Empty Nature
by Tiffany Zheng (Chuan Ren)

In class today, we learned about the sage, Subuti. The abbess told us a story about how Subuti realized the truth of “Empty Nature.” The Buddha was returning from his recent trip to heaven, where he had been giving dharma talks to his mother and other heavenly beings. After three months, the Buddha decided it was time to go back. All the Buddha’s followers wanted to welcome the Buddha back to Earth. So they arranged a party. At that time, the wise sage, Subuti, was meditating in a cave on Ling Mountain. When he heard the news of the Buddha returning, he also wanted to welcome the Buddha. However, he suddenly realized that Buddha’s dharma body is everywhere and that all the followers were only welcoming Buddha’s physical body. Because of that, Subuti stayed on the mountain. When Buddha set foot on Earth, a nun ran up to him and exclaimed that she was the first one to welcome the World Honored One back to Earth. However, the Buddha told her that she was just the first one to welcome his physical body. The one who really welcomed him was Subuti because he realized the truth of empty nature.

During class time, we all practiced meditation. For the activity, we made sculptures out of play-dough. Our topic was meditation. We had a great time in class today!

Charity
by Tiffany Zheng (Chuan Ren)

Last Saturday, at kids class, I learned that you can give away poverty and obtain wealth by performing charity. I also heard a story about an old lady that worked for a cruel master. One day, when she was filling a pitcher with water from the river, the sage, Katayana passed by and saw the old lady. He was compassionate and wanted to help her. So, he went up to the lady and asked her if she wanted to sell her poverty. She was deeply surprised, so the sage told her to fetch some water and offer it to him sincerely. The lady did as he said and that night, she passed away and was reborn in heaven. From this story, I can learn that you must be generous to obtain what you want.

A few days ago, I helped some friends by giving them band-aids when they hurt themselves. I also always give my friends at school a share of my cookie or dessert (if I have any). Sometimes I buy my friends cookies from the school cafeteria. Another thing is that, every day, after school, I clean my lunch thermos by myself, which saves my mom from more work. Sometimes I also do my own laundry and wipe the tables by myself.

Today, at kids class, I learned the importance of moral conduct. The precepts include, no killing, stealing, or lying. I promote these precepts by being a vegetarian and by taking things only if I have permission. I am also honest.

Another important thing I learned is the proper way to eat. I practiced this lesson at lunch and dinner. Over the week, I look forward to using the lessons I learned today in my daily.

A Mother’s Day Poem 
by Milan (Chuan Qien)

My Mom
You are nice as a leaf.
I love you more than a diamond ring.
Your heart is as pure as a lotus flower.
I love you so much.

 

空性

Tiffany Zheng(Chuan Ren)

 

今天在課堂上學到了須菩提尊者的故事。住持法師告訴我們菩提尊者怎麼悟到空性。佛陀去天界為母親和其他天人說法，三個月後決定返回世間，佛陀的弟子準備舉辦一個盛會迎接佛陀。這時須菩提在靈鷲山的石洞裏靜坐，他聽到佛陀要回來的消息，也想去迎接佛陀。但是刹那間尊者悟到，佛陀的法身無所不在，其他佛弟子要去迎接的只是佛陀的肉身，於是須菩提尊者決定留在山上。當佛陀返回世間時，一位比丘尼迎向佛陀，宣稱他是第一個迎接世尊的人。佛陀告訴這位比丘尼，她是第一個迎接佛陀色身的人，真正第一個迎接佛陀的是瞭解什麼是空性的須菩提尊者。

堂課上我們練習了禪坐，還用黏土製作玩偶。我們的主題是禪坐。今天的課真是有趣。

 

 

布施

Tiffany Zheng (Chuan Ren)

我在上個星期六的兒童禪修班學到，布施可以不再貧窮、而且得到財富。我也聽到了一位老太太的故事。老太太為一位刻薄的僱主工作，有一天她正要去河邊打水，嘉他也那（Katayana）尊者經尊者經過河邊看到了老太太。尊者十分慈悲，想要幫助老太太，於是尊者向前問老太太是否想把她的貧窮賣掉。老太太非常驚訝。聖者要老太太去拿一點水供養聖者，老太太就照著做。當天晚上，老太太就過世投胎到天界了。這個故事告訴我，慷慨布施才會心想事成。
幾天前，我的朋友們受傷了，我就把 OK繃給他們。我在學校常常跟朋友分享餅乾或甜點（如果我有的話）。有時候我在學校餐廳買餅乾請同學吃。還有一件事，我每天放學會自己把中餐的保溫餐盒洗好，減少媽媽的工作。我時候我會自己洗衣服、擦桌子。
今天我在兒童禪修班學到了戒行的重要。我們應該守的戒包括不殺生、不偷盜、不說謊。我守戒的方法是: 我吃素食，而且只在得到允許後才拿別人的東西。我也很誠實。
我還學到另一個重要的事情, 就是適當用餐的方法，我在中餐和晚餐時練習這門課。這個星期，我希望把今天學到的事用在日常生活中。

 

 

母親節的詩

Milan(Chuan Qien)

我的媽媽

您像樹葉一樣美好。

我對媽媽的愛，勝過我對鑽戒的愛。

您的心像蓮花一樣純淨。

我是多麼的愛您。