纽约普特南郡中文學校成立感言
劉璐
喜逢龍馬奔騰的甲午馬年,又迎美佛會成立五十週年,真是雙喜臨門!
如果用龍馬拼搏進取,不畏艱難險阻,不屈不撓,勇往直前的精神,來形容美佛會的每一個奉獻者是再恰當不過的了。
為了有機會使當地居民認識佛教,除菩提比丘的英文講經和方丈法曜法師的定期英文禪修班及法會外,在繼興法師倡導下,在菩提比丘和法曜法師鼎力相助,及眾法師、董事們和職員義工們的大力支持下,本縣第一家中文學校於2012年在莊嚴寺正式成立,當地三家報紙刊登了這個好消息,教育局長親臨本寺表示祝賀。美佛會成立於1964年(甲辰龍年),紐約莊嚴中文學校成立於2012年(壬辰龍年),也許是一種巧合,也許是歷史發展的必然。
2012 年美佛會員大會後当时的会长繼興法師邀請我到莊嚴寺講「弟子規」。我于是提出可以建立中文学校传播中文和中华文化。莊嚴寺要成立中文學校的計劃,得到了方丈法曜法師全力支持,並把校址訂在和如紀念圖書館。
创办学校不仅需要倾心投入,艰苦奋斗而且需要开拓进取。为了打破传统的教学模式我选用了一套聲文圖並茂的动画片教科書其生動活潑的教學內容、精彩紛呈的互動課程、豐富完善的配套資源,受到許多學校和老師的歡迎,是多媒體中文教材最徹底、最大膽和最成功的一次嘗試。另外中文學校亦教授中華文化以〈弟子規〉為教材《弟子規》就是從《論語學而篇》所摘錄出來的,是儒家的經典著作。分為五個部份加以演述;具體列舉出為人子弟在家、出外、待人接物、求學應有的禮儀與規範,特別講求家庭教育與生活教育。
首先在日常生活中,要做到孝敬父母,友愛兄弟. 姊妹。其次在一切言行中,要謹慎,要講信用。和大眾交往時,要平等仁慈。要時常親近有仁德的人,向他學習。以上這些事是學習的根本,如果做了還有餘暇,更應努力地學習其他有益的學問。
中文學校於2012年9月16日正式開學,第一天只有三個學生。我重新拟定了一份招生计划并决定走出寺院開始在當地進行大量的宣傳,終於在不懈的努力下克服了種種困難。現在將近四十名學生成為中文學校的正式學生。我在莊嚴寺創立中文學校沒有任何經濟上的報酬,但这不仅仅只為寺院和社區服務,也是為自己往西積累福慧資糧同時也把功德迴向給孩子們希望他們健康快樂成長並學有所成。現在中文學校仍然面對很多的困難。但是,我相信中文學校在成長,而且在大家的齊心協力下會越辦越好。隨著中國國際影響力的提升,引發了世界範圍的“中文熱”。中文學校在教授中文的同時,也成為向當地民眾傳播中華文化的一個窗口。也希望通過這個窗口使更多的人認識佛教,不僅能感受寺院的清靜和吉祥,更希望在這裡能體驗到人生的真諦。
會長菩提比丘曾這樣講到:在當今社會,中文對美國人來說可能是最重要的一種語言。中文的重要性不僅有利於我們從事商務,經濟及外交活動而且中文反映了偉大的傳統精神,是中國的文化遺產的重要組成部分。這就是為什麼我們莊嚴寺向當地居民提供學習中文的場所和機會。
方丈法曜法師也希望學生們通過對中文和中華民族文化的學習的同時也能夠認識佛法,抑惡揚善、誠實守信,慈悲濟世,潤澤世風。張維光董事也重申讓我們一起期待種子早日開花朝著陽光生長。
我們祈盼年輕的一代如龍,騰雲駕霧;如馬,奔騰萬里,如龍那樣吉祥,如馬那樣正義。在弘法大道上大步邁進。般若之燈,燈燈相繼,祈願法輪常轉、永住世間。讓我們團結一心,以飽滿的熱情,使莊嚴寺的世界更美好。
为了满足不同宗教人士学习汉语的需求,中文学校于2017年9月迁址卡梅尔镇并更名纽约普特南郡中文学校(NYPCCS)。纽约普特南郡中文学校隶属于纽约普特南郡华人协会(NYPCCA)NYPCCS是一个非营利的教育和文化的组织机构。她不仅是一个高质量的教学机构而且以弘扬博大精深的中华文化和语言为己任并积极促进社区文化的多元化。
BAUS Chinese School Reflections
.Translated by Claire Liu
On this occasion, we joyfully welcome the 50th Anniversary of our arrival in the United States. This is also the Year of the Horse. Energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent, hardworking, and magnificent—the spirit of the horse reflects the beauty of the BAUS and each of its contributors.
In order to influence the second generation of Chinese and America people, Venerable Dr. Bhikkhu Bodhi regularly holds English classes and lectures for Dharma comprehension, while Venerable Dr. Dhammadipa holds Sunday meditation classes and semiannual meditation retreats.
In addition, under Ven. Bodhi and Ven. Dhammadipa’s advocacy, help and support along with Sangha, board members, and staffs volunteers.Putnam County’s first Chinese school was established in 2012 in Chuang Yen Monastery. Three local newspapers published the good news. The Superintendent of Carmel School District, Dr. James Ryan was impressed with the program.
The BAUS was established in the United States in 1964 (The year of the Dragon). The New York Chuang Yen Chinese School was founded in 2012 (Also, the year of the Dragon). It may be a coincidence, or perhaps it’s inevitable historical development.
After the annual BAUS member meeting in 2012, the previous president Ven .Ji Xing invited me to teach "Dizigui" in Chuang Yen Monastery. So, I suggested that we could build a Chinese school that offers classes to spread the Chinese language and culture, in addition to “Dizigui.” The abbot Ven. Dr. Dhammadipa Sak fully supported the plan and sited the school in the WooJu Library.
The establishment of the school is not only fueled by passion, classroom experience, and entrepreneurial verve, but it is also fueled by the eagerness to improve in the future. In order to develop a program that is focused on differentiating from those of other Chinese schools, I choose a Chinese text book that is specifically designed for children who are not native Chinese speakers. It emphasizes listening skills, speaking skills, character recognition, and sentence expressions. The curriculum adheres to both the California World Language Standard (CWLS) and the Han ban Youth Learner Chinese Test (YCT) standard.
Chinese culture has been deeply influenced by Confucius, a great Chinese teacher and educator. His influence extends throughout the world even today. Di Zi Gui 《弟子規》 is the ultimate guide to a happy life. For thousands of years, this book has contained the recommended standards for students. Children should be well-disciplined and taught moral principles and virtues when still very young, as well as what it means to be dutiful to parents and respectful of teachers. In introducing this book, we hope it will serve as reference material and provide guidance for parents and children. Thus, future generations will benefit from it and society and our world will be at peace.
On September 16, 2012, there were only three students attending the Chinese school. I decided to spread this message to the public community not only the monastery. I had overcome many difficult situations. Today the school has expanded to serve forty students. Over the years, I have volunteered my time to build a sound foundation of the Chinese school. I’m doing this not only for benefit monastery and community, but I also hope that the merit of this program can be dedicated to the healthiness and happiness of the students and help me embark on the path of the pure land. Unfortunately, the Chinese school is still facing many difficulties. However, I believe that the Chinese school will grow and become better and better. I hope that more and more people will understand Buddhism, enjoy the monastic’s peaceful and greatest blessings, and at the same time experience the true meaning of life.
President Ven. Dr. Bhikkhu Bodhi has talked about how in today’s world, the probably most important language for everyone in America to learn is Chinese. China is now a major economic and political power, and he expects that in the future the relations between our two countries will grow even closer. Chinese is especially important not only because contact with China will serve in our business and economic interests, and help diplomacy and international relations, but also the Chinese language reflects the great spiritual traditions that have shaped the cultural heritage of China. This is why the Chinese language is promoted at our monastery.
Abbot Ven. Dr. Dhammadipa also hopes that the students, through learning Chinese and Chinese culture, will also be able to recognize the Dharma, to recognize the dharma distinguish good from evil and promote goodness, honesty, trustworthiness, and compassion to save the world and its spirit. Mr. Wayne Chang also importuned us to look forward to the early flowering seeds growing toward the sun.
And so we pray for the younger generation as we do for the lucky dragon flying in the clouds, and the justice horse galloping for ten thousand miles. We hope the wisdom of the ones before them transpire to them and that the Dharma will always be in their hearts. Let us unite as one, with enthusiasm, to make the world a better place in the Chuang Yen Monastery.
To meet the needs of different religious people to learn Chinese. Chinese School relocate to Carmel town and change new name as" New York Putnam County Chinese School (NYPCCS)in September 2017. NYPCCS is of New York Putnam County Chinese Association (NYPCCA).NYPCCS is a non-profit educational and cultural organization. She is not only a high quality teaching institution, but also has the responsibility to promote the profound Chinese culture and language and actively promote the diversity culture of community .
On this occasion, we joyfully welcome the 50th Anniversary of our arrival in the United States. This is also the Year of the Horse. Energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent, hardworking, and magnificent—the spirit of the horse reflects the beauty of the BAUS and each of its contributors.
In order to influence the second generation of Chinese and America people, Venerable Dr. Bhikkhu Bodhi regularly holds English classes and lectures for Dharma comprehension, while Venerable Dr. Dhammadipa holds Sunday meditation classes and semiannual meditation retreats.
In addition, under Ven. Bodhi and Ven. Dhammadipa’s advocacy, help and support along with Sangha, board members, and staffs volunteers.Putnam County’s first Chinese school was established in 2012 in Chuang Yen Monastery. Three local newspapers published the good news. The Superintendent of Carmel School District, Dr. James Ryan was impressed with the program.
The BAUS was established in the United States in 1964 (The year of the Dragon). The New York Chuang Yen Chinese School was founded in 2012 (Also, the year of the Dragon). It may be a coincidence, or perhaps it’s inevitable historical development.
After the annual BAUS member meeting in 2012, the previous president Ven .Ji Xing invited me to teach "Dizigui" in Chuang Yen Monastery. So, I suggested that we could build a Chinese school that offers classes to spread the Chinese language and culture, in addition to “Dizigui.” The abbot Ven. Dr. Dhammadipa Sak fully supported the plan and sited the school in the WooJu Library.
The establishment of the school is not only fueled by passion, classroom experience, and entrepreneurial verve, but it is also fueled by the eagerness to improve in the future. In order to develop a program that is focused on differentiating from those of other Chinese schools, I choose a Chinese text book that is specifically designed for children who are not native Chinese speakers. It emphasizes listening skills, speaking skills, character recognition, and sentence expressions. The curriculum adheres to both the California World Language Standard (CWLS) and the Han ban Youth Learner Chinese Test (YCT) standard.
Chinese culture has been deeply influenced by Confucius, a great Chinese teacher and educator. His influence extends throughout the world even today. Di Zi Gui 《弟子規》 is the ultimate guide to a happy life. For thousands of years, this book has contained the recommended standards for students. Children should be well-disciplined and taught moral principles and virtues when still very young, as well as what it means to be dutiful to parents and respectful of teachers. In introducing this book, we hope it will serve as reference material and provide guidance for parents and children. Thus, future generations will benefit from it and society and our world will be at peace.
On September 16, 2012, there were only three students attending the Chinese school. I decided to spread this message to the public community not only the monastery. I had overcome many difficult situations. Today the school has expanded to serve forty students. Over the years, I have volunteered my time to build a sound foundation of the Chinese school. I’m doing this not only for benefit monastery and community, but I also hope that the merit of this program can be dedicated to the healthiness and happiness of the students and help me embark on the path of the pure land. Unfortunately, the Chinese school is still facing many difficulties. However, I believe that the Chinese school will grow and become better and better. I hope that more and more people will understand Buddhism, enjoy the monastic’s peaceful and greatest blessings, and at the same time experience the true meaning of life.
President Ven. Dr. Bhikkhu Bodhi has talked about how in today’s world, the probably most important language for everyone in America to learn is Chinese. China is now a major economic and political power, and he expects that in the future the relations between our two countries will grow even closer. Chinese is especially important not only because contact with China will serve in our business and economic interests, and help diplomacy and international relations, but also the Chinese language reflects the great spiritual traditions that have shaped the cultural heritage of China. This is why the Chinese language is promoted at our monastery.
Abbot Ven. Dr. Dhammadipa also hopes that the students, through learning Chinese and Chinese culture, will also be able to recognize the Dharma, to recognize the dharma distinguish good from evil and promote goodness, honesty, trustworthiness, and compassion to save the world and its spirit. Mr. Wayne Chang also importuned us to look forward to the early flowering seeds growing toward the sun.
And so we pray for the younger generation as we do for the lucky dragon flying in the clouds, and the justice horse galloping for ten thousand miles. We hope the wisdom of the ones before them transpire to them and that the Dharma will always be in their hearts. Let us unite as one, with enthusiasm, to make the world a better place in the Chuang Yen Monastery.
To meet the needs of different religious people to learn Chinese. Chinese School relocate to Carmel town and change new name as" New York Putnam County Chinese School (NYPCCS)in September 2017. NYPCCS is of New York Putnam County Chinese Association (NYPCCA).NYPCCS is a non-profit educational and cultural organization. She is not only a high quality teaching institution, but also has the responsibility to promote the profound Chinese culture and language and actively promote the diversity culture of community .