, the work of sages.

法界觀音聖寺 At Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery, Malaysia

林寶英 文 by Lim Poh Eng
薛麗梅 中譯 Chinese Translated by Echo Hsueh

今年敬老節活動在法界觀音聖寺舉行,莊嚴聖潔的佛菩薩形像,感動與會的來賓。看到老人家虔誠地合掌頂禮諸佛菩薩,讓人深切體到會當年上人以感恩、眷顧的心提倡「敬老懷少」的本懷,除了讓老人家小朋友感受社會的溫馨外,也促成他們有機會來到佛堂禮拜佛菩薩,因而引度有緣的眾生入佛門。

信眾熱烈地參與,我們的道場充滿了歡慶的氣氛。彩色汽球團簇成一拱門,結綵在山門前。當天主要進餐處是佛殿入口前,金色的帳篷飾以紅緞。第二處即原來的齋堂。在兩個齋堂裡,各有舞台,所有的表演輪流上場。

除了一般老人家的報名外,我們並邀請了凱蘭谷區幾所老人之家的住眾,今年參加的人員將近千人,比往年增加了一倍。

當天星期天一大早,大型的遊覽巴士就在凱蘭谷區四處穿梭,接運在指定地點等候的人;運輸組也必須安排接送個別報名而無法自行前來的長者。老人家都一大早就期盼等候,惟恐錯失負責接送的組隊,並且熱切地期待當天的活動。

週日佛學少年班的學生在現場迎接佳賓,並帶領他們到座位上。最令人感到溫馨的是看到老人家的家人都小心奕奕地照顧好祖父母或父母親後,才到外面他們的位子入座。

有一團老人家身穿光鮮的T恤,精力充沛、滿心歡喜地步入會場,宣稱「老人中的冠軍」。他們並致贈法師一面錦旗以資紀念。

義工竭盡所能地招待照料老人家的需要。章法師及泰法師分別在佛殿及齋堂開示,展開敬老節的活動,居士代表分別上台致辭。

法界幼兒苑小朋友的吟誦及歌唱為節目拉開序幕。他們舞動可愛的小手,以「兩隻老虎」的曲調唱出「你也做好孩子,我也做好孩子,不吵架」的天真模樣,逗得老人家各個歡喜開懷。

一對金獅在鑼鼓喧天中出現,而兩對醒獅則在佛殿中向諸佛菩薩頂禮。好些人也在醒獅鑽遊餐桌間興奮地伸出手來拍拍他們。接下來,由男女最年長的二位代表受邀,分別在佛殿、齋堂舞台前切素糕,法界幼兒苑的兩位小朋友敬奉茶水。這是令人感動,也是最具有教育意義的一刻。

上供後,午齋緊接著開始,一道道佳餚準時陸續而出。進食中,各類的藝術表演為老人家們如儀上場。一位年輕女子獨唱民俗老歌,把老人家們帶進喜悅的回憶中,有些人邊聆聽,邊用腳打拍子。

中國管絃樂將我們的食堂帶入過去的歲月中。佛法班初學二胡的小同學們也展現了精彩的演出。

敬老節活動在二胡指導老師的獨奏及週日佛學班學生的歌舞中接近尾聲。法師領眾結齋。與會者手拿禮品及康乃馨,緩步走向出口時,醒獅們舞躍其中,歡送與會來賓,互道珍重。

 

Our annual celebration of Respecting the Elderly was held at Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery, which recently had its grand opening, thus allowing guests to constantly see the adorned statues of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. When we observed the seniors bowing and paying respect to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, we couldn’t help but sense the great intention of the Venerable Master in promoting “respecting the elders and cherishing the youth.” In addition to receiving caring attention from people, they also had the opportunity to pay obeisance to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

With enthusiasm, we all worked together to decorate our monastery in a festive way. An arch made of multi-colored balloons stood in front of the Mountain Gate. Golden canopies draped with red satin graced the entrance to the Buddha Hall, which served as the main dining area for the day. The other dining area was at the canteen. Two stages were built for the occasion – one in each dining area. The performances alternated smoothly between the two places.

Other than the regular registration of seniors, we also extended our invitation to the residents of various senior homes in and around the Klang Valley for the first time. Consequently, the number of participants rose to nearly a thousand; more than double that of previous years.

We had to arrange transportation for both groups, including the individual registrants who didn’t have rides. Consequently, early on the big day, Sunday, huge tour coaches traversed the Klang Valley to pick up the seniors at the designated spots. We were told that the seniors started waiting early in the morning in order not to miss the transport teams, and they were all looking forward to the great day ahead.

Upon arrival, our Sunday Dharma Class Youths were all at hand to receive them and usher them to their seats. As they streamed in, it was really heartwarming to see the elders’ family members hover protectively around their grandparents or parents before moving to their designated places outside.

There was a group of senior citizens strolling in with smiles, all hale and hearty, smartly dressed in T-shirts that proudly proclaimed “Champions of the Elderly!” This group later presented our Dharma Master with a pennant as a souvenir.

Our volunteers did a great job serving them and attending to their needs throughout the luncheon. DM Jang opened the program with a talk in the Buddha Hall, while DM Tai gave her talk at the canteen. Then representatives from the laity also gave speeches.

The children of Dharma Realm Young Learners’ Meadow recited and sang songs, waving their little hands and singing, “You be a good kid, and I’ll be a good kid; Let’s not fight with each other,” to the tune of “Two Tigers”. Their innocent and lively performance delighted the seniors.

The clash of cymbals and the beating of drums announced the arrival of a pair of golden lions. Two pairs bowed to the Buddhas in the main hall. The participants were thrilled to be up close to the lions. Many reached out to stroke the lions as they wove between the tables.

Next, the two eldest women were invited to a special tea and cake cutting ceremony in front of the stage in the canteen. Two kindergarten girls from Dharma Realm Young Learners’ Meadow offered them tea. A similar ceremony was held simultaneously in the Buddha Hall for the two eldest men. It was a meaningful and touching scene.

After the meal offering, the luncheon began in earnest. As dish after scrumptious dish was served, performances by the various artists entertained the senior citizens. A young girl sang some old folk songs and brought back fond memories for some, who tapped their feet as she sang. The Chinese orchestra filled the dining areas with strains of yesteryear. Even the Dharma class students who had just learnt to play the erhu [Chinese fiddle] gave a commendable performance.

The celebration concluded after a solo by our erhu instructor and a dance and songs by our Sunday Dharma Class students, with Dharma Masters leading the ceremony to end the meal. Holding gifts and some carnations from the table centre piece, the participants moved slowly to the exits, while the lions pranced around to see them off.

編按:法總所屬各道場每年都舉辦敬老懷少,因為篇幅有限,不能一一報導。遺珠之憾,謹此致歉!
Editor’s Note: At all DRBA monasteries, Honoring Elders and Cherishing Youth celebrations are held annually. This report covers only a few due to limited space. We regret not being able to include more celebrations!

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法界佛教總會Dharma Realm Buddhist Association │ © Vajra Bodhi Sea