After leaving Hualian 花莲后记

In summary, during my stay in Hualian, 10 people told me to return to my studies. They are the 4 SB from the Construction Department, 1 Shi Fu during a chat in the Abode, another Shi Fu while I was helping her with candle-making, 2 SG who are Xi De mother during the Tzu Ching camp, 1 SJ who is VP Lin secretary and 1 SG who gave me a ride from Abode to the train station. 2 people told me to think about it carefully, they are a Shi Fu during a chat in the Abode and Zheng Xian SX who recommended me to attend the Tzu Ching camp to understand Tzu Chi and me better.

一言以蔽之，我在花莲时有十位慈济人希望我回去读书，他们是营建处四位师伯师兄、一位在精舍闲聊的常住师父、一位我帮忙做福慧烛的常住师父、两位当懿德妈妈的师姑、当林副总秘书的一位师姐和一位送我到花莲火车站的师姑。两人希望我仔细想想，一位是在精舍闲聊的常住师父和建议我参加慈青营队多了解慈济和自己的政宪师兄。

Nobody asked me to stay in Hualian. Hence, I happily return back to Singapore.

没人要求我留在花莲。因此满心欢喜地回到新加坡。

Later I realized from Jiuan SX that Hualian works in an interesting way. If you are not totally committed to staying in Hualian, they will tell you to return back to what you are doing. Hualian is looking for someone who is totally committed in contributing to Tzu Chi and the world. Frankly, I am surprised upon hearing it but I understand the rational behind it. I have only myself to blame that I am still new to Tzu Chi and furthermore, I am not fully committed to staying in Hualian. Life is Hualian is simple and full of hardship. I can stand the hardship, although I am very surprise initially at the "primitive" way of life, which is extinct in Singapore.

后来建发师兄与我分享，花莲是个发愿的地方。如果你没有发心立愿要留在花莲，大家都会希望你回去。慈济希望回来花莲的都是全心全意回来奉献的。坦白说，听了这段话后，我感到十分惊讶，但是我了解其用意。我只能怪自己还是新进志工，并且没有发大愿要留在花莲。我虽然过得下花莲的俭朴生活，但还是对以在新加坡再也找不到的生活方式感到吃惊。

After returning to Singapore, I chatted with Beth and Marshall online. I came to understand that there are only a couple of Tzu Chi volunteers in Hualian who truly understand what Master is thinking. They are the few young people who gave up everything to return to Hualian and VP Lin. Unfortunately, they are not in Hualian during my stay and I missed my opportunity to speak to them. They will tell me the other side of the story where Master really needs us, professional educated young people, to return to Hualian to contribute to Tzu Chi.

回国后，我与怡玮和升伦在线上聊天，方了解就算是在花莲，只有少数慈济人真正了解上人的理念。他们是为数不多、放弃了一切回到花莲的清修士和林副总。很不幸的是，我在花莲时他们都不在。他们会告诉我上人真得需要我们这些年轻的专业人士回到花莲为慈济奉献。

There is one particular conversation I had with Marshall. He asked me whether I knew why Master started Tzu Chi. He told me that Master's idea is to open a door, a door of charity for people to enter to contribute. Eventually, Master hopes that after entering the door of charity, they will continue and enter the door of Buddhism. Hence, Master's work is similar to Buddha's way of teaching, where Buddha teaches 42 years of convenience teaching before he starts the truth teaching. Buddha's idea was to ensure that everybody had some knowledge of Buddhism and is well prepared before teaching the truth of Buddhism. In the same way, Master started our 4 missions: Charity, Medicine, Education and Culture as the door of charity. After 40 years, she formed the Tzu Chi Sect as a new sect of Buddhism and started encouraging us to learn the Amitartha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, which contains the truth of Buddhism.

其中我与升伦的一段话十分重要。他问我是否知道上人为什么开创慈济世界。他说上人希望开一扇门，让大家付出的一道善门。最终目标是希望会众从善门入佛门。佛陀说法四十九年，前四十二年说方便法，最后七年才说正法。佛陀认为不先说方便法，因缘不会具足，没人听得懂正法。上人是紧跟着佛陀的教诲，用了四十年开创慈济四大志业，慈善、医疗、教育、人文。因缘具足后，上人再立慈济宗门，并开始鼓励我们学习无量义经和法华经，佛教的大乘经典。

I replied that I knew that Master started our 4 missions and Buddha 2 stages of teaching, but I never link them together. However, I read in Master's explanation of the Amitartha Sutra that whenever a Buddha is going to leave the world, he will start explaining the Amitartha Sutra, which is what Master is doing now. Marshall replied me that Master once told us that Buddha only lived till 80, meaning that she will not live more than that. Master is 71 this year.

我回答说我明白上人开创慈济四大志业以及佛陀开演方便法和正法，但是我从来没有把这两件事情连接在一起。不过上人解说无量义经时，说道每当一尊佛准备入灭时，都会开讲法华三部经。而上人正在开演无量义经！升伦接着说上人提过佛陀只住世八十年，意味着上人自己不会住世多过八十年。而上人今年七十一岁。

It suddenly dawned on me why so many SX and SJ are working so hard to be certified. I understand why Marshall and Beth are encouraging me strongly to return to Hualian. Both of them are returning to Hualian in a year.

我这才恍然大悟，明白为何有那么多师兄和师姐如此精进，希望早日受证。我明白为什么升伦和怡玮如此的积极鼓励我回返花莲。两人都打算一年后回花莲。

However, Guo Chuo SB and Qiong Wen cautioned me not to read too much into "Master leaving us in a few years". Master wants us to work hard and continue Tzu Chi even when she is no longer around. If you are working so hard just to get certified while Master is still around, does that means that you will stop working once Master leaves? This is not what Master wants and one of the aims of Master starting Tzu Chi is to ensure that Tzu Chi volunteers will continue to work hard even when she is no longer around.

不过，果稠师伯和琼雯告诫我不要过度解读“上人将在几年后离世”这句话。上人希望当她不住世时，我们照样努力精进，维持慈济志业。如果你努力精进想受证，是否意味着上人一离世，你就不再精进？这并不是上人所要得。上人开创慈济世界的其中一项理由是希望当她不住世时，我们能依旧不间断地精进，护持慈济志业。

In the end, Marshall told me to go and watch "The Dharma as water" to better understand Master's teaching and write out my feelings. He will show it to VP Lin and see whether I have another chance to return to Hualian.

交淡后升伦告诉我去请“法譬如水”，以更加了解上人的法，并写出自己的心得。他将把我的心得交给林副总，让林副总决定我是否有另一次机会回返花莲。

Trip back to Tzu Chi Singapore 回返慈济慈新加坡分会

I returned to Singapore on 17 Jul 08, slightly before midnight. On 18 Jul 08, I reported back to Tzu Chi Singapore and look for Mo SX. We had a chat over lunch and I told him my trip to Hualian and my plans (or lack of plans) for the future.

我在七月十七日，近午夜时分回到新加坡。七月十八日，我回慈济新加坡分会找莫师兄及报到。我和莫师兄一起用膳，向他解释我回花莲的旅程以及我接下来的计划（或接下来还没有计划）。

I met many other SGs whom I knew in Singapore and was highly requested to return to Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital to volunteer.

我也与多位师姑们见过面，被积极要求返回广惠肇留医院当志工。

It is always a good feeling to be among Tzu Chi Volunteers. We are one big family.

与慈济人在一起被感温馨，因为我们都是一家人。

菩提心要 - 零八年七月二十三日 Puti - 23 Jul 08

我们需要多向会众宣导，佛法现代化和去除迷信。

The public need to be educated on the modernization of Buddhism and the disposing of superstitions.

对抗全球变暖藻类大有作为 Seaweeds are great help in combating global warming

运用智慧，我们一定能想出对抗全球暖化的方法。不过，这不代表我们无需克制我们那千尺高的欲望。

Putting our minds into work, I am sure we can come up with great ways to combat global warming. But this does not mean that we can let loose our unlimited desires.

对抗全球变暖藻类大有作为 - 奥斯陆法新电

能源需求有如一个无底坑，要如何满足这项需求又不促使温室气体激增呢？科研人员现在又有一个可能的答案：那就是藻类。

微藻具有吸收大量二氧化碳的生成特性，同时又能轻易转化成不同种类的燃料，无论是抑制气候变化或成为生产电能来源皆具巨大潜能。它不会带来化石燃料的污染问题，也没有核能的浪费和危险。

根据科研人员提出的设想，人们可将燃煤发电厂和其他工厂排出的废气，注入充满藻类、称作光生物反应器（photobioreactor）的大型透明管；一旦废气和水混合，藻类就会发挥光合作用，吸收大部分的二氧化碳。

对这项称为太阳能生物燃料的全新技术，美国麻省理工学院进行了测试，结果相当成功，叫人感到鼓舞：供电厂排出的废气经过藻类处理，二氧化碳含量少了50%至85%，另一种温室气体氮氧化合物的含量也降低了85%。微藻从管内取出后，可以埋在地下，或导入海床，把它们吸收的温室气体捕捉住。

另外，如果用生长在户外的微藻来发电，甚至可以产生“负碳”的效果，即它们在转化成能源的过程中，能够抽掉了大气层里的部分二氧化碳。这是因为微藻在生长期间，首先吸收了二氧化碳；在燃烧产生能源时，它们虽会释放二氧化碳，但现代捕捉技术能防止该气体回返大气层。

和使用粮食作物生产的第一代生物燃料比较，微藻也具备不占用农田的巨大优势。和其他陆地的含油植物比较，它的产油效率也远远胜出。以产油效率最高的棕榈树来说，要满足美国的燃料需求，就必须占用全美48%农田，藻类却只需要相等于5%农田的空间。

目前，美国、德国和澳大利亚等国的学者，以及一些跨国大企业已经积极开发海藻能源。

联合早报 - 2008年7月22日

Tzu Chi Construction Department 慈济营建处

My main aim of returning to Hualian was to visit Tzu Chi Construction Department for an interview, to determine whether I am suitable for a job there. However, when I arrive at Hualian, very unfortunately, VP Lin went overseas two days after my arrival and the Head of the Construction Department Lin SB was in Myanmar.

我返回花莲的主要目的是到慈济营建处面试，以确定我是否适合在营建处工作。不过当我到花莲时，很可惜林副总在两天前出了国，而营建处林处长则刚好在缅甸赈灾。

Hence, I was interviewed by Section Head Qiu SB. He was very happy to let me join the Construction Department but he wished to know why with my background, I can get a fantastic job elsewhere, do I choose to return to Hualian. I had a long discussion with Qiu SB, telling me that I felt very troubled in Boston and lost interest in my research. Marshall asked me whether I am interested in returning to work in Hualian and I agreed, since my mechanical engineering background is useful and hoping to use that opportunity to contribute to Tzu Chi as well as figure out what I want in life.

因此我被邱组长面试。他很高兴并欢迎我加入营建处，但是很想知道为什么以我的学历，外头高薪不在话下，为何选择回慈济。说来话长，我用心地让邱组长了解，我在波士顿念书念的非常烦恼，对研究失去了兴趣。升伦问我是否有意愿回营建处工作时，我便答应了。想想我的机械工程背景在营建这方能派上用场，也希望用这个机会为慈济作点贡献和寻找我的人生目标。

Qiu SB gave me his point of view. Firstly, my mechanical background will be useful, but only for a small portion of the work in the Construction Department. There are other stuffs to be learned, he is sure that I can learned them well, although he believed that I will not find them too challenging.

听了我的解释，邱组长给了我他的观点。首先，我的机械工程背景的确对营建这方有益，但只是营建的一小部分工作。如果我留下，还有其他各各方面要学。邱组长认为我会学得很快，游刃有余，甚至觉得缺少挑战性。

Secondly, he do not mind letting me joined the Construction Department as he believed that with my different background, sparks may occurred during interactions and something new may come out.

其次，他不介意让我加入营建处。因为他相信我不同的背景，可能在与营建处同仁互动时擦出创意的火花。

Thirdly, although he believed that the work carried out in the Construction Department is not suitable for me, he do not mind letting me stay and work while using my stay in Hualian to figure out what I want to do with my life. However, he cautioned me that even if I stayed in Hualian, I still will not be able to figure out what I want with my life (something that VP Lin secretary agreed) as the work pace is too hectic for people to take a step back and think.

其三，邱组长虽然认为营建处的工作不适合我，但是他不介意让我留下工作，用留在花莲的时间寻找我的人生目标。不过邱组长提醒我，即使我留在花莲，我也未必找到我的人生目标（这得到林副总的秘书的认同），因为慈济工作繁重，没时间静下心来思考。

Fourthly, he believed that my ideal way of contributing to Tzu Chi is not to remain in Hualian but rather go and finish my studies in Construction (since this is my interest). Qiu SB explained the whole construction flow chart to me, all the way from the upstream to downstream as well as the various parties of interest involved. Qiu SB highlighted that the work of Tzu Chi Construction Department is actually more of the downstream work: project management and liaising with architectural firms as well as contractors. My contribution should be in the upstream research and development stages where I developed new ideas for Tzu Chi to implement.

其四，邱组长认为我对慈济的贡献方式不因该是留在花莲，而是去把书念完，完成我在营建方面的研究（因为那是我的兴趣）。邱组长向我解释了整个营建流程，从上游至下游，以及所涉及的各方。邱组长指出慈济营建处的工作其实是下游工程：工程管理以及联络建筑事务所和承包商。我的贡献应该在上游的研发，研究新的科技让慈济落实。

Lastly, Qiu SB told me that after all his explanation, if I still want to stay in Hualian, he will take me in. I am different from the others that he interviewed as I wanted to figure out what i want in life. The rest just wanted a job.

最后邱组长告诉我，经过他的一番解释，如果我仍然想留在花莲，他会答应。我与他面试过的其他人不同。我正在思考我人生要什么，其他人只想要份工作。


Qiu SB will also be out of town in a couple of days and he introduced me to Zhao Ming SX, the legendary SX (as introduced by the Tzu Ching senior during the Tzu Ching camp) who earned his architectural license by using pencils that are shorter than 5 cm. Basically, Zhao Ming SX advice to me is similar to Qiu SB. However, he went a step further by bringing me around Tzu Chi Headquarters to let me understand the work of the Construction Department.

邱组长即将出城几天，他向我介昭铭明师兄（慈青营队时，学长分享昭铭师兄是如何地用短过五厘米的铅笔考到他的建筑执照）。基本上，昭铭师兄的意见与邱组长类似。不过，邱组长用说的，昭铭师兄用看的，带我到慈济各处，让我了解营建处的工作。

I attended a meeting in the Abode involving Master, VP Lin, the Construction Department and Tzu Chi Construction Volunteers. I am amazed at the details that Master looked into for the project. It is no wonder that Master is always so busy and tired.

我参加了一项在精舍的营建会议，上人、林副总，营建处同仁和营建慈诚都在场。我很惊讶的发现小小得细节上人也要了解，真的是很用心。难怪上人总是那么忙碌和疲惫。

I visited the Simulated Operation Theater in our Tzu Chi University where our medical student perform operations on our "silent teacher" (dead bodies), which was under construction and Zhao Ming SX was there to speak to the foreman as the construction is behind schedule.

我参观了慈济大学的模拟手术室。那是慈大医学生向“无语良师”模拟手术之地。昭铭师兄因为手术室改建工程落后于计划，而到场向工头了解情况。

I visited our Tzu Chi Hospital and went into an actual Operation Theater. We had to dress up in medical gowns and covered up our hair and shoes. Zhao Ming SX and the foreman were looking for a particular colour tile in that Operation Theater.

我也参观了慈济医院的真实手术室。我们必须穿上医疗袍和把头发及鞋子盖起来。昭铭师兄和工头是到手术室内确定墙砖的颜色，以应用在慈大的模拟手术室里。

Lastly, I had several discussions with Zhao Ming SX, who introduced to me some of the Green buildings Tzu Chi built and the various other Green buildings implemented by others (including the building of our very own Singapore National Library).

最后，昭铭师兄和我做了多番讨论，昭铭师兄向我介绍了几座慈济和其他各地建造的绿色建筑（包括了新加坡国家图书馆）。

After a few days of consideration as well as further advices from a few Shi Fu at the Abode and various SG, who all gave me similar suggestion of returning to my studies, I decided to finish my studies. On the second last day, the Head of the Construction Department Lin SB returned from Myanmar and I finally got a chance to meet him.

经过几天的考虑，加上几位常住师父和师姑都建议我回去把书念完，我决定回去把书念完。回国的最后第二天，我终于有机会与刚从缅甸回台的营建处林处长会面。

I explained my situation, all the advices I received and my own decision to Lin SB. He agreed. I told him further that after I return home to Singapore, I will re-apply to universities in Building Technology. However, there is an empty period between my application and the outcome as well as admission. I asked Lin SB whether I can spend the empty period in the Construction Department, to learn and get some exposure. Lin SB agreed.

我向林处长解释了我的情况，所得到的全部意见和我本身的决定。林处长认同我的决定。我进一步告诉林处长，当我回国后我会重新申请到大学的建筑系就读。不过大学申请和入学之间有个空档期，希望能在营建处学习。林处长也答应了。

That concluded my visit to the Construction Department. But I must mention the administrative section, especially Huang SG, who were very kind to me, ensuring that I got lunch daily, I caught the bus back to Abode on time and many other acts of kindness.

在林处长的答应声中，我结束了营建处的面试。特别感恩营建处行政组黄师姑的照顾，确保每天我有用午膳、赶得及搭巴士回精舍以及许许多多的关心。

I sincerely thank everybody in the Construction Department.

无限感恩营建处的每一位师伯、师姑、师兄和师姐。

Hualian Tzu Chi Headquarters 花莲静思堂

Hualian Tzu Chi Headquarters is the main office of all our Tzu Chi branches all over the world. There is a difference between Tzu Chi Headquarters and Abode. They are registered as two different entities and donations are not exchangeable. No donation to Tzu Chi went into the Abode where Master lives.

花莲慈济静思堂是遍布世界各地慈济分支连点的总部。必须把慈济静思堂总部和慈济静思精舍分清楚。虽同为慈济，静思堂和精舍是个别登记的。各自的捐款是分开募的，款项也不能互相兑换，捐赠慈济的善款并没有用在供养上人的饮食起居及精舍。

The interior of Tzu Chi Headquarters consist of basements where camps are organized, the main hall where official events take place, the viewing gallery showcasing Tzu Chi activities, the Fa Hua slopes on both sides of the main hall introducing Tzu Chi events internationally.

静思堂总部分成主办营队的地下室、主办大型活动的大礼堂、展示慈济志业的展览厅以及在大礼堂两侧介绍全球慈济分支连点的法华坡道。


Of course, we have our very own "Jing Si Books and Cafe" on the first floor, selling our books, shows and non-disposable utensils. Furthermore, this is the only place with wifi internet connection.

当然我们有位于一楼的“静思书轩”，出售慈济书籍和环保餐具。此外书轩是唯一能无线上网之地。

Outside in the open ground, statues are scattered all over, explaining our main activities. The statues below I believed is the main statue, telling us how Master managed to get the public to support her cause to build a hospital.

在静思堂外的草地，雕像错落各地，解释着我们的四大八印。下方雕像我相信主要告诉我们，上人是如何得到会众的支持，兴建医院。

This is my personal favourite shot. In the background is our modern building of the Tzu Chi Headquarters. In the foreground is the small wooden hut, the very first place where Master started to learn Buddhism and got the idea of starting Tzu Chi. In the middle is a line of Tzu Ching, the future of Tzu Chi. In this picture, the idea of continuing Tzu Chi is clear.

这是我最喜爱的照片。背景是我们现有的慈济静思堂总部。前方是仿造的小木屋，上人四十多年前开始修行学佛的第一地。行在静思堂与小木屋中间的是绵绵不绝的慈青，未来的慈济人。在此照片中，传承静思法脉、弘扬慈济宗门的意境，不言而喻。

On the right hand side of Tzu Chi Headquarters is our Tzu Chi Hospital. In fact, it should be the other way round, our Tzu Chi Hospital was built first. Our Hospital took 16 years before we raised enough funds and 2 ground-breaking as the first plot of land was recalled by the government.

静思堂总部的右手边是慈济医院。事实上，是先有慈院后有静思堂。慈院前后花了十六年方凑够款项及两次动土才落成。第一次动土因为政府征用土地而作罢。

In every one of our hospital, in the main hall, there will be this picture of "Buddha looking after a sick monk", emphasizing the compassion side of Buddhism. I do not know why, but among the 3 such pictures I seen, I always found that the Buddha in the portrait looks like Master and the monk behind the Buddha looks like Master's teacher.

每所慈院的大厅，一定会有张“佛陀问病”图，以显示佛教的悲心。不知为什么，我看过的三张“佛陀问病”图，总是觉得佛陀及其身后的僧侣，身影十分象印顺导师和上人。

On the left hand side of Tzu Chi Headquarters is our Tzu Chi University. Originally a Medical College started by Master when she completed building Tzu Chi Hospital and realized that there are not enough medical doctors.

静思堂总部的左手边是慈济大学。慈济大学原本是慈济医学院，当年建好慈院后发现没有足够的大医王，上人便开始筹建医学院。

Over the years, we added the humanities section and together with the nursing college, we merged all to form Tzu Chi University. The university was clean and big, but relatively quiet. I was guessing that it is summer time and semester has not started.

多年来，我们增加了人文系，并把后来筹建的护理专科学院，一起合并成现在的慈济大学。慈大校园清洁和宽敞，不过相对平静，可能是还在放暑假。

Our "silent teacher" is something that must be mentioned. Encouraged by Master, Tzu Chi volunteers, after reaching their final stage of their life, will donate their dead bodies to Tzu Chi University for teaching. There are two main uses, one for students to understand the human body better, another for simulated operation for students to gain experience. The dead bodies will be used for roughly three months, after which a formal funeral ceremony was performed. The bodies will be cremated and a portion of the ashes will be placed at the urn (sampled shown below) and housed in our "Da She" Hall.

慈济的“无语良师”不可不提。在上人的呼吁下，慈济人在其人生的最后旅程，把大体捐出，供慈济大学作教学用途。大体主要有两种用途，一是用在解剥学上让学生更了解人体的奥妙。另外是用在慈济全球首创的模拟手术，让学生在大体上操作手术，汲取经验。大体在慈大共学生研究约三个月后，我们会为“无语良师”们举办场庄严的欢送仪式。火化后，一部份的骨灰会被放置在骨灰塔内（如下方照片），并安奉在大舍堂。

In short, Tzu Chi Hospital, Tzu Chi Headquarters, Tzu Chi University, together with the Abode, are the foundation of Tzu Chi, emphasizing the spirit and teaching of Master.

一言以蔽之，慈济医院、慈济静思堂总部、慈济大学和静思精舍，是慈济的根基，也是上人精神和理念的展示。

Tzu Ching camp in Hualian 慈济大专青年联谊会心灵成长营

When I was at Hualian, during the weekend, Zheng Xian SX recommended me to joined the Tzu Ching Camp. This is my first time attending a Tzu Chi / Tzu Ching Camp, although I did not attended it fully as I return to the Abode to sleep while all the Tzu Ching slept in Tzu Chi Headquarters, hence missing the evening sessions. Furthermore, I skipped some of the sessions as I was chatting with Sarah back in Boston.

在花莲的周末，政宪师兄建议我参加慈青营队。这还是我身平第一次参加慈济或慈青营队。慈青伙伴们在静思堂总部安单，而我必须返回精舍，因而没有全程参与，错过了晚间的营队。此外和人在波士顿的于嘉在线上聊天，我也略过了些课程。

Frankly, I came across most of the topics touched during the camp: charity, hospital volunteering, recycling, Da Ai television and filial piety. However, the speakers are the best Tzu Chi has and they shared their best experience with us. The various sessions were very inspiring. A SG coaching Tzu Ching shared with us "only with a clear goal and many attempts, we can slowly find out our direction in life". De An Shi Fu encouraged us "to do Tzu Chi till our very last breath". I take "our very breath" as donating our body to our Tzu Chi University for medical students practice.

坦白说，营队的课题我大部分都接触过：慈善、医疗、环保、大爱电视和孝道。不过，言讲者都是资深的慈济人，与大家分享的心得和精进路程非常有启发性。一位懿德妈妈与我们分享了“在明确的目标和多方尝试下，慢慢找出我们生活的目标”。德安师父带领我们发愿“做慈济，做到我们最后一口气”。我认为“最后一口气”因该就是做大体捐赠。

The most noticeable was the table manners observed during meals. We chant prayers before each meal and had to enter our seats from the left side. No noise was heard and every food was finished. During one meal, we had "Master's rice", the food that our Master will eat when she is in a hurry or out of Abode, a very simple meal. In another meal, we had "Xiang Ji rice", potable rice that can be eaten by just adding cold water (hot water is better of course), used mostly during international relief.

我体悟最明显的是用膳入桌礼仪。我们先唱诵供养歌，从左侧入坐。用膳时必须无声并且把素食都惜福完。其中一膳我们用“师公饭”，上人赶时间或行脚时的膳食。在另一膳我们用“香积饭”，国际赈灾时用的及时便当，加入冷水（当然热水更佳）便可食用。

I came across the Tzu Ching bunks one day and realized that they all bunked together, a very familiar army style.

一天无意闯进慈青们的安单处，发现原来他们都在打地铺，似曾相识的兵营风格。

The most significant experience I had was a chat with a SG coaching Tzu Ching. I asked her why I feel so troubled. She replied that it is because I did not learn Master's teaching well. I need to watch "Wisdom at Dawn" and "The Dharma as Water" as well as read Master "Diary of Footsteps". Understand more of Master's teachings everyday, ensure that you learned more today compared to yesterday, learned more tomorrow compared to today, increase your understanding day by day and lessen your trouble day by day.

最大的收获是和一位懿德妈妈交谈。我问师姑为什么我烦恼覆心。师姑告诉我，因为我没学好上人的法。要多听《静思晨语》、看《法譬如水》、读《纳履足迹》。每天了解上人的法多一点：今天比昨天多学了一点，明天比今天做的好一点；一天一天的累积，一天一天的减少烦恼。

菩提心要 - 零八年七月十九日 Puti - 19 Jul 08

大地病的很重，大家都要下决心抢救，马上、立刻、现在！

Our environment is critically sick; everybody needs to do their part, right now!

发放补贴时 亲人登门日 老人院这种“牵手”让人心酸 Relatives visit old folk’s home to “hold their hands” to collect from elderly the rebates issued by government

当父母往生后，再烧一大堆纸钱和请法师诵经超度，不如趁父母尚在世时下功夫好好地孝顺他们。

What is the point of burning all the paper money and inviting monks to chant all the sutras after your parents passed away when you do not make the effort to be filial to them when they are still alive?

发放补贴时 亲人登门日 老人院这种“牵手”让人心酸 - 潘星华

政府发放乐龄人士花红照顾年长的国人虽好，但对于一些住在老人院的老人来说，这不一定是让他们觉得欣慰的时刻。

居士林林长的李木源告诉本报：“我是光明山老人院的秘书。据我所知，老人院的老人平日没有亲人探访，可是在农历新年后，亲人知道老人收了红包，就来把他们身上的红包搜刮一空。每逢政府发放乐龄人士花红、消费税补贴时，也是亲人到老人院来按老人手指印去领钱的时候。领了钱，有没有给老人家买东西，我不知道。”

他忆述20年前一段往事时说，光明山放生池曾经成了被一名年轻妇女把她患上痴呆症的家婆带去“放生”的地方。这个年逾八十的老妇，坐在放生池旁目光呆滞地不知所措，被光明山普觉禅寺住持宏船法师发现了，把她交给李木源去照顾。

佛教放生，是一项慈悲活动。光明山放生池吸引了很多人带小动物去放生。但把自己家里的老人也放在这个放生池“放生”，令人感慨。

李木源说：“老人身上什么证件都没有，我驾车带她到附近去寻找她的家，她认不出，最后只好把她送进广达老人院去终老，这实在是太可悲的事。”

人口老化，政府计划兴建更多老人院，李木源认为这治标不治本。他说：“华文教育式微，社会的价值观也改变了，新加坡已经变成一个无情的地方。我看到很多兄弟姐妹、父子母女打官司，感到很痛心。没有了亲情，产生很多社会问题。

为了提醒大家对亲情的关注，佛教居士林与新加坡文艺协会在本星期日（7月20日）下午3时至5时，在居士林7楼礼堂，举行“亲情讲座”系列第一讲。由本地作家潘家福导读朱自清的散文《背影》，梁三白导读自己写作的新诗《雨树》，长谣导读自己创作的小说《陌生的童声》。这三篇以亲情为主题的作品都是中学华文课本里的课文。

“亲情讲座”以后将继续定期举办。李木源说，“举办这个讲座是及时的。西方极乐世界无不孝子。有些人不孝父母，却拜菩萨。我对他们说，‘家里有活菩萨不拜，拜泥菩萨有什么用？

除了讲座，一个名为“亲情征文比赛”的活动，也同时展开，9月30日截止。比赛分学生组和公开组。新加坡文艺协会会长叶昆灿说，入选的佳作，日后将结集成册。

作品可寄新加坡文艺协会，地址：15N, Lim Tua Tow Rd, Singapore 547751。网址：www.singaporeliteraturesociety.com

居士林地址在17-19 Kim Yam Rd，可致电6737-2630索取讲座免费入场券。把家中老人带到老人院“放生”，我国年轻一代很无情？请上omy.sg“早报谈吧”发表你的意见。

联合早报 - 2008年7月19日

菩提心要 - 零八年七月十七日 Puti - 17 Jul 08

上人常说：“世上有两件事不能等，行善和行孝”。

Master is always saying:”there are 2 matters in the world that we cannot afford to wait, charity and filial piety”.

亲身感受瑞士的环保 Personally experiencing Switzerland recycling efforts

多么希望新加坡和美国的政府能克勤克难的推动环保。

How I wish governments of both Singapore and America can put in their concerted efforts to encourage recycling.

亲身感受瑞士的环保 - 赵子郡（伦敦，作者是中国留英硕士生）

笔者近日在瑞士洛桑奥林匹克博物馆的北京奥运展区，观看了有关中国环境污染现状和治理方面的图片和文字，不禁想起近日关于海藻侵入青岛奥运帆船比赛海域的相关报道，内心难免忧心忡忡。走出户外，我在赞叹瑞士的自然风光和环保措施，自然就想到了我自己的国家。的确，瑞士成功的环保，是坚持不懈努力的结果，不乏一些启示可供借鉴。

早在140年前，苏黎士就建立了污水净化设施；100年前，日内瓦就开始对城市进行有计划的绿化。瑞士是世界上最富裕的国家之一，汽车普及率极广。20多年前，瑞士政府就鼓励民众使用公共交通工具，以减少汽车尾气所造成的空气污染。如今，被誉为“绿色交通工具”的有轨电车已经成为街头一道独特的风景线。此外，瑞士还拥有9条总长3300公里的自行车道。平时即使遇上红灯或是短暂的堵车，驾驶者一般也会熄火以减少汽车尾气排放。

不同发展阶段的不同情形

瑞士人对环保的考虑细致入微，各个城市的照明严格执行低能耗标准；超市一般都设有回收塑料制品和电池的装置，鼓励顾客使用纸质或布质的购物袋以减少白色污染；一些旅游城市更是重视环保，比如马特洪峰所在地的策马特镇，就明令禁止燃油类车辆进入，旅客必须搭乘专线火车；在很多小镇，无污染的电动车和马车是主要的交通工具。

政府还采用税收减免和补助津贴等政策鼓励国民建设节能型房屋。瑞士的许多建筑物都装有专用雨水流通管道，可蓄存雨水，循环利用。即使是国家大型建设项目，设计者首要就是充分考虑环保。比如在修建阿尔卑斯山的隧道时，从隧道中挖出的矿石被用于修建其他工程或是作为水泥厂的原材料，尽量减少工程对环境的破坏。瑞士人重视环保教育。学校基本上都开设与环境相关的课程。有关部门经常免费向居民分发环保的宣传资料，并定期举行活动。瑞士街道干净整洁，很难看到随手丢弃的废弃物。居民自觉地把垃圾进行分类整理，保证不让有害物质破坏环境，并确保可回收资源的循环利用。

这些年来，中国经济高速增长，生活水平不断提高，但也付出了沉重的代价，如森林滥伐和草场退化引发了一系列环境问题，空气污染和水污染也在持续恶化。

改革开放以来，为满足工厂和建筑业的需求，树木被大量砍伐。尽管近些年政府采取了植树造林等措施，但森林覆盖率远低于世界平均水平。植被的减少带来了如生物多样性丧失、土地荒漠化、沙尘暴、洪水等灾害。就在上周，媒体还有关于“西双版纳因橡胶行业暴利促成热带雨林被大规模被毁”的报道。

中国是能源消耗大国，一半以上的能源来自煤炭，天然气等清洁能源使用不到10％。煤炭的使用造成温室气体大量排放。加入WTO以后，由于受到人均收入增长、汽车价格下降、贷款限制减少等因素的刺激，中国国民对轿车的需求急剧增加。但相关法令并不完善，加之燃料质量低劣，人们对环保的重视程度不够，废物、废气等污染物的排放量居高不下。

此外，水污染已成为一大诟病。据称中国七大流域的70％都受到了严重污染。北京奥运会帆船赛举办地青岛近海海域涌现大面积海藻，就是由于工业和生活污水的排放导致水域富营养化，藻类大量繁殖，破坏了水体的生态平衡。

汲取发达国家经验教训

回顾历史，不难发现瑞士也曾饱受环境污染之苦。19世纪末，随着旅游业的兴起，蒸汽火车投入使用。由于煤炭资源有限，大量树木被砍伐以作为燃料使用，从而引发了一系列环境问题。因此，瑞士政府于1902年颁布了《森林保护法》，该法案成为瑞士历史上第一个环保法规，它及时有效地制止了人们对森林的盲目砍伐和破坏。如今的瑞士森林覆盖率高达30%以上。

上世纪中期，随着工业的迅速发展，许多工厂拔地而起，工业污水和废气对环境的污染日益严重。与此同时，汽车的大量使用也给空气造成很大污染。为此，瑞士各级政府制定了全面详细的环保法律法规，并实行严格的执法手段。政府非常重视企业在环保中的作用，对企业征收垃圾处理税、能源消费税等税种，并采取颁发消费许可证和补贴等多种经济手段。

瑞士在环境保护方面取得了举世公认的成就。根据今年全球经济论坛上公布的2008年环境保护指数，在参与调查的149个国家中，瑞士的综合得分最高。瑞士人在提倡环保的同时，也受益于环保。瑞士境内70％湖泊的水可直接饮用。赏心悦目的环境充分释放了瑞士人的创造力，使这个中欧小国生产的许多产品处于世界顶级水平。瑞士的众多环保技术一直处于世界前列，拥有大量的环境工业从业人员，年收益近100亿瑞郎。

其实不单单是瑞士，笔者身居欧洲，发现西方许多国家及公民都十分重视环保，这是由于他们在工业化初期也曾受到环境污染的困扰。也许这是一个不可避免的过程，但是如果能够充分认识这个过程，并采取有力措施，污染所造成的损害就会大大降低。可喜的是，随着与世界逐步接轨，加之奥运临近，中国政府和国民的环保意识不断加强。上月“限塑令”正式生效显示了中国在环保方面的决心。海外媒体对此也纷纷予以关注，称赞其环保走向世界前列。

但也应该看到，中国的环保之路才刚刚起步，在许多方面还有很大不足。政府应该不断改进环保手段，完善法律法规，加大惩罚力度，鼓励公众参与，特别是加强环保意识和环保知识的普及。中国可以效仿瑞士等西方发达国家的经验，绝不能放任不同利益集团各自为政，为眼前利益而牺牲长远利益。

联合早报 - 2008年7月17日