華麗的冒險

5/19是最後一次<<六祖壇經>>讀書會，十堂下來收穫如何，倒也自知。最後一堂課的功課是要摘錄名句與同學分享，可惜在公司印出來卻沒有帶走，臨時重找卻成為記憶大考驗。

Be an unrequested helper

Someone once asked me if it’s difficult to be a volunteer. It seems like only students have the luxury of time to be involved in volunteer work. It could be a student club focus on community service, helping out at the local temple or church the family frequently visits, or working as a volunteer at hospital. Once we leave the fantastic college life behind and become working professionals, “volunteer” become an unfamiliar word that sound so distant because we don’t seem to have the time or energy anymore after a week of hard work. One would assume that our life turn towards the career path and focus on work, meetings, and commute. Should we still perform a service willingly without pay?

Most people think that they are too busy to be of service. In spite of our often hectic schedule, I believe we can still be a volunteer. We just need to be an unrequested helper.

What is an unrequested helper? As our Venerable Master Hsing Yun said: “People usually wait for others’ requests or invitation before offering their help, but a truly compassionate and generous person will automatically step forward and offer a helping hand when seeing others in need.” Being an unrequested helper does not necessarily require a lot of time or effort. It could be as simple as holding an elevator door, pouring the tea for someone sits next to you, or give up the seat for elderly. From these small actions, our compassion grows as we help others each day.

Nevertheless, compassion alone sometimes is not enough. Without wisdom, our unrequested help could bring negative results. Accountants should not eagerly offer advice on tax evasion as it harms nation’s economy; teachers should not help students to cheat or skip school because it does not lead them towards the correct path. How do we determine if our unrequested help follows morality?

Is our action wholesome? When we provide unrequested help, does it lead to wholesome results? We should be of service to others, but we do not assist in someone’s wrong doing. Our action should alleviate other’s suffering, not to cause more pain.

Did our speech affect others in a negative way? Did our words bring joy and hope to others? A few sentences can bring smile to someone and brighten up their day, but it can also diminish their courage and indirectly result in their failure. We want to guard our speech carefully to bring positive impact on others.

Did we have a kind and compassionate heart? Or did we provide assistance with questionable intention? Only wholesome intention can lead to good outcome. Since we want to be a volunteer, we should always be of service and practice the three good manners: do good deeds, say kind words, have a compassionate heart.

It is said that a Bodhisattva is a volunteer for sentient beings, while a volunteer is a bodhisattva for the world. Being an unrequested helper is the first step towards Bodhisattva path. I hope everyone in NYYAD can be an outstanding volunteer, starting by helping your fellow members in YAD. The 2010 Children’s Summer Camp is around the corner. There are a lot of preparations need to be completed. With everyone’s unique talent and experience, I am confident we will finish the preparation in time. Yet, sometimes a few things might slip out of crack or fall behind because we might be too busy with our regular work and academic assignments. If each of us can be an unrequested helper and assist our friends, I believe we can make operations more smooth and deliver a memorable summer camp experience.

為接引青年朋友認識佛教、提昇團員佛學素養，佛光山紐約青 年團舉辦為期三天兩夜的青年學佛營，名為 “Workshop on Humanistic Buddhism”，於三月二十七至二十八日在佛光山鹿野苑舉行，特別邀請覺瑋法師授課，共計二十餘名學員 報名參加，其中包括來自紐約理工大學、紐約州立大學石溪分校 的學生及社青。

此次學佛營以輕鬆活潑的方式，輔以極具巧思的趣味遊戲，帶領學員認識人間佛教的真諦，只見各組推派出的代表一下一 下地拍著皮球，大家緊張地計數，不時為組員加油打氣，當 遊戲結束後訪問各人心情時，從彼此分享中發現其實皮球沒 有那麼容易控制，越是想讓它維持在定點，手上便不自覺地 加重力量意圖操控，往往就是在這個時候彈出自己掌控，與 一個人的日常生活相似，越是想追求穩定不變的幸福，越容 易患得患失。遊戲最後的玩家照名次依序抽籤，再按籤號閱 讀《迷悟之間》與《星雲禪話》的文章小品，經過一番熱烈 討論後，師父指出即使遊戲第一名可以先抽籤，籤上也可能 寫第二號，選到的文章也有可能是最難進行討論的，我們是否不 應太執著於眼前的勝負呢？

結營前學員們熱烈地分享心得，將兩天所學以短劇形態表演， 除了非常感謝主辦單位的安排與課程內容的用心，亦紛紛詢 問未來何時有類似的學佛營或禪修營，大家相約下回鹿野苑再見。

最近為了保護牙齒，維護逐漸衰壞的色身，在公司備齊一套牙刷牙膏，方便午餐後刷牙漱口，有時候在電腦前吃完早餐，或下午吃了點餅乾，都會想要刷牙。

一上一下地刷著，偶爾冒出奇怪的念頭：「嗯，等一下應該去洗澡」。

奇怪？好像把公司當成自己家裡一樣。(應該是被一塊豬油餅傳染了)

雖然聽過很多次「要把道場當家」的話，可是卻從來沒有這種感覺。

道場對我來說究竟是什麼樣的一個存在呢？

走進佛光會辦公室，按著影印機的按鈕，身旁不時有人進出，自己好像只是冷冷的看著忙碌的櫃台；有時看到地上垃圾會彎腰揀起，看見桌子歪了會稍微挪動一下；在三樓靜靜地看書，還會抬頭小休片刻，跟觀音菩薩擠眉弄眼。

可是好像僅此而已。

少了點什麼。

對著空蕩蕩的教室，思考著應該「找出原因想辦法讓道場有家的感覺」，還是「接受是兩種不同的環境繼續下去」，四周似乎響起一陣嘲諷。可笑。

有幾次，站在門口，卻就這麼只是站著而已，躊躇著沒有伸手開門。

還有幾次，早上睡醒了，坐在床上思索著今天為什麼要去。

What is 8 precepts retreat?
by Frank Yao

Many practitioners are eager to practice diligently and improve their conduct. They wish to cultivate a pure mind and live a life of detachment. However, they do not have the chance or proper condition to become monastic. 8 precepts retreat is a special retreat that was devised to let ordinary lay practitioners to experience such life. Throughout the retreat, the participants will observe the 8 precepts to refrain themselves from conducting behavior that might lead to unwholesome deeds. The 8 precepts are as following:

1.To refrain from destroying living creatures.
2.To refrain from taking that which is not given.
3.To refrain from sexual activity.
4.To refrain from false and incorrect speech.
5.To refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs.
6.To refrain from eating after midday
7.To refrain from sensual entertainment and use of bodily adornments.
8.To refrain from using a high or luxurious bed.

The first five are derived from the five precepts, with minor change on third percept. In short, to refrain from killing will develop our compassion towards sentient beings. To refrain from stealing not only prevent us from conducting bad deed, but also teach us to respect other’s property. Since we want to experience the life of monastic, participants will refrain from sexual activity. To refrain from false speech is to respect one’s dignity and be true. Be true to elf and others. Intoxicating drinks and drugs often clouds our judgment and lead to unwholesome behavior. Since we want to cultivate wisdom, such substance should be avoided.

In Buddhism, we treat dinner as a medicine to heal our body and we often practice mindfulness during each meal. Normally, a non-practitioner has desire towards excessive food and craves for delicacy. To refrain from eating after midday during 8 precepts retreat will help us detach from such desire and focus on our practice. Thus, we can turn our attention to cultivating morality, mindfulness, and wisdom. It helps our mind to distinguish real hunger from craving for delicious sweets or snacks. To refrain from sensual entertainment and use of bodily adornments will avoid us to be indulged into useless things. It reminds us to reflect on ourselves as we should equip ourselves with merits and virtues instead of using cosmetics or bodily ornament. To refrain from using a high or luxurious bed is a reminder that we want to dedicate this day to diligent practice. As high and luxurious bed sometimes provide too much comfort and lead us into a path of indolent life, we want to be aware of such comfort for the duration of retreat.

Observing these 8 precepts for one whole day will develop a right and virtuous conduct. It will train our mind to be more aware of things, to be less indulging into bad or useless things. I hope after understanding the purpose behind these precepts, everyone can set aside one day and participate.

This year marks an important year for New York YAD as we face many changes. We elected new president and our two new vice presidents. We have a new line up of capable executives. Many new activity ideas were brought up. No doubt we will be very busy planning and preparing for the upcoming activities. While we try to adjust to those changes and balance our hectic schedule with YAD function, I want to remind everyone that we should always remember our inspiration.

What was your inspiration? What made you join the YAD? It could be a person you look up to; a quote you read from our master’s book; a brief dialog you heard from lecture; or a moment of realization you experienced during an event. Each of us join YAD with different reason, but our inspiration is what motivates us and keep us going. There may come a time when you question the result of your effort. You might find yourself busy juggling between school, work, and activities. You almost gave up because it felt so tiring to finish that extra mile. During those dire times, I find it most helpful to contemplate on my inspiration. It reminds me of the goal I set when I had that inspiring moment. It made all the trouble worthwhile because I know that I am one step closer towards the objective.

The spirit of a Bodhisattva must be combined with the energy of a youthful heart in order to spread Buddhism widely. If we always remember our inspiration, we will be able to generate the strength to help us face difficulty. The Youth Buddhism Retreat is coming up around end of March. The 2010 Children’s Summer Camp is also around the corner and set to start at end of June. With our new found energy, I believe we will finish the preparation on time and make these events successful.

通常對於這種心得是寧缺勿爛，不過既然那一頭火燒眉毛催

今天開示的內容集中在解釋四念處：「觀身不淨，觀受是苦，觀法無我，觀心無常」。想起以前曾經閱讀的經文：「色無常，無常即苦，苦即非我，非我者亦非我所，如是觀者名真實正觀。」我們在禪堂坐的這麼辛苦，腰腿疼痛，正可趁此機緣體會「無我」，因為就算自己不斷地想：「不要麻」、「右腳動一動」、「不要痛」，可是麻苦不會消失；心念也不聽指揮，一直想著那種感覺；右腳左腳也麻木難以移動。所以其實疼痛是有好處的，疼痛讓我們明白無常，讓我們體會實性，我們想我們該與疼痛為友，藉著疼痛來提起正念，不至昏沈。不過也希望不要太痛苦，不然就會坐不下去，想要出堂打包回家。@@|||~

第三天開示內容是從四念處觀入空觀，很多內容都曾思考過，表示以前好好讀書學習沒白費功夫。從空觀談到解脫、自在，不要害怕「空」這個觀念，感覺無所憑依，其實明白空性才能真正解脫自在，因一切有為法如夢幻泡影，故應無所住。如果不能明白緣起空性，不斷追求一個不變的東西安住，終究是失敗的，而且只會生起更大的煩惱，不如深明諸法無我，接受事實。

所謂平時一樣窗前月，但有梅花便不同。平淡的人生，以佛法為助緣，便可點出煥然一新的別景，希望未來的日子能平安喜樂，學習佛法而隨遇而安。

今天跑香時忽然聽到監香法師高喊：「不要空走！」是啊！很多時候其實我們的生命都是在空走。從小學走到中學，大學走出社會，家庭走去公司，走著走著，回頭一看才發覺時間就這樣流逝，有沒有試著感受每一步、每一個過程帶來的喜悅？是否太專注於眼前的目標，忽略腳下的律動？

師父接著又說：「Don’t walk in vain」。當時雙腿疼痛的我，正一拐一拐地試著追上前面的師兄，不知為何錯聽成「Don’t walk in pain」，心想：「奇怪，才沒走幾步怎麼會痛呢？」繞了禪堂一圈，似有所悟：這痛並不是腳腿的疼痛麻苦，而是發現人生空走後的心痛。

慧濟法師說諸法因緣生，禪定亦是需要因緣和合。為了勿空走而心痛，也是需要新的因緣來改變，希望這次的禪七能成為第一個增上緣，幫助自己成長，讓生命不再空轉。

PS:禪七期間，禪學員每天都要寫日記，我預計慢慢將每天的日記貼出來與大家分享，希望大家讀後也會想要參加禪七喔~