菲佛光山暨佛光會四島同步募款賑災為四川地震及緬甸氣旋災民念佛回向

2008年5月18日

【人間社記者葉錦櫻馬尼拉報導】

同聲誦念佛號 (陳瑜慧攝) 5月12日中國四川發生百年罕見超強地震，災情極為嚴重，令人悚目驚心，慘忍目睹，經傳播媒體報導之後，引起全球人的關注，紛紛投入救災工作。佛光山開山宗長星雲大師呼籲全球信徒及佛光會員於第一時間，傾力投入中國四川震災救援及救難工作，同時啟動「四合一」救災行動，國際佛光會秘書長慈容法師與中華總會秘書長覺培法師坐鎮，調度整合全球各地佛光會資源以及救援工作，並指示全球海內外道場，同步誦經念佛祈福回向。 菲律賓佛光山總住持永昭法師暨國際佛光會菲律賓協會戴育仁會長在接獲佛光山都監院及國際佛光會世界總會的指示後立即響應救災行動，於第一時間召開緊急會議，成立救災小組，立即發動馬尼拉、宿務、描戈律、怡朗四島佛光山暨佛光會全面展開「募款賑災活動」。自發佈訊息以來，立即受到佛光山僧信二眾、佛光會會員幹部及社會善心人士熱烈響應，踴躍捐輸。自13日發動以來至17止，已募到第一批善款共計菲幣四百多萬元，菲律賓協會將儘快把第一批善款匯到世界總會統籌賑災，把菲律賓各界善心人士的愛心送到四川救災。目前募款賑災活動還在積極進行當中。 恭讀祈願文 (陳瑜慧攝) 17日(星期六)晚上七時半，馬尼拉佛光山、宿務慈恩寺、描戈律圓通寺、怡朗佛光緣四島佛光道場同步為四川大地震受難者及緬甸熱帶氣旋傷亡者舉行「追思祝禱法會」，共同誦經念佛回向。雖然馬尼拉下著綿綿細雨，卻擋不住信眾的熱心，約近二百人參與法會。大家在住持永昭法師的帶領下共同課誦《阿彌陀佛經》及唸佛號，聲聲「阿彌陀佛」聖號，彌漫整個三寶殿，場面甚為莊嚴。拜願之後住持永昭法師恭讀星雲大師《為中國四川大地震祈願文》，共同祈求佛陀加佑，讓亡者往生佛國，蓮登九品；讓生者消災免難，健康如昔。

星雲大師為四川大地震賑災捐款

　 為中國四川大地震祈願文
星雲大師
2008年5月18日 A Prayer for Victims of the Earthquake in Sichuan, China
By Venerable Master Hsing Yun 　 　 慈悲偉大的佛陀！
五月十二日中國四川發生了大地震！
據聞已有數萬人往生
數十萬人受傷、無家可歸
慈悲偉大的佛陀！
您可曾聽到苦難眾生的呼號？
您可曾看到親人離散的慘痛？
　 Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
An earthquake happened in Sichuan, China on the 12th of May.
Hundreds of thousands have lost their lives or homes.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Have you heard the wailing of the suffering masses?
Have you witnessed the agony of the shattered families?
　 佛陀啊！佛陀！
那是人間地獄發出的哀嚎！
那是娑婆浩劫傳出的聲音！
在那兒，
　山崩地裂，家園全毀，
　飛沙走石，滿是瘡痍；
在那裡，
　路基流失，橋樑全毀，
　房倒人亡，觸目驚心；
　多少人身陷災區中，正在恐慌；
　多少人困在危地裡，無法出離；
尤其那許多青少年的學子們
在一瞬間，骨肉離散，天人永隔。
他們多麼需要救難人員能夠及時趕到！
他們多麼需要佛陀您能夠加持與庇護！
他們此時正像迷失的遊子，都在尋找寄住的家園；
他們此時正像驚惶的羔羊，都在尋覓安全的依怙；
有的人不幸罹難了，
有的人無辜傷殘了。 Oh Buddha,
These are the pleas from a hell on earth!
These are the cries for help from a Saha calamity!
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Here,
Buildings and houses have collapsed,
And devastation abounds amidst the wreckage and rubble;
There,
Sand and stones fly all over,
Misery and suffering greet the eye everywhere.
So many were trapped in the wreckage,
Filled with fear;
So many were confined in dangerous places,
Unable to escape;
So many youthful students lost their lives in just one moment,
Forever separated with loved ones;
They are desperate for the relief of the rescue crew!
They are in dire need of your blessing and protection!
They are like lost travelers looking for a secure home;
They are like frightened lambs seeking a safe shelter.
Some of them unfortunately fell victim to the disaster;
Some of them were innocently wounded and disabled.
　 慈悲偉大的佛陀！
祈求您的加被
讓他們生者消災免難，健康如昔；
讓他們亡者往生佛國，蓮登九品。 Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
We pray for your blessings:
May the survivors be relieved of their suffering and recover their good health;
May the deceased be reborn in the land of Amitabha and progress smoothly through the nine stages of lotus incarnation.
　 慈悲偉大的佛陀！
請求您讓他們都能體悟，
　現實的家園會有成住壞空，
　只有自己的本性才能永恆安住；
請求您讓他們都能了解，
　即使骨肉至親，也會有生離死別，
　只有證悟解脫，才是究竟的依靠。 Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
May they all realize that their physical homes will go through the stages of birth, existence, decay and demise,
That only their self-nature can sustain forever;
May they all understand that death and separation from family and loved ones befalls all of us,
That only enlightenment and liberation are our ultimate reliance.
　 慈悲偉大的佛陀！
請求您庇佑劫後餘生的人們，
賜給他們再生的信心，讓他們知道：活著就有希望；
賜給他們向前的勇氣，讓他們明白：生存就是力量。
請您給他們福佑，讓他們身心的創傷趕快轉危為安；
請您給他們定力，讓他們悲痛的情緒得到轉苦為樂。
請求您讓他們明白，
唯有振作精神，重整家園，
　才能讓亡者得到最大的安慰，
　才能讓自己得到最後的成功。
我們更祈求，
　這次的災情不要再擴大，
　類似的禍害不要再發生。
更祈求您加被所有的民眾，
讓大家都知道你我生命是共通的，
讓大家都體會自他關係是互動的；
我們一定要在平時作好防範工作，
我們必須要互助合作，居安思危。 Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please bless and protect the survivors of these disasters,
Please grant them the confidence to live a new life;
May they know that where there is life, there is hope;
Please grant them the courage to move on;
May they understand that where there is survival, there is strength.
Please give them your blessings,
May their bodies and minds heal quickly;
Please give them the strength of concentration,
May their painfully sad spirit regain joyfulness.
Please let them understand that,
Only with fresh energy to rebuild their lives can the deceased obtain the greatest consolation,
And can oneself obtain the ultimate success.
Furthermore,
We pray that this disaster will not worsen,
That such disasters never occur again.
Please bless and support all people:
May we all realize that the lives of self and others are interconnected;
May we all understand that we all affect each other in our relations.
We must take preventive measures in time of peace,
We must cooperate with and help each other
And be prepared for possible future perils while enjoying peace.
　

慈悲偉大的佛陀！
請求您接受我至誠的祈願，
慈悲偉大的佛陀！
請求您接受我至誠的祈願。

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept my sincerest prayer!
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept my sincerest prayer!

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2008 Vesak Day

This year's Vesak Day will once again be held at the open-air Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia.

Guests at the opening ceremony on April 18 (10:30AM) will include of prominent personalities from the religious community. They will be representing the Catholic, Hindu, Islamic and other faiths.

BACKGROUND

The exact date of Vesak, informally "Buddha's Birthday," is in the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar (typically May), coinciding with the first full moon of that month. The date varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar and actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.

On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.

(souce: Wikipedia)

Come and Join the Celebration ...

... Bathe the Buddha to receive blessings all year round.
... Make your wishes come true at the Wishing Bodhi Tree.
... Drop your kids at the Children’s Activity Center.
... Have your photo taken for a personalized souvenir.
... Stimulate your mind at the reading area.
... Watch the original all-Filipino production Siddhartha: A Musical Journey to Enlightenment.
... Enjoy the variety show on closing night.

For those who are interested in the religious aspect of the festival, the opening ceremony will include an Offering Ceremony where traditional objects like flowers, candles and fruits will be offered and blessed. Sutra Chanting accompanied by Buddhist musical instruments will be the highlight of the ceremony.

Visitors are encouraged to participate in the simple Buddha Bathing procedure where the participant ladles water on the statue of the infant Buddha in the following manner:

Bathe the right shoulder: “I vow to do good deeds.”
Bathe the left shoulder: “I vow to speak good words.”
Bathe the back: “I vow to have a good heart.”

The two-day event is open to the public, and admission is free.

Five Controversial Food Additives

Most food ingredients we consume are safe, but a few have raised concerns among some health experts.

Temma Ehrenfeld
Newsweek Web Exclusive
Updated: 3:03 PM ET Mar 13, 2008

The majority of food additives are safe. But manufacturers still add some ingredients best avoided--often to food products that aren't especially good for you anyway (think soft drinks or hot dogs). "Choose foods in the form closest to nature," advises dietician Joanne Larsen. Those will typically contain more vitamins and minerals. In other words, opt for fresh foods rather than those that have been processed with additives for a longer shelf life or to fill other needs of modern food production.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization that focuses on food safety, offers a chart on the merits and demerits of most food additives, both natural and manufactured. Here are five of the most controversial additives from CSPI's list. All have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but some health experts suggest that we cut back or eliminate them from our diet whenever possible.

Sodium nitrite. Bacon, sausage, hot dogs and smoked foods typically contain this preservative, which combines with amines in the stomach to form nitrosamines, a carcinogen also found in tobacco smoke. Although there's no proof that nitrite in food causes cancer, there's evidence linking it to the disease. One good reason not make those ballpark hot dogs a habit: in a 20-year study reported in 2006, researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm concluded that out of 61,433 Swedish women, those who ate the most cured meat doubled their chances of getting stomach cancer. Meat isn't the only place you'll get nitrates, though. Researchers in Barcelona recently reported a link between stomach cancer and fish, vegetables and smoked foods preserved with sodium nitrite.

Potassium bromate. Used to process flour, bromate has been the subject of much scrutiny and concern. A study by the FDA concluded that "it is reasonable, based on an extensive database, to assume that bromate induces tumors via oxidative damage." A committee of experts from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization deemed its use as a flour agent "unacceptable" based on evidence that it causes cancer in animals. It also appears to cause abnormalities in human blood cells in lab experiments. While potassium bromate has not been banned in the U.S., the FDA discourages bakers from using it--and at least one state, California, has approved a warning-label requirement that has led many bread makers to abandon the additive. Still, it's a good idea to check labels yourself if you want to avoid the additive.

Acesulfame potassium (or acesulfame-K). You're most likely to see this sugar substitute in products advertised as sweetened by Splenda, or sucralose, which manufacturers sometimes blend with acesulfame-K in baked goods, gelatin desserts, ice cream, iced tea and soft drinks. As Splenda became the top artificial sweetener, overtaking Nutrasweet (or aspartame), acesulfame-K became much more common in supermarkets.

Laura Tarantino, director of the FDA's Office of Food Additive Safety, says that "more than 90 studies support the use of acesulfame." The Center for Science in the Public Interest, however, argues that the FDA should reconsider the evidence, citing animal studies linking it to cancer. Chang Lee, chairman of the department of food science at Cornell agrees that the "controversy over the safety of acesulfame-K has not been completely resolved." In the meantime, if you've got concerns, there's an easy solution: satisfy your sweet tooth with fresh fruit--or real sugar.

Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. You've heard plenty about potentially artery-clogging "trans fats" in the news; on food labels, they're found in "partially hydrogenated" (or just "hydrogenated") vegetable oil and are still used in crackers, baked goods and such restaurant foods as french fries or fried chicken. The case against trans fats is so strong that health departments in New York City and Philadelphia have limited their use in restaurant cooking; and several big food companies--including Starbucks, McDonald's and Frito-Lay--are cutting back on trans fats or eliminating them. Anyone with a family history of heart disease should take note and do the same.

Artificial food colors: Check the labels on favorite foods for FD&C Yellow No. 5 and No. 6 and FD&C Red No. 40, three synthetic colorings used in food that were cited in a study published last fall by the British medical journal The Lancet. Researchers followed 144 8- and 9-year-olds over six weeks--some of whom drank a juice containing a mix of the food colorings, others who drank uncolored juice (the food colorings had otherwise been eliminated from all the kids' diets). The result: the children who consumed the food colorings were significantly more impulsive and fidgety and also less attentive over the six weeks, although the study did not identify specific links between consumption and the agitated behavior. The researchers obtained similar results with 3-year-olds. An FDA spokesman says that "further testing on this issue is needed," but that the agency "has no reason to change our conclusions that the ingredients that were tested in this study that currently are permitted for food use in the U.S. are safe for the general population." Click here for more of the FDA's take on the safety of color additives.

URL: http://www.newsweek.com/id/123060
© 2008

National Museum

The BLIA Reading Club visited the National Museum today to view the new exhibit called "Gems of Chinese Cultural Antiquities." Since cameras were not allowed inside the museum, we only took a few shots outside the museum.

J.E.S.T. Camp, Subic Bay

On January 28 to 29, a few members of BLIA Pasig and BLIA HK Subchapter traveled to Subic Bay for some R&R. A highlight of the trip was a visit to J.E.S.T. Camp. J.E.S.T. stands for Jungle Environment Survival Training. For the short visit, we were treated to a demonstration of jungle survival skills by instructors who used to train US Special Forces and Navy SEALs back when there was still an American Navy Base at Subic.

The demonstration included carving cooking and eating utensils from a single bamboo stalk, making fire from dried bamboo, obtaining water from bamboo stalks, and shampoo from gugo (entada phaseolides). Our instructor for the day was Sir Jopel.

After the demonstration by Sir Jopel, we headed to the Butterfly Kingdom and Insectarium to view some unusual insects indigenous to the jungles around Subic Bay.

Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to check out the other attractions at the camp.

如常法師蒞菲巡迴佛學講座: 圖說釋迦傳的故事深獲好評

佛光緣美術館總部執行長及世界佛教美術圖說大辭典主編、現任大仁科技大學講師如常法師，應菲律賓佛光山暨國際佛光會菲律賓協會之邀，特別撥空於1月16日蒞臨菲律賓，立即馬不停蹄地巡迴於描戈律、怡朗、宿務及馬尼拉各島作四場的佛學講座，講述《圖說釋迦傳的故事》，所到之處皆受到當地信眾熱烈的歡迎並深獲好評。

1月20日下午二時，假馬尼拉佛光山三寶殿舉行第四場佛學講座，此場講座由馬尼拉佛光山暨國際佛光會菲律賓協會主辦，香江分會與巴石分會聯合承辦。當天下午聽聞者十分踴躍，整個三寶殿座無虛席，約有百餘人聞法受益。

如常法師以其深厚的佛學造詣及對宗教藝術的博學多聞，透過電腦新科技PowerPoint的輔助，將她從世界各國博物館收集而來的珍藏圖片一一作詳細的解說。從「佛陀腳底的千輻輪、扁平足等瑞相說起；如何辨識佛像；如何辨識佛陀的結手印-施無畏印、允願印、禪定印、降魔印、說法印；佛傳故事從何部經典而來；到佛傳故事之八相成道-降兜率相、托胎相、降生相、出家相、降魔相、成道相、說法相、涅槃相…等等」，透過圖片將釋迦牟尼佛一生輝煌的故事講述得淋漓盡致，字字珠璣，讓大眾聽得津津有味，對佛教教主有更深入的認識，人人皆感法喜充滿、受益良多。

菲律賓佛光山總住持永昭法師勉勵大眾：看到佛陀一生都是在宣揚佛法，普渡眾生，當下我們更要發心發願來弘揚佛法，讓正法永存。希望在天主教國家，經由一次次的聽聞佛法，大家都能「 自覺與行佛，化世與益人」，讓菲律賓國家更安定、社會更祥和、人心更淨化，並祝福大家在新的一年眾緣和諧、子德芬芳！這是一場圓滿成功的佛法饗宴。

亞洲週刊 article about 星雲大師

Click on the image above to read the article.

Dharma Day 臘八粥

On the 8th day of the last month in the lunar calendar, we celebrate “Dharma Day.” This is the day when Gautama Buddha attained Buddhahood while meditating under the Bodhi tree. This year's Dharma Day fell on the 15th of January.

During the six-year period wherein Gautama Siddhartha was searching for the answers and solutions to the many problems and sufferings of human beings, he tried many methods to gain wisdom. One of the methods was “takas”, the practice of self-mortification to gain wisdom, wherein he lived on a grain of rice a day. However, this practice caused him to lose his health and become very weak.

One day, he realized that holiness can never be attained through fasting only or the pursuit of materialistic satisfactions. The most appropriate was to take the “middle path,” the practice of moderation in any undertaking. At this moment, Gautama Siddhartha stood up and went to a clear stream to take a bath. Due to his failing health, he was too weak and could hardly reach the shore. He eventually fainted at the riverbank.

He was discovered by the shepherd girl Sujata, who offered him milk-rice which nourished him back to health. With his strength back, Siddhartha walked to the place called Gaya and meditated under the Bodhi tree. Meditating in perfect happiness and peace of mind for 49 days, he observed the great bright night star and the transformation of the sky that took place. Thus, he finally realized the truth in the existence of everything in the universe – Dependent Origination. The 49th day happened to be the 8th day of the 12th month of the lunar calendar, the day Siddhartha attained Buddhahood and became the Buddha. For Buddhists all over the world, this is referred to as “Dharma Day.”

Though porridge might be considered a simple food, Buddhists regard serving it as embodying hope to serve food for both the physical body and spiritual mind. A quote from the sutra stated, “Having received the Dharma, contentment is fulfilled.”

Through this celebration of Dharma Day, when porridge is being served, we pray and hope that more people will come to partake of this palatable food and at the same time receive and learn the noble teaching of the Buddha’s Dharma.

Link: Dharma Day Celebration

如常法師佛學講座

現任台灣大仁科技大學講師如常法師將應國際佛光會菲律賓協會之邀蒞菲分別於宿務 怡朗 描戈律 及 馬尼拉作環島佛學講座。
如常法師畢業於佛光大學藝術學研究所； 擁有碩士學位。 現任大仁科技大學講師； 佛光緣美術館總部執行長 及 世界佛教美術圖說大辭典主編； 曾主編「千載一時一時千載」恭迎佛指舍利來台特刊；「覺有情」星雲大師墨跡圖錄； 「雲水三千」星雲大師弘法五十週年影像等。 掌管佛光山海內外9個美術館。 擅長舉辦大型的佛教文化藝術活動。 法師對宗教藝術博學多聞。 這次應邀來菲律賓作環島說法。 講述-圖說釋迦傳的故事。 實是菲島信眾的一大福報。

如常法師將於1月16日抵達菲律賓作環島佛學講座。
講座行程如下:

描戈律圓通寺 1/17 (星期四) 晚上 7:30pm
怡朗佛光緣 1/18 (星期五) 晚上 7:30pm
宿務慈恩寺 1/19 (星期六) 晚上 7:30pm

馬尼拉講座將於2008年1月20日(星期日)下午2:00pm在馬尼拉佛光山三寶殿舉辦。 由香江分會與巴石分會聯合承辦。

敬邀各界善士蒞臨聽經聞法。 共沾法喜。 歡迎來電查詢 – 馬尼拉佛光山 (5234909； 5253680)。 王彬佛光緣 (2415797； 2425658)

2007 BLIA Party at Mr. Teh's

On December 26, 2007, Mr. Albert Teh, the President of BLIA Philippines, hosted a "Christmas Party" at his house in Multinational Village, Paranaque City. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food was served. While some members showed off their singing talents in karaoke, the highlight of the party included a raffle of prizes courtesy of Mr. Teh.

The party was concluded with an exchange gift/musical chairs type of game.

Image size and quality have been reduced for faster web viewing.


2007_1226 BLIA Party at Mr. Teh’s

BLIA Pasig & HK Party at Lina Lim's

On December 21, 2007, the BLIA Pasig and HK Subchapters had a potluck and exchange gift party at Lina Lim's house. Both vetetarian and non-vegetarian dishes were served. Ms. Lina Lim was formerly a presdient of BLIA Pasig Subchapter. She is now one of the Vice Presidents of BLIA Philippines.

Image size and quality have been reduced for faster web viewing.


2007_1221 BLIA Pasig & HK Party at Lina Lim’s

2007 水陸法會

This is a rather late post for an event that transpired a month ago...

December 1, 2007: Devotees from BLIA Philippines traveled to Taiwan for the 2007 水陸法會. Other devotees already went a head a few days before while others arrived later. Overall, there were 32 devotees from the Philippines, 8 of whom are members of BLIA Pasig Subchapter.

December 9: Everyone traveled to Taipei and stayed at Pumen Temple. Pumen Temple is the oldest Fo Guang Shan branch in Taipei. Its head abbess Venerable Master Yung Guang used to be the head abbess of Fo Guang Shan Philippines.

December 10: The group visited Fo Guang Shan Taipei Vihara and had lunch at Jendou Vegetarian Restaurant. The group split into two in the afternoon. One group went to Taipei 101 while the others went to Kwang Hwa to shop for computers and electronic gadgets.

December 11: Majority of the devotees flew back to Manila. The rest stayed behind until December 13 to do some shopping.

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2007 Fo Guang Shan Shui Lu Fa Hui