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January
15, 2008 |
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為慶祝佛陀成道紀念日，分享佛陀成道的喜悅，馬尼拉佛光山於一月十五日法寶節，由數十位義工準備五千多份色香味俱全的臘八粥分送給護法信徒，與他們的家人，朋友，員工，公司行號及社會團體。鄰近寺廟四百多户貧民，及正興建之馬尼拉佛光山文教大褸工程部的工友們也都分享到這份喜悅。義工們以一顆最虔誠恭敬的心呈上一碗碗熱騰騰，香氣四溢的臘八粥時，而受者的那份歡喜心也表露無遺。法會中，住持永昭法師除了敍述佛陀成道的故事，並講解臘八粥的來源與意義，更着贈粥與大眾結緣。使施者與受者，增長智慧，培養慈悲心，歡喜心，在修持道上更加精進。 |
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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.
Why serve porridge during this day?
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. |
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The kitchen crew was up early and cooking vats of
porridge all throughout the day. Both sweet and
savory porridge were made in several batches. |
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Porridge is ladled into sterile microwavable containers. |
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They were left to cool a bit before packing and stacking
for distribution. |
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Lunch was sweet and savory porridge with side dishes. |
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Distribution of free porridge to the community began at
2PM. |
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 These
guys keep the city clean. They're called PULIS
OYSTER. The name does not make any sense so I
Googled them and found that OYSTER is an acronym for "Out-of-School
Youth Serving Towards Economic Recovery." They
are employed by the police, hence the name "pulis" (Tagalog
for police). This is another livelihood program by
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. |
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