There was a monk who lived in a deep mountain. One day a thief named Tom broke in this monk’s house. He just found some old clothes. The monk said, "I don’t have any valuable things. You can take my clothes. But you have to say, "Thank you." Tom said, "thank you" with a tiny voice and left.
The monk saw the bright moon that shined on Tom’s back. He thought, I wish I could give you the bright moon!
Several days later, a policeman caught Tom and found some clothes with the monk’s name written inside. He gave them back to the monk and wanted him to prove this thief’s crime. The monk said, "Tom didn’t steal my things. He said ‘thank you’ to me."
Tom felt much moved after he heard the words of the monk. He then asked for forgiveness and became a disciple of Buddha. He really received the bright moon which represents everyone’s pure heart.
Say Thank you when someone helps you.
Say Thank you when someone makes you smile.
Say Thank you when someone gives you some troubles.
Say Thank you when someone teaches you to think.
Say Thank you when someone creates your talent.
Say Thank you when someone leads you to the truth.
Say Thank you when you meet some good people.
Say Thank you when you avoid a bad situation.
Say Thank you when you calm down your mind.
Say Thank you when you had a good idea.
Say Thank you when you have everything you need.
Say Thank you when you feel joyful in your heart.
If you can say "Thank you" in any place and any time, you will find the bright moon everywhere.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Zen Story: 禪話，禪心
公案一: 他對我說「謝謝」
一位和尚住在深山裡。有一天，竊賊湯姆闖入了這位僧人的寮房，想偷些東西。他發現這裡沒什麼值錢的物品，只找到幾件舊衣服。和尚說：「我沒有什麼好東西，你可拿走這些衣服。但要對我說『謝謝』。」湯姆很小聲地說了一聲「謝謝」後，就離開了。
和尚看到明亮的月光，照在湯姆背上。望著走遠的背影，他想：「我真希望把月亮送給你!」
幾天後，警察抓到湯姆並發現贓物中有幾件衣服寫著一位和尚的名字。警察將衣服送還給師父，並希望他能出來作証湯姆的罪行。和尚說：「湯姆沒有偷我的東西，他有對我說『謝謝』。」
湯姆聽到和尚的回話後覺得很感動。他請求原諒並決定來學佛。他真的得到了那輪明月—意指每個人的清淨心。
Ï生活小哲理
當有人提供協助時，說聲「謝謝」。
當有人讓你開懷大笑時，說聲「謝謝」。
當有人給你一些境界時，說聲「謝謝」。
當有人教導你如何思考時，說聲「謝謝」。
當有人啟發了你的潛能，說聲「謝謝」。
當有人引導你接近真理，說聲「謝謝」。
當你遇到好人，說聲「謝謝」。
當你避開掉壞因緣，說聲「謝謝」。
當你安定心神時，說聲「謝謝」。
當你有一個美妙的構想時，說聲「謝謝」。
當你擁有想要的東西時，說聲「謝謝」。
當你內心充滿喜悅時，說聲「謝謝」。
＊ 如果你在何地方或任何時間，都能說聲「謝謝」，那你就會發現--處處有明月。
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Zen Story: My Country is Peaceful
When Zen Master Gao was still a novice, he went to pay his respects to Zen Master Weiyan of Yaoshan. Weiyan asked Gao, “I heard that the capital Chang-an is very noisy.” Gao replied, “My country is peaceful.” Weiyan asked, “Did you learn this from reading sutras or talking to a master?” Gao said, “From neither.” Weiyan then asking, “There are people who do not read sutras nor talk to the masters. Why do they learn nothing?” Gao replied,”It doesn’t mean they learn nothing. It is because they do not practice what they learned.”
When you see a beautiful girl but you are not influenced by her beauty, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you sit in a noisy room but you are not influenced by the sound, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you smell the redolence of freshly brewed coffee but are not influenced by its fragrance, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you taste a piece of bitter melon but you are not influenced by the bitter taste, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you lie on a hard bed but you are not influenced by the hardness, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you have bad dreams but you are not influenced by the vision, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you are not cheated by your eyes, ears, noise, tongue, body or mind, that is the TRUE PEACE.
Practice good ideas which you have learned, you will find TRUE PEACE always following you.
When you see a beautiful girl but you are not influenced by her beauty, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you sit in a noisy room but you are not influenced by the sound, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you smell the redolence of freshly brewed coffee but are not influenced by its fragrance, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you taste a piece of bitter melon but you are not influenced by the bitter taste, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you lie on a hard bed but you are not influenced by the hardness, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you have bad dreams but you are not influenced by the vision, that is the TRUE PEACE.
When you are not cheated by your eyes, ears, noise, tongue, body or mind, that is the TRUE PEACE.
Practice good ideas which you have learned, you will find TRUE PEACE always following you.
公案二: 我國宴然
高沙彌到藥山參見惟儼禪師，禪師問道：「我聽說京城長安不太安寧。」高沙彌回答：「我的國家非常平靜。」禪師問：「你的見解是從經書上讀到的呢，還是向師 父請教的呢？」高沙彌答：「既不是從看經學到，也沒有請教別人。」禪師又問：「有些人不讀經，又不去請問師父。為什麼學不到呢？」高沙彌答：「他們不是學 不到，他們只是不肯承當罷了。」
Ï生活小哲理
當你看見一位美女，卻不會被她的美色所迷惑，那就是真正的平靜。
當你坐在吵雜的房間內，卻不會受到聲音的影響，那就是真正的平靜。
當你聞到新煮咖啡的香味，卻不會被香氣誘惑，那就是真正的平靜。
當你嘗到一片苦瓜時，卻不會被苦味所困擾，那就是真正的平靜。
當你睡在硬板床上，卻不會感到困苦，那就是真正的平靜。
當你做惡夢時，卻不會被眼前的幻象所掌控，那就是真正的平靜。
當你不會被自己的眼睛、耳朵、鼻子、舌頭、身體及意念所騙，那就是真正的平靜。
＊ 落實你曾學過的好觀念，你會發現「真正的平靜」一直在你身旁。
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Chinese Culture is shining in the History of Oklahoma
The report of Buddha Mind Monastery to the Chinese Exhibition in Oklahoma History Center
History is the record of human activities, while culture is the spiritual connection of people. Recently, the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) and the Oklahoma Chinese Culture Foundation (OCCF) opened a one-year long exhibition, “A Scissor Tail Return – The Chinese Experience in Oklahoma” to show the lives of Chinese people in Oklahoma.
The Buddha Mind Monastery (BMM) is the first monastery of the Chan School in Oklahoma. Knowing that a lot of Chinese people are very sincere to Buddhism, Ms. Tinny Chang, the Director of OCCF, especially invited the following; Mr. Michael Bell, the Curator of General Collections of Oklahoma Museum of History (GCOMH), Mr. Rodger Harris, the Oral Historian of Research Division of GCOMH, and Ms. Susan De Quevedo, the Assistant Curator of GCOMH, to visit the Buddha Mind Monastery.
In order to support the Chinese Exhibition and let people have a chance to understand the history, culture, and art in Buddhism, Ven. Jian Tai, Abbess of BMM, provided a New Year Blessing scroll “Xiu Shan Ji Fu”, meaning “To practice good deeds and cultivate merits” by the Grand Master Wei-chueh of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, to their guests. Ven. Jian Tai also donated her old collections: one hundred and eight phoenix-eye chanting beads, a hand bell and a wooden fish to the Oklahoma History Center.
Phoenix-eye bead trees grow in India; every bead has an eye like a phoenix-eye. Beads are very hard and after chanting for a long time, the beads will become shinny and their color will turn darker. “We used to connect one hundred and eight beads together, which means to cut off one hundred and eight vexations and attain one hundred and eight Samadhi” said Ven. Jian Tai.
The hand bell is a percussion instrument used at a Buddhist monastery. It is made of copper and its shape is like a bowl, with a diameter of seven centimeters. The copper bowl is put on top of a 35 centimeter long wooden stem. People use a long copper stick to strike the bell.
There are two fish images in the wooden fish. We all know that fish don’t have eyelids and their eyes are open during sleep. This phenomenon is used to encourage Buddhists to practice diligently. Sometimes people carved a wooden fish with a dragon shape to show that normal people can turn into sages and saints.
Good results rely on wonderful causes and conditions. Through great planning and long term preparation, the exhibition was opened on Sep 21, 2007. Ms. Tinny Chang invited the Shifus and the lay people of BMM to join the opening ceremony. Ven. Jian Tai was also invited to cut the red ribbon. In order to celebrate this Chinese exhibition, the Dharma Support Association of BMM sent a basket of fresh flowers to OHC. Mr. Michael Bell, the Curator of GCOMH, represented the OHC and received the flowers.
There were more than three hundred people who joined the opening ceremony. Every one had high expectations for this exhibition.
There where many samples of Chinese clothing, food, festivals, literature and spirituality in the exhibition. The calligraphy “Xiu Shan Ji Fu” of Grand Master Wei-chueh attracted everyone’s attention. The photos of the Buddha Mind Monastery, and its Grand Opening Purification and Consecration Ceremony showed that Buddhism is propagating prosperously in Oklahoma. All the donation offerings displayed in the cabinets where a wonderful site to behold, proof of the great support by the local communities.
Though there are few Chinese people living in Oklahoma, their diligence and hard work has been affecting Oklahoma communities greatly. In 2004, the Shifus of the Buddha Mind Monastery started to propagate Buddhism and introduce meditation and Chinese culture to local people. For the first time, people who love Chinese history and art have a great opportunity to get to know the Buddha Mind Monastery and enjoy the art that is in Buddhism. We truly appreciate the efforts and time spent by the Oklahoma History Center’s, Ms. Tinny Chang and many volunteers. As a result of the effort and time spent by many people, the Chinese Exhibition is a shinning addition to Oklahoma’s history and proves that the Chinese people are contributing to the culture of this state.
The Buddha Mind Monastery (BMM) is the first monastery of the Chan School in Oklahoma. Knowing that a lot of Chinese people are very sincere to Buddhism, Ms. Tinny Chang, the Director of OCCF, especially invited the following; Mr. Michael Bell, the Curator of General Collections of Oklahoma Museum of History (GCOMH), Mr. Rodger Harris, the Oral Historian of Research Division of GCOMH, and Ms. Susan De Quevedo, the Assistant Curator of GCOMH, to visit the Buddha Mind Monastery.
In order to support the Chinese Exhibition and let people have a chance to understand the history, culture, and art in Buddhism, Ven. Jian Tai, Abbess of BMM, provided a New Year Blessing scroll “Xiu Shan Ji Fu”, meaning “To practice good deeds and cultivate merits” by the Grand Master Wei-chueh of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, to their guests. Ven. Jian Tai also donated her old collections: one hundred and eight phoenix-eye chanting beads, a hand bell and a wooden fish to the Oklahoma History Center.
Phoenix-eye bead trees grow in India; every bead has an eye like a phoenix-eye. Beads are very hard and after chanting for a long time, the beads will become shinny and their color will turn darker. “We used to connect one hundred and eight beads together, which means to cut off one hundred and eight vexations and attain one hundred and eight Samadhi” said Ven. Jian Tai.
The hand bell is a percussion instrument used at a Buddhist monastery. It is made of copper and its shape is like a bowl, with a diameter of seven centimeters. The copper bowl is put on top of a 35 centimeter long wooden stem. People use a long copper stick to strike the bell.
There are two fish images in the wooden fish. We all know that fish don’t have eyelids and their eyes are open during sleep. This phenomenon is used to encourage Buddhists to practice diligently. Sometimes people carved a wooden fish with a dragon shape to show that normal people can turn into sages and saints.
Good results rely on wonderful causes and conditions. Through great planning and long term preparation, the exhibition was opened on Sep 21, 2007. Ms. Tinny Chang invited the Shifus and the lay people of BMM to join the opening ceremony. Ven. Jian Tai was also invited to cut the red ribbon. In order to celebrate this Chinese exhibition, the Dharma Support Association of BMM sent a basket of fresh flowers to OHC. Mr. Michael Bell, the Curator of GCOMH, represented the OHC and received the flowers.
There were more than three hundred people who joined the opening ceremony. Every one had high expectations for this exhibition.
There where many samples of Chinese clothing, food, festivals, literature and spirituality in the exhibition. The calligraphy “Xiu Shan Ji Fu” of Grand Master Wei-chueh attracted everyone’s attention. The photos of the Buddha Mind Monastery, and its Grand Opening Purification and Consecration Ceremony showed that Buddhism is propagating prosperously in Oklahoma. All the donation offerings displayed in the cabinets where a wonderful site to behold, proof of the great support by the local communities.
Though there are few Chinese people living in Oklahoma, their diligence and hard work has been affecting Oklahoma communities greatly. In 2004, the Shifus of the Buddha Mind Monastery started to propagate Buddhism and introduce meditation and Chinese culture to local people. For the first time, people who love Chinese history and art have a great opportunity to get to know the Buddha Mind Monastery and enjoy the art that is in Buddhism. We truly appreciate the efforts and time spent by the Oklahoma History Center’s, Ms. Tinny Chang and many volunteers. As a result of the effort and time spent by many people, the Chinese Exhibition is a shinning addition to Oklahoma’s history and proves that the Chinese people are contributing to the culture of this state.
華人文化放光輝，奧州歷史開新頁
--佛心寺受邀奧州歷史博物館展覽記實--
歷史，是人與人活動的記錄；文化，是人和人精神之傳遞。美國奧克拉荷馬州歷史博物館（Oklahoma History Center）與奧華文教中心合作，舉辦「歸來燕，中國人在奧州的經歷（A Scissortail Returns：The Chinese Experience in Oklahoma）」展覽，為期一整年。將華人在奧克拉荷馬州生活之經歷，透過歷史的角度來呈現。
佛心寺為奧克拉荷馬州第一座大乘禪宗道場。奧華文教中心主任梁遵燕居士了知佛法在中國人的心目中，占有崇高地位。特邀奧州歷史博物館Mr. Michael Bell（Curator of General Collections ofOklahoma Museum of History）, Mr. Rodger Harris（Oral Historian, Research Division）及Ms.Susan de Quevedo（Assistant Curator of General Collections）來佛心寺參訪與交流。
為了成就此次展覽，並讓大眾更能了解佛教歷史文化與藝術，佛心寺住持釋見太法師與來訪的貴賓結緣上惟下覺大和尚書寫的「修善積福」新春賀聯及中台山文宣。並將自己收藏多年的古物：一百零八顆鳳眼菩提念珠、引磬及木魚各一組，捐贈給奧州歷史博物館。
鳳眼菩提子產於印度，每一顆的芽眼如鳳眼，因此得名。由於質地十分堅硬，經持誦後顏色轉深，且愈來愈具光澤。而一百零八顆念珠之意義，則是修行人為求證百八三昧而斷除一百零八種煩惱。
引磬為寺院中使用的打擊樂器，又稱手磬。銅質碗形，直徑約七厘米，隆起的頂端有鈕，置於一根木柄上端，木柄長約三十五厘米，用細長銅棍敲擊。
木魚刻有首尾相接的魚形。魚本身沒有眼瞼，睡覺時眼睛張開，以此現象勉勵修行者精進用功。而龍形木魚的樣式則取乎「魚化成龍」，表示「轉凡成聖」之意。
任何事情之成就，皆需殊勝的因緣才能達成。歷經長時間的籌備，今年九月二十一日，展覽正式剪綵開幕，梁遵燕主任特邀佛心寺法師及居士參加，並請住持法師剪綵。為了表達祝賀之意，佛心寺護法會致贈鮮花一籃給歷史博物館，由Mr. Michael Bell（Curator of General Collections ofOklahoma Museum of History）代表接受。
當天到場之中外嘉賓共有三百多人，每位參與者都對此次展覽抱持高度的期許。
展覽場地設有服飾、文教、節慶、飲食等區，並闢有「精神教化」區（Spirituality），於此區內，中台禪寺開山方丈上惟下覺大和尚書寫的「修善積福」四字，印在朱紅的牆面上，吸引眾人之目光。佛心寺開光灑淨法會及建築照片，讓與會來賓看到佛法在異國興盛的氣象，而展示櫃內則陳列各方捐贈給博物館的精品。
華人團體在奧克拉荷馬州的數目雖然不算多，但勤奮認真，對地方逐漸顯現出影響力。佛心寺從2004年 開始弘法度眾，接引中外人士認識佛法、學習禪修、了解中華文化。並藉由奧州歷史博物館展覽之因緣，讓愛好歷史文化藝術的人士，有機會和三寶結緣，擴展生活 視野，體會佛教藝術之美。在此要感謝主辦單位，梁遵燕主任及為此展覽付出的所有人員，由於大眾的發心，過去點點滴滴的努力，在這次中西文化之交會中，閃耀 出璀璨的光芒，也為華人在奧州之貢獻，作了最佳見証。
Monday, October 25, 2004
Meditation Class: Reflection
--Reflection--
I don’t have to come; yet I feel drawn.
Others in the dim light were also drawn.
We each pursue the Way.
Shifus guide us; incense holds us in its palms.
Compassion and peace fill the air between us
One weeps with compassion; one floats; I hear one swallow.
We all take refuge in this peace and beauty.
Others in the dim light were also drawn.
We each pursue the Way.
Shifus guide us; incense holds us in its palms.
Compassion and peace fill the air between us
One weeps with compassion; one floats; I hear one swallow.
We all take refuge in this peace and beauty.
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