慈济波士顿联络处 Tzu Chi Boston

记得刚到波士顿时，不到几个周末，我就拨了个电话给慈济波士顿联络处。是济逢师伯接的电话。济逢师伯热情的欢迎我，并把波士顿联络处的地址给了我。我答应，会尽快到波士顿联络处去。

I recalled calling Tzu Chi Boston during one of the weekend when I first arrived in Boston. Ji Feng SB answered the call. He warmly welcomes me and gave me Tzu Chi address in Boston. I told him that I will pay Tzu Chi a visit soon.

应该是两个礼拜后，礼拜天，我搭地铁到市区。济逢师伯给我的地址是“夏季街三十号，波士顿”，就在市中心。但是，我花了一整个早上，从夏季街一号走到夏季街五百多号，还是无法找到慈济会所。

I think it is 2 weeks later, on a Sunday. I took the train downtown. The address I got from Ji Feng SB was "30 Summer Street, Boston". Google map told me that the place is right in the downtown of Boston. But reaching there in the morning and after spending more than an hour, walking up and down Summer Street, I am still unable to location Tzu Chi.

没办法，只好再次拨电话给济逢师伯。恍然大悟，地址没错，是“夏季街三十号”，不过是“牛顿（市）”，并非“波士顿”！走了一早上的冤枉路，真得是太累了，只好告诉济逢师伯，我过一两个礼拜再到慈济会所。

Finally giving up, I called Ji Feng SB again. This time, I heard him clearly. It is 30 Summer Street all right, but in "Newton", not "Boston". I was too tired to make another trip to Newton and I told Ji Feng SB that I will visit Tzu Chi Boston next week or the week after.

一两个礼拜后，我终于搭上了地铁，绿线，前往艾略特地铁站。到达后，下着绵绵细雨，我拨电话给济逢师伯，想知道往会所的路。感恩，济逢师伯吩咐我在地铁站等他，他洗个澡，就来接我。

A week or two later, I finally boarded the train, green line to Eliot Station. When I reach Eliot, it is raining slightly. I call Tzu Chi and again Ji Feng SB answer. I asked him how to get to Tzu Chi and he told me to wait for him at the station. He will come and fetch me after bathing.

稍等片刻，我终于见到了济逢师伯。济逢师伯告诉我，慈济波士顿联络处刚刚买下新会所，正在装修。会所以前是牛顿市的第一所教堂，因为人口变迁，教徒渐少，所以被慈济买下。拨给会所的电话，都转至济逢师伯的手机，难怪我每次拨会所的电话，都是济逢师伯接听。

After waiting for a while, I finally met Ji Feng SB. He told me that the building of Tzu Chi Boston was bought recently and presently undergoing renovation. The building used to be the first church in Newton. However, due to declining Christians in the area, we bought it over. All calls are forwarded to his cell phone. No wonder it is always him that answers my call.

济逢师伯把车驾至会所，还带我进入看看。礼堂又大又空，乱成一团，只有无量义经安挂在礼堂正中央。济逢师伯与我，向无量义经行三问讯礼后，方离去。

Ji Feng brought me into the building. It was big and empty. Everything is in a mess, the only thing considered done is a copy of Lotus Sutra hanging on the stage. We paid respect to the Lotus Sutra before leaving.

先倒回济逢师伯家拿一封信，我们再到慈济人文学校。因为会所正好装修，慈济活动大多集中在人文学校。在济逢师伯的讲解下，我方知道，人文学校只在礼拜天上课，我们是象贝得福得市的一间初中租用办校场地。

After a short detour to Ji Feng's place to pick up a letter, we went to Tzu Chi Chinese School. Since our building is under renovation, all activities are concentrated at the Chinese School. I realized later that it is actually a Sunday school and we rent the premises from a middle school in Bedford.

在人文学校，我认识了蔡师姑，慈济波士顿的第一颗种子：越南华裔、老当益壮、精通话语和广东话、也是唯一与我讲潮州话的慈济人。我也认识了建发师兄和小芳师姐，夫妻档，也是慈青联络人。我就在学校的食堂与大家闲聊，多了解慈济波士顿的活动，多认识慈济波士顿的师姑、师伯们。

There, I was introduced to Cai SG, the first Tzu Chi member in Boston, a lively senior from Vietnam who speaks Teochew with me. She is Chinese and can speak Cantonese and Taiwanese as well. I was also introduced to Jian Fa SX and Judy SJ, a couple who are advisers to Tzu Ching. I hang around, understand more about the activities of Tzu Chi in Boston as well as the people in Tzu Chi.

刚巧，建发师兄和小芳师姐就住在我学校附近。十二点半下课后，他们便送我回家。

Since Jian Fa SX and Judy SJ live very near to MIT, they gave me a ride back home later at 12 plus when classes ended.

我终于在波士顿找到了我心灵的故乡，慈济波士顿。

I finally found Tzu Chi in Boston.

Well wishes from Tzu Chi Singapore 慈济新加坡的祝福

When SG and SB from Tzu Chi know that I am going to Boston for studies, they gave me a lot of encouragement and expectation. I am indeed very fortunate.

当师姑、师伯们得知我将远赴波士顿深造时，他们给予我莫大的鼓励与期望。感恩，无限感恩。

Ming Feng SG not only encourage me to get the grey uniform before leaving for Boston, she was planning to get several SG to send me off at the airport. I told her that it was too troublesome but she insisted. It was only after telling her that my flight is 6 am in the morning and I will be reaching the airport at 4.30 am that she put off the idea since most of the SG live quite far from the airport. But she also gave me a high target, get a flower back from Boston (get certified from Tzu Chi).

鸣风师姑不止鼓励我领了灰衣后再到波士顿，她还准备找几位师姑到机场送我。我婉拒了她的好意，但是鸣凤师姑坚持。后来，我告诉她我那班机是凌晨六点，而我凌晨四点半需要到达机场。鸣凤师姑这还不再坚持来送机，因为好些师姑的住家离机场极远。不过，鸣凤师姑给了我一个很高的目标：从波士顿拿一朵会回来（受证）。

Yi Sheng SB gave me a lunch treat during my last institutional care at KWSH and gave me several words of encouragement to work hard for my PhD.

最后一次在广惠肇关怀后，毅盛师伯请我吃了一顿很美味的素食午餐，并给了我几句鼓励的话。共勉之：

陈府子孝孙贤永流芳
荣耀源自优良祖德累世慈悲修慧终成明亮善果
光辉归于贤能子孙禀赋聪慧勤奋造就杰出栋梁

Cai Ming SG gave me the address of her uncle living in Boston and her son's email, who is an undergraduate at John Hopkins in Baltimore, near Washington DC.

彩明师姑把她表叔在波士顿的地址给了我，有什么事可以找他帮忙。她也把在首都华盛顿附近读本科的儿子的电子邮件地址给了我，有空到他那游玩。

My set of grey uniform is a gift from Guo Xiang SG. I wore it to KWSH and Tzu Chi during the last week before I fly to Boston.

我的一套灰衣制服是国香师姑与我结缘的。我在新加坡的最后一周都穿着灰衣到广惠肇和会所。

The collar pin was given by A1 SG.

慈济标志的衣领别针则是A1师姑给的。

In short, Tzu Chi in Singapore took very good care of me during the past 6 months. I am truly grateful to them.

总而言之，新加坡的师姑、师伯、师兄和师姐们在这短短的六个月里，真的对我很好。除了感恩，还是感恩。

Gan En

感恩

Motive 私心

I am very glad to join Tzu Chi and enjoy Tzu Chi various activities. But to say that I joined Tzu Chi wholeheartedly initially without any other motives will not be totally true. There is a small part of me that knew that joining Tzu Chi will make my resume look much better. Furthermore, there is a scholarship that I will be applying later in Singapore before coming over to Boston and carrying out community services is a major positive advantage.

我很高兴能加入慈济，也很欢喜地参加慈济的种种活动。但是，当初加入慈济，我并不是毫无私心的。有一小部分是因为加入慈济会让我的简历更吸引人。更何况，我打算在还没来波士顿时，在新加坡申请一份奖学金。而在慈济做义工，会是一大强项。

In the end, I did write down the various activities I did in Tzu Chi for the scholarship. But I did not get an endorsement letter from Tzu Chi because I realize that what I did is so insignificant compared to other Tzu Chi fellows. Furthermore, I did not want to give Tzu Chi the impression that I joined them just to get a scholarship as I want to continue my life journey with Tzu Chi.

最后，我的确有把在慈济所做的各项活动写入奖学金申请表格里。但是，我并没有向慈济要一封推荐信。因为我发现我在慈济做的事，跟众师伯、师姑、师姐和师兄比起，以多么的微不足道。更何况，我是很想继续在慈济的菩萨道上走下去，不想让慈济认为我加入纯粹是为了奖学金。

I did not get that scholarship.

我没拿到那份奖学金。

I remember a SG telling me that it is very common that people initially joined Tzu Chi with various motives. The important thing is that hopefully, they will grow to acknowledge the teachings, ideas and activities of Tzu Chi and progress with Tzu Chi, with their motives diminishing with time.

我记得有一位师姑告诉过我，很多人刚加入慈济时，或多或少，都有他们自己的私心。重点是，希望他们接触了慈济的教诲、理念和活动后，会认同慈济的菩萨道，慧命日日增，私心时时减。

This is what I am going to do.

我就是打算这么做。

新进志工培训 New Volunteers Training

一天，在广惠肇关怀时，鸣凤师姑找我，问我有没有兴趣报名六月的新进志工培训。当我告诉她我还不是慈济会员时，鸣凤师姑就鼓励我早日加入。加入会员后，参加至少三次共修，报名一次新进志工培训，我就能申请灰衣了。既然我快去波士顿进修，拿了灰衣再加入波士顿的慈济，比较容易产生共鸣。

One day, while performing institutional care at KWSH, Ming Feng SG looked for me and asked whether I am interested in registering for the coming New Volunteers Training on 16 Jun. After realizing that I am not yet a member of Tzu Chi, she encouraged me to join quickly. Become a member, attend at least 3 sharing sessions, registered for the New Volunteers Training, then I am eligible to apply for the grey uniform. Since I am going over to Boston soon, it will be easier for Tzu Chi at Boston to recognize me if I go over with the grey uniform.

既然如此，隔天在香积组帮忙时，我就向曾师兄提起这件事。曾师兄当场就替我办理了加入慈济的手续。我的母鸡是一位前慈青，现在已是灰衣了。曾师兄也替我报名了六月的新进志工培训。

Hence, the next day, I talked to Zeng SX in the kitchen and he did the membership procedure for me, under an ex-Tzu Ching who is now a grey uniform. He also register me for the New Volunteers Training.

到了六月十六日下午，我便到会所参加新进志工培训，负责培训的师兄还特别交待，我们必须自备水壶。所有的新进志工被分成小组，每组一位师伯。我的小组里有一位厦门来的女士，一位在儿子的鼓励下加入慈济的老奶奶和其他师兄们。

So, on 16 Jun 07, I attend the New Volunteers Training in Tzu Chi building. We were told explicitly to bring our own waterbottle. Held in the afternoon, we were separate into different groups, each under a leader. Among my group, there is a lady from Xiamen, an elderly lady who joined Tzu Chi under the encouragement of her son and a few others.

培训有点枯燥，不过知识极丰富。师伯解释慈济标志为何有法船和一朵八片花瓣的花、如何三问询以及观看上人开示。之后，傅师姑和另一位师兄解释如何节省能源与水源和如何环保以及做垃圾分类。

The training session was fairly dry but informative. We were taught the meaning behind Tzu Chi's logo, the correct way to pay our respect to Buddha and of course, watch a video of Master's teaching. Then before the break, Fu SG and another SX explained to us briefly how to save energy and water in our household as well as how to sort out rubbish for recycling.

接下来，小休，大家用自己的环保杯或水壶喝水以及吃些包点。我就顺便到厨房找曾师兄。当天刚好香积组包粽子，用于募款和发放给贫苦大众过端午节。

After that, a break for tea. That is where everybody went looking for their waterbottle. I went to the kitchen and pay Zeng SX a visit since they are all helping out in the kitchen this Sunday: making dumpling for sale and distribution to the needy during the coming Dragon Boat Festival.

小休后，看上人开示。再来，是新进志工到台前与大家分享在慈济的点点滴滴。至此，新进志工培训结束。离开时，大家有一份小礼物：一幅心经和一张静思小语。我的静思语是“人生若能减低欲望，生活上便没有什么事值得计较！”。

After the break, another video of Master's teacher. Next, various new volunteers are asked to share their experience of Tzu Chi with everybody. The whole training session ended after and we left with a small gift: a copy of the heart sutra and a Jing Si Aphorism. Mine says "If we can reduce our desires, there is nothing really worth getting upset about.".

Vesak Day 浴佛节

(Picture taken from Singapore Tzu Chi World Journal 2007 June issue
图片取自《新加坡慈济世界》二零零七年六月)

Singapore celebrates Vesak Day according to the lunar calendar, on 15th of the 4th month. However, Tzu Chi combines Vesak Day, Mother's Day and Global Tzu Chi Day on the 2nd Sunday on May. At the start of May, Tzu Chi started a photo exhibition of Tzu Chi past and history and our activities in Spore / South East Asia. This is followed by the chanting of Lotus Sutra on one Saturday night. The climax of course is 13 May 07, where we celebrate all the 3 important days.

在新加坡，我们在农历四月十五欢庆卫塞节。不过，慈济在阳历五月的第二个礼拜天，同时欢庆浴佛节、母亲节和全球慈济日。从五月一日起，慈济便在会所展示为期二十天的“慈济四十一周年静态展”，介绍慈济的起源，以及在新加坡以至整个东南亚的活动。在五月的一个礼拜六傍晚，大家到会所颂《妙法莲花经》。当然，重头戏是五月十三日的“全球慈济日暨浴佛典礼”，让大家感念佛恩、父母恩、众生恩。

The morning started with all Tzu Chi people bringing back the bamboo banks they received. All the bamboo banks are arranged on stage. Due to the expected large turnout, the Buddha Bathing Ceremony was divided into 2 sessions, the first for all Tzu Chi members and the second for all visitors. That time, I was still not a member; hence I attended the 2nd session.

一大早，慈济人便把募出的竹筒都带回娘家，排列于台前。因为估计出席率会很高，浴佛典礼分两班，慈济人去第一班，大德到第二班。那时，我还未加入慈济，因此参加第二班。

(Picture taken from Singapore Tzu Chi World Journal 2007 June issue
图片取自《新加坡慈济世界》二零零七年六月)

The turnout was indeed huge. Chairs go all the way from the start to the end of the hall and then proceed up to the mezzanine level. While waiting, I watch Master's teachings that are continuously aired on the various TV around the hall. When the ceremony started, everybody in group of eight: "walked up stage, formed a circle and bowed 90 degrees, hands outward", towards the feet of a status of Buddha. This is called "receiving at the Buddha's Feet". While walking down from the stage, I received my first bamboo bank from, coincidently Guo Xiang SG.

估计很准，出席率的确很高，椅子从礼堂前排到礼堂后，再往上至夹楼。在等待典礼开始的近半小时，我就观看散于礼堂各处的电视，绵绵不绝的播着上人的《人间菩提》。典礼开始后，大家分批，每组八人,走上礼台、围成一圈、弯腰九十度、双手往佛陀脚下伸出。这叫“礼佛足、接花香” 。走下礼台时，很巧地，我从国香师姑手中接下了我的第一个竹筒。

After the end of the whole ceremony, a SG give us a toured of the photo exhibitions of Tzu Chi. I learned more about the various activities Tzu Chi did in Singapore and South East Asia, especially in Indonesia during the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake / Tsunami. The day ended with a vegetarian lunch.

整个典礼后，一位师姑带着一群大德们，走于静态展中的照片、海报，向我们解释慈济在新加坡以及东南亚各地的活动，特别是二零零四年南亚大地震、海啸时。当天的活动就在午膳后结束。

(Picture taken from Singapore Tzu Chi World Journal 2007 June issue, the guy in sky blue T-shirt in the middle is me
图片取自《新加坡慈济世界》二零零七年六月，图中间穿蔚蓝恤杉的男生就是我)

到香积组帮忙 Helping in the Kitchen

有一天，在广惠肇关怀后，我与Peter师兄一起搭地铁回家。闲聊中，我得知他每个礼拜三都到香积组帮忙。出于好奇，我答应他明天也去帮忙。至此之后，直到我飞往波士顿，我差不多每个礼拜三都到香积组帮忙。

I was chatting with Peter SX one day during the MRT train back home after a morning at KWSH. He mentioned that he helped out at Tzu Chi kitchen every Wednesday. Out of curiosity, I told him that I will join him the next day. After the first experience, I helped out in the kitchen almost every Wednesday till I fly off to Boston.

大多数时，我会在九点到达会所。但是礼拜三香积组负责人，曾师兄老早就到了，确定蔬菜都买齐了，并早点开始熬汤。我与一两位师姑会先把蔬菜切好、把菜叶和菜茎分开、再分两次水浸泡以去除泥沙、最后捞起让水滴干。同一时候，Peter与曾师兄会把晚一点需要的红萝卜、姜或土豆洗好、切丝或切块。

Normally, I arrive at 9 am, but the person-in-charge for Wednesday, Zeng SX arrive much earlier, to ensure that all the vegetables are bought and to start cooking the soup early. I, together with 1 or 2 SG, first helped to slice and wash the vegetable. Peter and Zeng SX will slice up the necessary carrot, ginger and/or potato. For the vegetable, we need to separate them into leaves and stems, soak them in 2 rounds of water to remove the dirt and finally scope them up to dry.

我们的主厨，金樱师姑，会在十点多时到。她看过当天的材料后会决定煮什么菜。再把所需的香料和浆料准备好后，金樱师姑就开始下厨。

At 10 plus, Jin Yin SG will arrive, she is our big chef. She will look at that day ingredient and decide what to combination of food to cook. After further preparation of the necessary vegetables, spices and sauces, she will start cooking.

尽十一点时，我会开始煮饭。十一点半左右，饭菜煮的差不多了，大家就都坐下，小休一会儿，聊聊天。至到十二点，金樱师姑就把酱汁弄热，淋在煮好的菜上。同一时间，大家把煮熟的饭从饭锅取出，装入大容器中。最后，我们把饭、菜、汤和水果都摆放在食堂的一张桌子，准备好让大伙用膳。

Close to 11, I will start to cook rice. At around 11.30 am, most of the food will be ready or almost ready. We will all sit down, rest and chat till 12 noon where Jin Yin SG will reheat the sauces to pour over the vegetables, while we transfer the cooked rice from the cooker to a container and set up the table for lunch.

午膳十二点半开始，再一点半左右结束。当大家都用过膳食后，我们就把桌子稍微抹一下，再把锅都洗干净（因为大家都带自己的环保碗筷，并自我清洗，所以没什么碗需要洗）。剩余的饭菜，我们就各自拿点回家。整个厨房洗洁完毕，息好灯，大家就在两点多时离开。

Lunch start at 12.30 pm and end at around 1.30 pm, when everybody finished lunch. Then we will clear the table and wash all the containers (no much bowls to wash since everybody bring and wash their own bowls). Any leftovers will be distributed among us and we end the day at around 2 pm.

在香积组的时候，我学到了不少厨房中的小窍门。比方说，如何拿菜刀：把手指弯曲、手指头要向着手掌心、让第二个指节骨最靠近菜刀。这样切菜，就不容易切到手指。菜叶和菜茎分开后，菜茎因为较硬，必须先下沸水煮，菜叶稍后。洗菜去泥的最佳方法，不是在水龙头下冲，而是在装满水的水盆里浸。把水盆装好水后再把蔬菜浸下；而不是把蔬菜放在水盆里，再加水：水的冲力会把菜叶弄伤。菜煮熟后，要浸在冷水数秒，菜叶才不会发黄。

I learnt quite a bit in the kitchen, especially on how to hold a knife: the tip of the fingers must be pointing towards the palm, letting the 2nd joint be closest to the knife. This way will greatly reduce the chance of cutting myself with the knife. Vegetables must be separate into their leaves and stem as stem is harder and thus cooked longer. The best way to remove dirt is to soak vegetable in water instead of washing them under running water. Fill the basin with water before putting in the vegetables and not the other way round; running water hitting the leaves of vegetables will damage them. To prevent cooked vegetables from turning yellow, soak them in cold water for several seconds after they are cooked.

在香积组里，我也学到如何惜福。塑料包装袋全都拿去环保、浸过菜的水留来洗地和饭锅里的每一粒米饭，一定要取出。

I also learned about recycling in the kitchen, all plastic wrappers are recycled. Water used to soak vegetables is all retained for washing the floor. Cooked rice in the rice cooker must all be removed, every single grain.

在厨房里，也有不少趣事。有一回，Peter师兄叫我晒米，听得我一头雾水。原来，大德们捐的白米很多，存在储藏室太久，引来很多米虫。要除虫，但不能杀生，最好的方法是把米拿去太阳底下晒， 让米虫自己逃离去避暑。我就晒过一回米，把大型容器都拿出来、洒上薄薄的一层米、摆好阵法、不时把米翻翻。大太阳底下，三十多摄氏度，出了我一身汗。忽然感觉我好像少林寺的小和尚在练基本功，还好不用劈柴挑水。

There are interesting things happening as well. Once, Peter SX asked me to bring the uncooked rice grain out for sun-baking. Our rice is donated by people and in huge quantity. After storing those for too long, rice bugs start appearing. To get rid of them but not killing them, we pour the rice grains out in various containers and bake them under the sun. Under the hot sun, all the rice bugs will run away and we collect back the bug-free rice. I was asked to carry out this task once. Arranging these containers of rice, I suddenly have the impression that I looked like a junior monk in Shaolin temple performing the daily chores.

金樱师姑炒菜时更有趣。大家在她背后列队，她要盐给她盐、她要糖给她糖、她要碗给她碗、她要碟给她碟。大家穿着围裙，一排列开，在金樱师姑后面看着她炒菜。感觉很像《大长今》里的小尚宫，特别是金樱师姑的名字跟“崔今英”的同音！

Even more interesting was when Jin Yin SG starts cooking in the kitchen. All of us will be behind her, passing whatever she wants, be it salt or sugar or bowl or plate. All of us are wearing aprons and standing in a line behind her, watching her cook. It feels just like Da Chang Jin, especially when her name sounded actually like that used in the show!

环保 Recycling

没加入慈济前，我从没踏进过环保站。最初对环保的印象是小学时，校长介绍学校的三个由英国石油捐赠的环保垃圾桶。身平第一次做垃圾分类是2005年，当时在日本东京实习。东京规定，垃圾必须分成八大类。宿舍内有专门的房间让大家存放分类后的垃圾。住屋区也有环保站，就在地铁边。到指定的回收日，就会见到居民把垃圾带到环保站。

Before joining Tzu Chi, I have never helped out in recycling before. My first impression of recycling was in primary school when the principal introduced 3 recycling bins sponsored by BP. The first time I sorted out rubbish daily was when I did my internship in Tokyo in 2005. Tokyo required all rubbish to be sorted out in 8 main categories. There was a room in my dorm specially catered for recycling and resident in my residential estate will bring all the sorted stuff to the main recycling point, situated along the railway track.

我在2007年三月间在慈济环保站开始做环保。那时，环保站还设在乌美工业区。负责人毕师伯很高兴得欢迎我加入。当天是周日上午，因为慈济人大多在拜五半晚或周末前来环保，所以环保站没什么人。除了毕师伯外，就只有傅师姑和两位外籍客工。

I walked into Tzu Chi recycling center in Singapore in March 2007. That time, the recycling center was still situated in Ubi industrial park. The person-in-charge, Bi SB warmly welcome me. That was a weekday morning, the recycling center was quiet. Most of Tzu Chi people helped out during friday evening or weekends. Other than Bi SB, Fu SG was there as well, with 2 foreigners.

那天，我就帮毕师伯和两位外籍客工把塑胶袋分类，分成透明的、纯白的、白底但有彩色图案和彩色的。分类好的塑胶袋都装入超大型的塑胶袋，打好结后放一旁。这分类可真是件苦差，满身臭汗，眼镜和手表都弄脏了。有了这经验后，我之后都穿旧衣到环保站，手表也不戴了。

The first time there, I helped out with Bi SB and the 2 foreigners in sorting out plastic bags into transparent, pure white, white with colour patterns and coloured. We will put them into big plastic bags and bundled them up. It was tiring and backbreaking work. I sweat a lot, dirtied my glasses and watch. I learned from my first experience, wear old clothes and leave my watch at home.

毕师伯很友善。潮州人，但会说广东话，福建话和潮州话。潮州话虽然是毕师伯的母语，但他的广东话却足以令正宗广东人汗颜。有时，他会在环保站里播放些潮州歌曲，也就他和我明白那歌在唱什么。

Bi SB is very nice, a Teochew who speak Cantonese, Teochew as well as Hokkien. His Cantonese is perfect for somebody who speak Teochew most of the time. Sometime, he will play Teochew songs in the recycling centers and only he and I understand them.

后来我方知道那两位外籍客工是傅师姑的员工，因为放假而随她前来做环保。再后来，在培训时，师伯告诉大家，傅师姑是因为发现香积组里没人懂得垃圾分类而把能 环保的垃圾都丢掉，所以毅然走进环保站里学环保。学好各种垃圾分类后，傅师姑再回香积组与大家分享所学，并在厨房后巷设了个小型的环保站。（那时，环保站 在乌美，会所在巴西立）

I later found out that these 2 foreigners were Fu SG's workers who happened to be on leave that day. Later I found out during Tzu Chi training that Fu SG first helped out in the recycling center when she realized that our kitchen was throwing away all the recyclable rubbish and nobody in the kitchen knew how to sort them out. Hence, she went to our recycling center, learned all out the various categories to be sorted, went back and taught all the Tzu Chi people helping out in the kitchen as well as started a mini recycling center beside the kitchen. (At that time, our recycling center was in Ubi while Tzu Chi was in Pasir Ris).

当了几次环保志工，慢慢地学到了分类的窍门：塑料袋内的硬纸皮必须分开，如果塑料袋的把柄是硬塑料或尼龙绳，也必须分开；纸类分成黑白纸（价钱高点）、彩色和硬纸皮。矿泉水瓶也分三类：透明、彩色和硬性类；瓶盖格外分类。其他塑料罐依透明度、硬度与大小分类。金属罐则分大小，并区分钢铁和铝。

After several times, I slowly learned to sort out other stuffs: the paper-backing in plastic bags must be removed, the hard plastic or string handles of plastic bags must be separately sorted; paper must be sorted into pure black and white (they fetched a higher price), colored and cardboard. Mineral bottles are sorted into transparent, coloured and hard-plastics; their bottle caps are separately sorted. Other plastic bottles are sorted according to transparency, hardness and size. Metal containers are sorted according to size and differentiate between iron/steel and aluminum.

当然还有各式各样的玩具、摆设品以及电器如VCR或DVD播放机，虽旧但还能用，都是人乐捐的。它们，通通放在二楼。有时，工业区的上班族会过来，以特价请购。

Then there are various toys, display items, electrical appliances like VCR, DVD players that are old but still usable, which are donated by people. They will be housed upstairs and sometimes, people from the industrial park will come over and buy them at a discount price.

后来，因该是在五月，环保站搬回位于巴西立的慈济会所，就在会所后面的空地。因为有直达巴士，方便多了。何况，会所香积组每天提供素食午饭。最重要的是，新的环保站风扇多，对于容易出汗的我，是莫大的福音。

Later in May (I guess), the recycling center moved into the open space behind Tzu Chi building, back in Pasir Ris. It becomes more convenient for me since there is now direct bus. Furthermore, lunch is provided by Tzu Chi. Recycling back in Tzu Chi building is much more comfortable since there are fans around to remove excess heat and sweat.

做环保志工的一大收获是能有机会拆事物，拆过轮椅、电话、风扇、电脑、玩具和另外许许多多。四年的机械工程本科训练，我还没有拿过螺丝刀。一边拆，我就一边想起材料学课上教过的概念，温故知新。其实是挺好玩的，如能一视电话内部的结构。

I always have plenty of chance to try my hands at disassembling stuffs. I tried wheelchairs, telephones, fan, PC, toys and many more. 4 years mechanical undergraduate training and I have never held a screwdriver before. It is actually quite fun, to see what the inside of a telephone really looks like.

真正在环保站学到的是国人是如何的浪费。看看我们分类的衣物，好多都非常新。现在外出购物，我都尽量不用塑胶袋，特别是那些需要很多人工分类的塑胶袋。没来波士顿前，我也在家做起垃圾分类，并把分类后的垃圾带到慈济环保站。

What I truly learned in recycling center is how wasteful Singaporeans are, looking at all the clothes that we sorted, many are still in very good condition. Now when I go shopping, I try not to use plastic bags, especially those that need intensive labour to sort out. Before leaving for Boston, I also started to sort out rubbish at home and bring them to Tzu Chi.

垃圾分类与再循环，我相信这是我一辈子的志愿。

Sorting out rubbish and recycling, I believe that this is what I will continue to do for the rest of my life.

Institutional Care - Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital 机构关怀 - 广惠肇留医院

I first carried out community services in Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital (KWSH) during 1997, when I was in JC (high school). Hence, when I notice that Tzu Chi has similar activities, I decide to continue what I last did ten years ago. KWSH is a hospital for the elderly who is not terminally ill but rather poor in health as well as homeless elderly. It was first started by the Cantonese clan and hence most of the elderly hospitalized speak Cantonese. Luckily for me, I am an expert (for my age) in Cantonese.

我第一次做义工的地方就是广惠肇留医院。那年，我上高中，1997年。当我得知慈济也有到广惠肇关怀时，我义不容辞的决定继续我十年前与广惠肇结下的缘。广惠肇收留长期患病与无依无靠的老人。因广惠肇是广帮所建，因此住院老人大多数是广府人士。好在，以我年龄而言，我算是广东话能手。

Through Mo SX, I got to know the person-in-charge Guo Xiang SG. Tzu Chi carried out institutional care at KWSH every Tue, from 0930 to 1230 hrs, even on public holidays. Guo Xiang SG believes that coming on public holidays allows Tzu Chi people who normally need to work a chance to give their time and concern to the elderly.

通过莫师兄，我认识了广惠肇关怀负责人，国香师姑。慈济每个拜二，从早上9点半至下午12点半到广惠肇关怀老人，公共假日也如此。国香师姑认为，公共假日给需要上班的慈济人机会到广惠肇关怀。

When I first met Guo Xiang SG at KWSH during the first Tue, I was quite surprised. She looked a lot like my Sec school maths teacher: my teacher's dress is always Tzu Chi Qipao style, 4 strips in front, 4 strips behind. Guo Xiang SG has the same build and size but has a sweeter smile.

当我第一个拜二到广惠肇时，我很惊讶的发现国香师姑与我初中数学老师有几分相像。我数学老师的穿着服饰永远都是慈济的八正道旗袍型：四块长布与前，四块长布与后。国香师姑和我数学老师的身高，体形都十分相似。不过，国香师姑的笑容比较甜。

At 0930 hrs, we practice in the hall the sign languages dances we will be performing later: several Tzu Chi songs and oldies in cantonese and hokkien (taiwanese). These are very fun practices, we formed a big circle and follow A1 SG's lead. She will shout out the steps, but always mixed up between "left" and "right". The last song is always "care and concern on earth". Sometimes, some elderly will join us, using the dances as a form of exercise.

早上9点半，我们先在礼堂集合，彩排下午要表演的手语团康：慈济歌曲如《感谢天感谢地》、老歌如《绿岛小夜曲》、广东歌如《上海滩》、福建歌如《爱拼才会赢》。最后一首歌曲一定是《温暖满人间》。彩排十分有趣，大家围成一圈，跟着A1师姑练。A1师姑会大声喊出步骤，但是她经常左右不分。有时，老菩萨们会把团康当做晨运，一起和我们练习。

All the Tzu Chi SG are very kind and I learn how to do sign languages during these practices, although my progress is very slow.

师姑们都很友善。我就在彩排中，慢慢地把手语给学上来。

At 1000 hrs, after the dances, Jia Zhen SG will brief us on upcoming events and Xie Ma Ma will share with everybody a Jing Shi aphorism. Then, we will assemble in rows of two, guys before ladies, and walk from the hall to the wards. Everybody will split into their respectively 6 groups for ward 6 (upper), 6 (lower), 7 (upper), 7 (lower), 8 (upper) and 8 (lower). If attendances at some groups are low, Guo Xiang SG will do some re-arrangement to ensure that there are enough people in every wards.

10点整，彩排后，家珍师姑会向大家报告慈济这个月的活动，谢妈妈也会与大家分享静思语。再来，大家列队，两排，男前女后，从礼堂步行至病房。进入病房前，大家划分入各自的小组：六上病房、六下病房、七上病房、七下病房、八上病房和八下病房。如果任何小组人数不够，国香师姑会从新划分一下。

I remember among us, there is a Tzu Chi lady who always lag behind while we walked towards the wards because she cant bend her legs. But she is always smiling even when she is the last and only one lagging behind the team. Then there is an Indian Tzu Chi lady among us, a rare sight given that we mostly speak Chinese. Sometimes, during school holidays, SGs will bring their children along. Occasionally, Tzu Ching will join us.

记得队中，有一位师姑因为行动不便，常常掉队。但她的脸上一定挂着笑容。还有一位印度师姑，虽然不识中文，但绝不以此为障碍。学校假期时，师姑也会把孩子们带来广惠肇。有时，慈青们也会前来帮忙。

Guo Xiang SG is very strict, she wants us to maintain Tzu Chi image. Hence she is always reminding us to lower our volume and walks in twos. But, like most Singaporeans, this isnt always very successful. Everybody needs to put in more effort.

国香师姑其实要求很严，她希望我们维持慈济的形象，经常提醒我们放低声量，列队步行。不过，我们就像大多数新加坡人一样，屡劝难改。大家还需要多加努力。

Into the respectively ward, everybody set out to spread happiness: chatting with the elderly, giving them massage, cutting their hairs, bring them out for a walk or singing with them. I remember a grandmother who will always put up a big smile and say "Happy hour" repeatedly when she saw us walking in.

进入各自的病房，大家就开始传播欢乐：和老菩萨们聊天、替他们按摩、扶他们出病房走走或唱歌给他们听。有一位老奶奶，每次见到我们走进来，一定笑起来，重复地说着“Happy hour （快乐时光）”。

I am in ward 7 (lower), the only ward with male patients. All the Tzu Chi guys (male) helped out in this ward, under Cai Ming SG guidance. I remember that when I first started, I found that I have nothing in common to talk to the elderly. Cant talk about family since they are mostly left alone here by their family and I dont want to stir up their sad stories. They dont know much about current affairs neither since they are mostly bed bounded with no TV (some have radio). The only thing I chat with them is the weather but that is a short topic. I keep looking at my watch and wonder why that 1 short hour passes so slowly. Finally, after a few weeks, I figured out what to chat with them: China. Most of the elderly are born in China, they tell me China during their time and I tell them China now, about Hong Kong, about Canton. This conversation is fairly long.

我的服务病房是七下，唯一的男众病房。慈济师伯师兄们，在彩明师姑的带领下，全都在七下男众病房关怀。记得刚开始服务时，对着老菩萨们，真是语塞。感觉我和老菩萨们好像是两个不同世界的人，一时间，不知道要说什么好。不能提家人，怕勾起他们的伤心事。因为老菩萨们大多都是被家人寄养在广惠肇里，虽然是无奈地接受了，难免会有少许惆怅。无法与老菩萨们聊时事话题，因为他们住在广惠肇里，差不多是与世隔绝了，没电视，只有一两位有收音机。因此，就与他们聊天气，聊着聊着，很快又没话题了。故此，我经常望着手表，感叹为何短短一个小时，是如此般的难过。还好，几个礼拜后，我找到了聊天的话题：中国。老菩萨们大多在中国出世，他们向我讲述他们那个年代的广东、中国，我告诉他们现在的广东，香港。这话题能讲很久。

Cai Ming SG is an expert with everybody in the ward. She has been around for many years and know every patient name, habit and illness. She taught me a lot, like make it a point to remember every patients' name to show that you respect them, keep a shoulder length distance between patient and myself as some patient may not like close contact.

彩明师姑是七下病房的专家，在七下病房服务多年，熟悉每位老菩萨的姓名、喜好与病症。彩明师姑教会了我很多：每一位老菩萨的名字一定要记住，以示尊敬。与老菩萨们相处时，最好保持相等于手臂的距离，因不是每位老菩萨都喜欢近距离的接触。

Three important things to take note. 1, dont touch their things or sit on their bed. To us, a bed is just a bed, but to them, that is everything they have, their most significant worldly procession. Their bed is their house and we dont walk into somebody home unless we are invited.

三件事一定要勤记：第一，不能动老菩萨们的事物与坐在他们的床上。对我们而言，床再普通不过。但是，对老菩萨们来讲，床是他们最重要的资产，周边的事物是他们的唯一所有。床就等于是他们的房屋，而没有主人的允许，我们是不该擅闯别人的家。

At around 1100 hrs, lunch will be served. We will help the nurses feed them or encourage them to have more food since normally elderly have little or no appetite. Some elderly need scolding before they start to eat more. After meal, we clear away the food and help to clean their face.

十一点左右，老菩萨们用午膳。我们帮护士们喂食或鼓励老菩萨们多吃几口。老菩萨们大多没什么胃口，有些甚至要把他们当小孩般骂，方进食。用过午膳，我们把床头收拾干净，再替老菩萨们抹脸。

2, we should be encouraging them to be self-supporting, both mentally and physically. So, if they are capable of eating on their own, we let them do it, even if the process is slow. We dont volunteer to feed them. We will still massage them but encourage them to do some form of stretching exercises everyday.

第二，要鼓励老菩萨们自立。如果他们有能力自己进食，就算慢点，我们也不该喂食。我们替老菩萨们按摩，但要劝他们每天自己做些简单的运动，舒张筋骨。

3, dont get too involved, we are there to help but we must learn to first protect ourselves. Let the elderly recognize Tzu Chi logo rather than Tzu Chi individual. We have our own life and family, if we are too involved with a particular elderly and one fine day, due to work or family commitment, we are no longer able to visit KWSH, what will happen to the elderly when you have become their "one and only kin"? There is one grandma who will always ask for a particular Tzu Chi SG, who havent been appearing for quite a while. It is so sad to see her desperate face.

第三，不要太投入，我们是来关怀，但要先学会保护自己。让老菩萨们认慈济而不是认个人。我们都有自己的家人和生活，如果对一位老菩萨太过投入，会让老菩萨把你当成他生命的重心。如果日后因家庭或事业需要兼顾而不能来广惠肇时，老菩萨没了重心，那如何是好。我就见过一位老奶奶，见到慈济人就问一位师姑的下落。可是，那位师姑已很久没来广惠肇了。看着老奶奶一副失望的脸，好不叫人心酸。

At 1130 hrs, we will have our sign language dance, starting from ward 6, then 8 and finally 7. Every group will perform their own dance at their respectively ward. But Tzu Chi guys will follow throughout every dance as the grandmothers like to see young guys. We remind them of their grandchildren I guess.

十一点半，我们开始手语团康，先到六号病房，再到八号病房，以七号病房为终点。A1师姑会自己或让老菩萨选歌。各自慈济人在各自服务的病房里表演，只有师伯师兄们六间病房都参与演出。我猜想，我们让老菩萨们想起各自的孙子吧。

Initially as I dont know the steps very well, I didnt have eye contact with the elderly. I was looking at the leader, A1 SG more frequently. Later when I got the steps by heart and start having eye contacts, I realize that the elderly are really very happy to see us dance. They will sing with us, clap along or try to perform the sign languages as well. I can really see the joy on their face. It is so wonderful.

刚开始时，我对团康的手语不熟，看着A1师姑多过面对老菩萨们，因此没什么互动。日子久了，团康多了，手语熟了，互动频繁了，我发现老菩萨们真的很高兴见到我们表演手语团康。他们会清唱着歌词、拍着手，有些甚至会尝试比起手语来。看见老菩萨们脸上的笑容，无限欢喜。

Dances will end at around 1230 hrs, we will assemble again outside the wards. Guo Xiang SG will thank everybody for their contribution and ask newcomers to introduce themselves and share with everybody what they feel. Next, anybody is free to speak and share their experience.

团康十二点半结束，大家在病房外集合。国香师姑会双手合十，感谢大家的付出。过后，国香师姑请新来的志工自我介绍、心得分享。此后，任何人都能上前说话，分享经验。

That marks the end of session. Cai Ming SG also mentioned that we dont say "See you next time" but "good bye". This is because the elderly take our words seriously, we dont want to disappoint them as we truly dont know whether we can make it again next week.

至此，关怀结束。彩明师姑也说，临走前，向老菩萨们道别，说“再见”，别说“下个礼拜见”。因为有些老菩萨们会认真的等待一个礼拜后见到你。如果到时，你没空来的话，他们会很失望。

I learned a lot during my 5-months period with KWSH. KWSH didnt change much, other than a new coat of paint at the exterior, it was exactly the same when I first stepped in 10 years ago. Singapore has changed beyond recognition but these elderly seem to be forgotten by time. The nurses are mostly from China and Myanmar and they sometimes verbally abuse the elderly. I really dont know who is right or wrong: there are some elderly who are really very unreasonable and the nurses are all alone in a foreign country, suffering from homesick, underpaid and overworked.

这五个多月的时间在广惠肇关怀老菩萨们，我获益匪浅。广惠肇跟十年前一样，除了外墙上了新漆以外，一点都没变。新加坡已是沧海桑田，广惠肇的老菩萨们却几乎被世人遗忘。护士们多数从中国或缅甸前来打工，他们有时会对老菩萨们大呼小叫。可是谁是谁非，我真的很难断定。有些老菩萨的确是有点蛮不讲理，护士们背井离乡，只身在外，难免会因思乡、低薪或加时而脾气暴躁。

We address the elderly as elder Bodhisattva. We are constantly reminded that they are lying on bed suffering in order to give us a chance to perform good deeds (in the form of bringing joy to them). We are on the receiving end while they are on the giving. Through this, I learn to be humble and grateful.

我们称老人家为老菩萨，时时刻刻提醒自己，他们是苦难菩萨，身心受苦，以让我们行善、积福。他们是手心向下布施，我们是手心向上接受。通过老菩萨们，我深深的体会到“见苦、知福、惜福、造福”的真谛。

I remembered my experience with one male elderly. He is the oldest in the whole ward, ninety plus. Initially, he ignored all my response to strike a conversation. But he allowed me to feed him. This happened for several weeks. Then one day, when I was about to leave, I say goodbye to him. He opens his eyes and says “Thank you”. I was so touched. Slowly he warmed up to me and will start complaining to me about his family and tell me about his hometown back in China.

我对一位老爷爷印象深刻，他是男众病房中，年纪最大的，九十多岁。刚开始时，我很想与他聊天，但他对我却不理不睬。好在，他还让我替他喂食。就这样，过了几个礼拜，那天，我要回家时，向他道别，他睁开双眼，对我说了声“谢谢”。那时，真的很感动。慢慢地，他对我有了好感，开始向我投诉他的家人，跟我说起他在中国的家乡。

But there are also the good friends I made: Guo Xiang SG, Cai Ming SG and her son whom I only meet in cyberspace, A1 SG and her sons, Jia Zhen SG from Taiwan, Xia Ma Ma from Taiwan, Ming feng SG, Peter SX, Tze Peng SX, Yi Sheng SB and many others.

最后，我也在广惠肇关怀中结交了好多朋友：国香师姑、彩明师姑和她的儿子（我们在网络上交往）、A1师姑和她的儿子们、从台湾来的家珍师姑与谢妈妈、鸣凤师姑，Peter师兄、志平师兄、毅盛师伯和其他慈济人。

Gan En

感恩

Tzu Chi Sharing Session 慈济共修

(picture taken from Tzu Chi Singapore website
图片取自慈济新加坡分会网页)

Sharing Session in Tzu Chi is an eye-opener. I never see chairs with such short legs and they all wear socks!

参加慈济共修令我大开眼界。我没见过塑胶椅子有那麽短的脚，而且椅脚都穿袜子！

Tzu Chi Singapore has sharing sessions several times a month, once on wed afternoon for those who dont need to work, once on sat afternoon which is in English and once on sat evening for everybody. Wed session is smaller in scale and held in the multiple-purpose room, sat evening session drew more crowds and is held in the hall. I never attend the English session before.

慈济新加坡分会每月有几场共修会，礼拜三下午大多是无需上班者，礼拜六下午是英语共修会，礼拜六旁晚则老少皆宜。

I guess the standard operating procedures (SOP) are similar in Tzu Chi everywhere: we first pay our respect to Buddha, then we sing the Buddhist sutra (20 difficulties in life on wed and 37 virtues on sat; lotus sutra during Tzu Chi anniversary), followed by a video of Master's teaching and several sharing experiences by fellow Tzu Chi people. The whole session ended with an update of upcoming events and well-wishes among us.

我相信共修的流程在各慈济都大同小异：先以虔诚的心礼佛、再诵经（礼拜三诵《佛说人有二十难》，礼拜六诵《三十七助道品》；慈济纪念日诵《法华经》）、接着是上人开示和慈济人心得分享，报告近期活动。最后，共修在互相的祝福中结束。

I remembered some of the sharing sessions, Tzu Chi people share with us how and why they joined Tzu Chi, mostly touching stories. But we dont have those very dramatic experiences from masters' videos. I guess people in Singapore are more fortunate than many others. Sometimes, they will share their experience in Tzu Chi events and activities so that we can improve ourselves next time.

我还记得在共修上，慈济人跟大家分享自己如何与为何加入慈济，大多都是感人肺腑的故事。但是，新加坡没“上人开示”中的人生遭逢巨变，想必新加坡人还是很幸福的。有时候，慈济人也会分享参与慈济活动的经验，好让我们今后做的更好。
These 2 paragraphs I like them best, because they are useful attitudes (study broad and deep as well as not to look down on youngsters) to have in research.

我喜欢《佛说人有二十难》中的这两句，认为“广学博究”和“不轻未学”对学业很有帮助。

佛说人有二十难，广学博究十一难；
专心学习本已难，深入探究难上难；
博究学问如登山，有心还要恒心伴；
慧海无涯学是岸，广学博究亦不难。

佛说人有二十难，不轻未学十三难；
待人谦和如种田，插秧后退是向前；
圣人犹能畏后生，丈夫岂可轻少年；
三人行里我师焉，不轻未学并不难。

I remembered my first sharing session. That day, the person-in-charge, Ji Yu SB discusses with us why Tzu Chi emphasis charitable activities like recycling and care for the elderly. He said that it is not very useful if you have good thoughts but never put them into good actions. It is also insufficient if you did good deeds without cultivating a good way of life. What Tzu Chi does is to combine both of them: we want to do good deeds to help cultivate a good attitude of life which in return encourages us to continue to do more good for the society, forming a pure virtuous cycle.

记得参加的第一次共修，当天慈济新加坡分会负责人济雨师伯和大家分享慈济对“做”和“修”的理念。“做”与“修”同样重要，缺一不可，要边做边修；边学边做，边学边修。

What Ji Yu SB says truly enlightened me. He answered the 2nd doubt that I have with Buddhism (can we really achieve enlightenment with just doing good deeds?). Suddenly, it seems so simple; of course good deeds and good attitude go hand in hand. I am just clouded by my own thoughts that I did not see this simple answer.

济雨师伯的一言惊醒梦中人，解答了我对佛家的一大疑问“行善积福如何大彻大悟？”想通了其实就是那麽简单，没正念如何行善。不识卢山真面目，只缘身在此山中。

Gan En

感恩

First trip to Tzu Chi Singapore Chapter 慈济新加坡分会初探

Even though I decide to join Tzu Chi (that was in July 2006), I did not take action immediately: I was leaving Boston in 2 months time, so no point joining Tzu Chi Boston chapter; after returning to Singapore, I was busy with the last leg of my master program which I graduated in Dec 2006; at the start of 2007, I was busy looking for job and preparing for Chinese New Year.

虽然决定加入慈济（当时是2006年7月），我还是拖了近半年：没加入慈济波士顿分会因我将在两个月后回国；回国后又忙着把硕士论文写完准备年底毕业；2007年始，毕业后又要找工和忙着过农历年。

Finally, in Feb 2007 after Chinese New Year, I was offered a place in MIT PhD program which I accepted. Hence, I decided not to look for job anymore since I will be returning to Boston in Aug later this year. Now, I got a lot of time at hand, the time to join Tzu Chi is ripe.

好在农历年刚过，我收到了麻省理工学院博士班的入取通知。既然今年8月就将返回波士顿，因此决定不再觅职。6个月空档期，加入慈济的因缘成熟了。

I remember calling Tzu Chi Singapore chapter, the guy who received my call greeted me warmly and welcome me to join in. But I was slightly afraid of appearing out of no where in front of Tzu Chi front door. So I drag my feet for another 2 weeks before taking the bus to Tzu Chi chapter.

打了通电话给慈济新加坡分会，接话的是位师伯，亲切的欢迎我加入。但是，我还是有点患得患失，深怕冒失的出现在慈济会所大门。所以，我又拖了两周，方鼓起勇气，搭车前往慈济会所。

I recall having cold feet at the last minute, almost turned back, but eventually walked into the building. An elderly lady (I later realized that everybody addressed her as xie ma ma) was on duty at the counter and after explaining my purpose of visit, she directed me to a staff in the office (Mo SX from Macau). Mo SX explains that to me that Tzu Chi branch of Buddhism practices the path of Bodhisattva. He further explains the four missions of Tzu Chi: Charity, Medicine, Education and Culture as well as the eight footprints: four missions plus International Relief, Bone Narrow Donation, Community Volunteers and Environmental Protection.

差一点临阵退缩，但终究走进了会所。一位老太太（慈济人都称呼她谢妈妈）在值班。经我说明来意，谢妈妈带我入办公室找莫师兄（从澳门过来的），还泡了壶茶 给我和莫师兄。莫师兄向我解说慈济行的是菩萨道，并一一介绍了慈济的四大志业：慈善，医疗，教育与人文和八大脚印：四大志业加上国际赈灾，骨髓捐赠，社区 志工与环保。

Mo SX encouraged me to take part in various Tzu Chi activities like recycling, visiting the old folks' home. He told me that as long as I am willing to spend my time at Tzu Chi and help, there will be things I can do and contribute. Even if I dont know anything, I can help out in the kitchen by washing the dishes. He further encouraged me to join Tzu Chi Boston chapter when I go over to Boston.

莫师兄鼓励我参加慈济的诸多活动，如环保，安老院关怀等等。只要我有心把时间用在慈济志业上，一定有事情给我付出。就算什麽都不会，进厨房帮忙洗碗也行。最后，莫师兄鼓励我日后到了波士顿，加入那的慈济。

With that in mind, I start my journey with Tzu Chi.

带着莫师兄的话，我开始走上慈济的菩萨道。

慈济“工地文化”为工友带来温情 Tzu Chi construction site culture brought warm touches to construction workers

联合早报2月15日的报道，我对慈济最初的印象。

This is the article give me my very first (but flimsy) impression of Tzu Chi. It appeared on Lian He Zao Bao on 15 Feb 2004. Sorry, no English translation.

慈济“工地文化”为工友带来温情 - 卢丽珊

建筑工地内，构筑的不单是楼房，而是“人间净土”。

孟加拉籍建筑工人坎占来新加坡工作已有6年，但从来没有像现在一样，每天期待着到一个不再是嘈杂、肮脏的工地工作，感受新的“工地文化”所带来的款款温情。

照料工友身心

台湾慈善团体——佛教慈济慈善事业基金会的新加坡分会，在本地推行“工地文化”，在静思堂总会所的建筑工地内为工人提供免费的素食午餐，以及布置温馨的“茶轩”，鼓励他们不吸烟、不喝酒，照料他们的身心健康。

坐落在伊莱雅路的静思堂去年动工，估计需要两年完成。慈济基金会昨天（14日）为“工地文化”举行启用仪式。

一走进工地范围，映入眼帘是粉刷成白色的工地办事处兼文化区，马上给人干净和清新的感觉，连工地的尘嚣也显得无力入侵。

除承包商办公室，文化区还设有冷气茶轩和宽敞的斋堂。斋堂内光线充足，饭桌铺上蓝白色格子桌布，以及提供洗衣机，颇有家居的温馨。走廊的墙壁还挂了很多慈济基金会的宣导海报。

提供免费素食

午餐时间，工地内的十多名建筑工人到斋堂洗手，以及使用为他们准备好的干净抹布，然后排队等候吃一顿每天更新菜式、至少四到五样选择的素食大餐，饭后还备有帮助消化的水果。

负责照料工人福利的是慈济的志愿工作者，他们每天负责在牛车水的总会所烹调素菜，然后把菜饭送到工地去。

新加坡分会执行长刘济雨说：“推行工地文化是净化和教育人心的途径，我们要工人在工地养成不吸烟、不喝酒和不乱丢垃圾的习惯，而且还要吃素，不杀生。”

他说：“工人的反应非常好，素食既好吃，又是免费的，下午还有糖水喝，重要的是让工地没有杀业和清净。”

慈济基金会在台湾已至少在六个建筑工地推行“工地文化”。

联合早报 - 2004年2 月15日

如何进入慈济 How I join Tzu Chi

严格上说，我第一次认识慈济是从联合早报的一份报导。那年，我在日本东京实习；2004年二月十五当天，我从早报网上读到了慈济人在新加坡推广的“工地文化”，为正在兴建慈济新会所的工地工人提供素食，鼓励他们戒烟戒酒。

I actually first knew about Tzu Chi through a Zao Bao online article while I was in Tokyo, Japan during my overseas industrial attachment in 2004. That article was dated 15 Feb 2004, I kept it because it was interesting: it wrote about Tzu Chi members providing vegetarian lunch for the workers building the new Tzu Chi (Singapore chapter) association, encouraging them to quit smoking and drinking.

那时，深深的被慈济的态度感动，就把那份报导给收录起来。因为当时在日本，我并没有再深入了解慈济。报导有把慈济新会所的地址写下，但是中文地址“伊莱雅路”并没有让我想起这条道路其实就离我家四五个巴士车站。就这样，我把这份报导给忘了，至到2007年整理剪报时从新发现了它。虽然那时我刚加入慈济，但还是觉得不可思议，原来我与慈济的因缘由来已久。

That time, I was very amazed by the attitude of Tzu Chi and saved that online article. But as I was in Japan that time, I didnt find out more. The address is printed out in Chinese and I didnt realise that it is just a few bus stops away from my home. It was only in 2007 when I was packing my stuffs that I saw the article again and realized that I actually know Tzu Chi since 2004.

第二次接触慈济是在2005年，南亚大海啸之后。不记得是哪一个星期天 （应该在农历新年之前），我与家人到四马路观音拜神，听到有人不停地大喊“大爱进南亚”。一群蓝天白云，拿着捐款箱与标语，正在为印尼灾民募款。当下，我 就觉得慈济很眼熟，便捐了点钱。这因该是我第一次在街头捐款（除售旗活动以外），也是款项最多的一次（捐了纸币而不是硬币）。可惜，又因为赶时间，再一次 没停下脚步多了解慈济，再一次与慈济擦肩而过。

The next time I came across Tzu Chi was in 2005, after the Indian Ocean earthquake / tsunamis. I was at the famous Guan Yin temple with my family and hear someone shouting "Great Love into South Asia". Their standard blue t-shirts were very striking and reading the signboards, I realized that they are from Tzu Chi, raising money in the street for Indonesia relief. Back in my mind, Tzu Chi seem to ring a bell and I gave some money to one of the volunteers; that was the first time I donated money on the street (other than flag-raising) and the largest amount I guess (bill instead of coin). Again, I was in a hurry and didnt stop and find out more about Tzu Chi from them.

第三次，我人在波士顿。那年2006， 我上 Super 88 超市买菜，随手把超市外的华文报刊都拿了一份，其中就有慈济月刊第471期。这471期慈济月刊在我书橱里放了很久：没空读。这471期慈济月刊也是我在 波士顿拿过唯一的一份，都没空读第一份了，就不浪费纸再拿了。就这样，两个月过去了。我家人从新加坡飞纽约来看望我，独自搭3小时的车下纽约，我想起了那 471期慈济月刊。慢慢车程，慈济月刊不重，文字多，正好可以打发时间。

The third time was when I was in Boston in 2006. I was doing grocery shopping at BU Super 88 and I took a copy of most of the free Chinese newspapers outside Super 88. At the same time, I took a copy of Tzu Chi Journal, the 471st issue. This copy stayed in my cupboard for a very long time, I always got no time for it. It was also the only copy that I took: I didnt have time for the first copy, why waste paper to take more. It was only when my family was coming to Boston to visit me that I remember that I had a Tzu Chi Journal. My family fly in to New York from Singapore, so I had to take a 3-hrs bus ride down to meet them. 3 hours on the bus, that Tzu Chi Journal will be just nice, not too heavy, a lot of words, perfect to spent my time on the bus.

因缘成熟，终于有机会深入的了解慈济，慈济所做的事，慈济提倡的精神和慈济对较不幸的关怀。老实说，打从心里佩服，认同与支持慈济。月刊末页，全球慈济分 会地址都写了下来。把新加坡分会的地址找出来：Elias Road （英文书写）。猛然想起，应该很靠近我家。到了纽约，和我爸印证后，决定加入慈济。

This time, I finally got a chance to have an in-depth understanding of Tzu Chi, the works they do, the ideas they practiced and their care to the less fortunate. Frankly, I was impressed. I agreed with their beliefs and supported their work. At the end of the issue, I saw the distribution of Tzu Chi chapters all over the world and found one in Singapore, Elias Road (finally in English). I remember that this place should be very near my place. I confirmed with my dad when I met him that day. That was when I decide that Tzu Chi is a good organization to join.