「把握因緣」-天南寺義工行 Doing Volunteer Work in Tien-Nan Temple－luosteve的部落格

前幾天消失了一陣子，請格友們見諒！一直想做點有意義的事，於是向公司請了無薪假，一個人前往三峽「閉關」了五天，到「天南寺」當義工去了~~五天裡，雖沒有電腦、沒有隨時可買東西耗溝的7-11、不能去唱K、無法找朋友逛街、少了可以哈拉的你們，但日子卻非常得樸質踏實自在。

I’m so sorry my dear blogger friends about disappearing for a couple of days. I’d been thinking to do something meaningful before I had this idea actually carried out and went to San-Shia for a 5-day “retreat” after getting my un-paid leaves I applied from my company. Tien-Nan Temple was where I spent the past 5 days on a voluntary mission, during which, though having no access to any computer or chances to grab snacks in 7-11s, not being able to sing songs in KTV, no friends to hang out with, I led a life of simplicity, enrichment, and freeness.

「天南寺」是法鼓山佛教體系在台北三峽的分院，雖沒有金山的本院來得大，不過一樣是風景秀麗、莊嚴和修行的好所在，有小法鼓山之稱。

“ Tien-Nan Temple ”, located in San-Shia Township , Taipei , is a branch belonging to Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) Buddhist Association. Smaller in area than its headquarter in Jin-San, Tien-Nan Temple , also known as the epitome of DDM, is relatively picturesque, magnificent, and proper for self-cultivation.

「天南寺」才成立一年左右，大致的建設都已就序，而目前尚有少許部份還在施工或籌劃當中。寺裡的法師不多，每位都非常慈悲。會選擇「天南寺」主要因為我喜愛寺宇的清幽寧靜，「天南寺」正是這種好地方，同時它目前也需要許多義工菩薩前來佈施付出，藉此我也可沈澱自己，並為「三寶（佛教三寶指：諸佛、佛法、僧眾）」貢獻己力。前些日子日本大地震更堅定我這義工心念，向菩薩應許，會將當義工的所有功德，迴向給日本的的災民，希望每人都平安。

It’s just been a year or so since Tien-Nan Temple was established. Most of its infrastructures have been nearly settled down, but still there are some of its accessories being under construction or planned. There are only a small number of DDM’s monastery dwelling in the Temple , all of whom are kind and compassionate. The reason why I chose Tien-Nan Temple for the above purpose was that peaceful and serene places are always attempting to me, and the Temple happens to be the very one where I could make the most of my stay there to settle myself as well as make contributions to the Three Jewels (in Buddhism, the Three Jewels refer to as the Buddha, the Buddhist Scriptures, and the Monastery). In the meantime, many a devoted volunteer is still wanted to help build the surroundings of the Temple better. It was quite shocking to me when I learned of the killing earthquake hitting Japan not long ago, and thus I made a petition to the Bodhisattva for the dedication of the merits which I would accumulate from the mission for the victims of the earthquake, wishing that everyone would be fine.

義工師姐們的素菜超級好吃 The vegetarian food made by those female volunteers are super yummy.

和常哲法師聯絡上後，二十號晚就到寺裡掛單啦！接下來的五天，開始過著早上四點半就得起床、一同做早晚課、白天則出坡工作、晚上九點半打板就寢的「修行」生活。我的工作主要由常哲法師分配，就如同雜役一般什麼都要去學去做：幫忙義工師兄們在山上搬重達十八公斤的石板鋪禪修步道、挑磚塊、鏟土、灑水、掃托地、搞電線線路、油漆粉刷、園藝…等。在這裡每個人都得放下身段，你不再是大企業家、不再是學校教授、不再是光鮮亮麗的空姐空少，你只是個學習如何心態柔軟及負責的熱血義工。

I firstly contacted Master Chang-Zhe before I checked in the Temple on the 20^th. For the following 5 days in a row, it was imperative that I follow the routine Buddhist schedule to get up at around 4:30am, do the chants with other Buddhist masters in the morning and evening, work in the day, and go to bed at 9:30pm. My jobs were mainly assigned by Master Chang-Zhe. Like an odd-job man, I needed to learn and do whatever I was offered, including helping other male volunteers move stone planks (each weighs about 18 kilos) for paving the Zen Practice paths, carrying bricks, shoveling soils, sprinkling water and sweeping the dirt, wiring task, painting the walls, gardening, etc. Here, no matter what you are-an enterpriser, a college professor, a decently-dressed flight attendant, or whatever-everyone needs to get off his high horse and learn to be a humble and responsible volunteer wholeheartedly.

他們都是發心的義工喔! (當然不只這些) They are all devoted volunteers. (of course there are more)

常哲法師指導我如何在工作中行禪，再加上心裡的這份願，工作再累、手腳再酸痛都感到自在喜悅，依然活力十足。

Master Chang-Zhe taught me how to put my mind to Zen when I did heavy tasks. The Zen practice together with the petition I made kept deeply in mind made me joyful and energetic at work in spite of being very tired or feeling pain in hands and legs.

常學法師第一天看到我時給我一句話：「把握因緣」。這五天我一直謹記在心，累了想到這句話就不敢停下腳步。佛教說因緣，要有好緣現前是相當難得的事，行善要即時，機會稍縱即逝，無常如影隨行，很多人隨便一個不注意就上氣不接地走了；之前在醫院當義工時也聽到不少癌末或病危的病友說好了之後也要和我們一起做，我們心裡暗想這對他們可能只是個「夢想」，但還是會給他們加油打氣。很多人連想做善事的機會都沒有，所以趁身體好時就可隨時找時間做有意義且讓自己福慧滋長的事來做。

Master Chang-Xue presented me with a word on my first day here, “Cherish the good causes.” I kept this word all the time and called it to mind when tired. Cause and Condition are the core of Buddhism. It’s not easy to encounter a good cause, so we all have to join charity work in time because good causes vanish into thin air quickly whenever they’re ignored. We should all realize that impermanence is never far away and it may claim our lives unexpectedly. I used to work as a volunteer in hospitals and I heard many patients with terminal cancers or critical illnesses vow they would join us if they restored to health. Knowing that it’s more likely to be a “dream” to them, I still tried my best to cheer them up. From such case, a number of us get few or even no chances to do good deeds; therefore, in order to have a meaningful life and gain blessings, we’d better learn to give selfishly when we’re well.

感恩「天南寺」常哲法師給常度（我皈依聖嚴法師時的法名）植福田和行願的機會，感恩其他法師們的法語和照顧，感恩師兄姐們的發心，感恩友人Steven的開車接送。與其說做義工是無私貢獻己力的付出，倒不如說它讓我上了一堂免費、且非常豐富有意義的人生課程。希望格友們若時間允許，也可以一同加入義工/志工的行列；只要有心，哪裡都可以找到義工/志工的工作（如到醫院或寺宇、教會及網路上詢問、亦或參與地方的資源回收工作等）。

I am so much grateful to Master Chang-Ze of the Temple for offering me this valuable opportunity to cultivate the field of blessings and to fulfill my wish. Also, many thanks to other masters for sharing me the words of wisdom and cares, to all the devoted volunteers, and to my good friend, Steven, who gave me a ride to and from Tien-Nan Temple . Doing volunteer jobs can be viewed as a way to enrich our lives and spirits more than simply as a work contributed unselfishly. If time permits, everyone is highly suggested to participate in any charity-related volunteer work. As long as you are determined, you can always find a suitable one for you (you may inquire from hospitals, temples, or the Internet. Or you may join the recycling work in local neighborhood.)