【第十一屆】111學年度靜思語與我的生命故事徵文比賽_第一名_醫學檢驗生物技術學系三年級_蔡佩玲

  “Filial piety to parents should not have the mentality of calculating time, and supporting parents should not have the mentality of weighing material things.”

“I hope someday you will succeed and live happily” This might be one of the ultimate hopes that frequently uttered by every parent in this world to their children. Like what my parents did, they always give their best contribution and sacrifices just for the sake of my happiness. They always prioritize my needs and satisfaction above all things. Nevertheless, sometimes we are just too busy growing up and forgetting that we also have parents who are also growing old.

Back then, I always think that by having great academic performances and success in career life are the greatest form of happiness that I could give to my parents. That is also the reason why I didn’t return to Indonesia for almost 3 years as I always prefer to substitute my summer and winter vacation with having a part time job rather than going back home and reunited with my family. I used to think that “reunited with parents” is something that can be postponed assuming that there are still many opportunities and time in the future.

However, it all just hits me into a different perspective when I finally came back to my hometown during this Chinese New Year 2023. What a painful reality that my father passed away 5 days after my return to Indonesia. I was so devastated and feeling desperately hopeless. Exactly one day before my father passed away, I talked to him for an hour and I made a promise with him that I will take care of him and granted his wishes so that he can live his dreamlife happily. Nevertheless, the next day the universe had stopped me to accomplish those promises. I had to lost a person who raised me up with all of his love until who I am today. I had to lost a person who always turning my tears into comfort and to laughter. I had to lost a person who always taught me wisdom and guide me all the way throughout every milestone in life. It was indeed the most painful reality that I had to accept. 

“Filial piety to parents should not have the mentality of calculating time, and supporting parents should not have the mentality of weighing material things.”

This is one of the Jingsi Aphorism from Master Cheng Yen that had awaken me up. It has a very deep meaning to me and fully relate to my life story. In this context, what I had learned is that we had to make sure that we always make an utmost effort to spend time with our parents while we can, because one day when we look up from our busy life, they won’t be in this world anymore. Every single passing day is moving and never forget our parent dedication because the merits of both can never be replaced by the multitude of our treasure.

“Every single day is like a blank page of our life. Every person we meet, every event we participate in is a lively assay- Jingsi Aphorism.” Here is my life story that I sincerely want to share to all the readers. Be thankful if you still have time to love your parents, to hold their hand and to pour out your heart to be with them. Love your parents, console them when they are worried or sad, and always prioritize their needs above all things as the have loved you through all the life. Make today count. It comes only once in a lifetime. Make good use of time and cherish what we have, treat one another with love, respect and gratitude.

【第十一屆】111學年度靜思語與我的生命故事徵文比賽_第二名_宗研所一年級_彭秋玉

 用心就是專業

「妳是學電腦的嗎?」

很多人都以為我是學電腦的，但在我讀大學的年代，根本沒有個人電腦!

偶然的機緣看到一句靜思語「用心就是專業」，我相信，只要用心沒有學不好的事，比如電腦的各種軟體操作，只要多摸就會了。

我是1997年加入慈濟泰國分會(當時叫聯絡處)才開始學用電腦的，之後隨著電腦升級而增加設備，從桌上型到手提型，從沒有網路到有線網路、到天天依賴無線網路。

負責泰國分會文宣的我，需要做海報，早期都是用一張全開的海報紙，貼上照片，再用廣告原料寫上美工字。電子時代來臨，我開始買書學用Photoshop，在網路不普遍時，我先從書本的教學照著一步、一步做，再加以應用，做出一張張生動的海報。現在我可以信手捻來，將各種創意用電腦美美的呈現，就是因為相信靜思語說的「用心就是專業」。以拿敬老票的高齡，還可以幫高雄線上讀書會做美編、劉濟雨師兄防疫雲端讀書會做美編及小編。

泰文我也是自學的，從認識44個子音，到配上母音的拼音念法，從不會學到會，還是相信「用心就是專業」。學泰文的動機是因為請人翻譯而做出的泰文海報，常被電腦自作聰明的斷錯句，或一個字被分在行尾及行首無法念，我因而發憤圖強學泰文，如今會說也會看。

到慈大宗研所就讀，只是單純的想學習用學術的語言說慈濟，為慈濟爭取一些話語權。雖然大學畢業已超過四十四個寒暑，髮蒼蒼、齒搖搖。記憶力明顯下降，學習的能力也降低，但是我仍深信「用心就是專業」，只要用心，一定能達成我自訂的目標。

【第十一屆】111學年度靜思語與我的生命故事徵文比賽_第三名_宗教所一年級郭秀枝

 愛的種子在發芽

靜思語：人的心地是一畦田，土地沒有播下好種子，也長不出好的果實。第一次接觸到靜思語，這句話已深植我心。因對它的深刻體會，也奠定我一生推廣靜思語的志願；從美國到臺灣，從校園到企業，讓愛的種子隨我走到之處落地生根。

1992年在美國紐約支會，從十幾個孩子的中文班開始推動靜思語教學。一句靜思語就是一個善種，從感恩父母開始，在故事引導、手語帶動、繪本製作等充滿人文、趣味的情境教學下，孩子學會說愛語，學會道感恩，家長也熱心投入愛心媽媽的行列，溫馨情懷從校園蕩漾回家園。經過了五年的人文陶冶後，1997年慈濟紐約人文學校成立了，三百多位海外學子表現的是與眾不同的人文氣質。而我個人也因好因緣，轉任公立184小學中文教師，將愛的種子繼續擴散至其他校園，透由中文教學讓靜思語融入孩子心裡，也落實在生活中。

2001年回國，在科見美語任教，擔任課程研發職務，而將靜思語納入課程中。剛開始為老師做培訓研習時，有些老師抱著觀望的心態，並沒積極配合，但看到別班學生有相當好的回饋也就樂於參與。十六年間，孩子聯絡簿上圖文並茂的畫、說靜思語變成親師生共同的話題，慈濟人文飄香在科見，一時蔚為美談。

此外，進校園說故事、慈科大慈懿日、西村里社區關懷據點，無不是推廣靜思語的園地，讓愛的漣漪不斷蔓延。

感恩上人的靜思語，讓我謹守善念，處處結好緣。也讓遍地深根發芽的種子，早日綻放幸福的果實。

【第十一屆】111學年度靜思語與我的生命故事徵文比賽_佳作_醫技二_李志輝

 7.8 Billion Beacons of Hope

   As a kid, I loved watching SpongeBob. One episode that I found entertaining was when SpongeBob accidentally boarded the wrong bus and found himself stuck in a deep-sea zone called the Rock Bottom. The deep sea, as we know, is a very dark and frightening place to be in. The story continues as SpongeBob struggles to make his way back to the surface.

           Going to university in Taiwan and studying in medical college was probably my biggest gamble. As I got into a new environment, far from the comforts of home, I must force myself to adjust. Reciting and translating what my teacher said in Chinese during the class took up hours and days of my time. It eventually became my routine to catch up with everyone. This responsibility slowly traps me and forces itself to become my utmost priority. Consequently, I missed out on many social events, sacrificed fun time out with my friends, and even led the loss of some friendships. I also lost sleep hours, which might also pose risk to my health. It eventually got me to a moment where I begin to ask myself: “Am I really happy this way? Is it even worth the sacrifice? What am I seeking? Or should I just give up and find an easier route to take?” Without me knowing, I also boarded the wrong bus just like SpongeBob, and soon enough, I’m also stuck at Rock Bottom!

           However, the funny thing is, just like SpongeBob, although I’m stranded down there, I also keep on trying to get back up. Despite not knowing the answers to all of my doubts, I somehow still keep on going up until this day…. But why?

“Life is filled with pain and sufferings but also with hope and love.”

           If we look closer, this Jing Si aphorism is trying to convey a powerful message that hope is not scattered around life. But instead, by using the word “filled,” the aphorism is trying to tell us that hope is enclosed within each life itself! This means, every life, like yours and mine, are thoughtful hopes and prayers, echoed by the past and present for the future of humankind. These are the hope that someone… someday… will find the cure for cancer, start a world-changing charity work, end world hunger, stop further wars, advocate peace and equality, or create a greener world and bring about better days. Every hope is carried by us! 

           There are 7.8 billion beacons of hope including you and me who convince humanity, that despite mishaps and hindrances, regardless of difficulty and setback, or the unknown part of our journey that is yet to be written, the future is a railroad with a destination. Hence, every life serves a purpose! 

           As I am writing this essay, I also reflect on my life. The aphorism reminded me that my life too, is a hope and that’s why I shouldn’t give up. It is the hope I can be a compassionate medical worker and help others that become the reason to my perseverance. Thus, when we are going through challenges and giving up seems like an option to take, may we always be reminded that we are carrying a ray of hope in our lives! May the honor of being a hope carrier strengthen us always! And who knows? Maybe SpongeBob's desire, and his hope to continue entertaining us is what gave him the strength to get back up to Bikini Bottom! 

The aphorism also correlates with what Stephen Hawking once said: 

That “when there is life, there is hope!”

【第十一屆】111學年度靜思語與我的生命故事徵文比賽_佳作_宗研所一_王耀明

 輕輕的一句「付出無所求」卻令人感恩一輩子

2010年在門外等候參加慈青活動的女兒，突聞場內慈青分享「付出無所求」這句靜思語，覺得非常契合慈濟志工的心境；時值一家三口移民加拿大的第二年，生平第一次接觸慈濟，開始參與志工及聽聞善法的行列；一切就從  證嚴法師：「甘願做歡喜受，付出無所求」這句話，開始了入人群求真理的感恩學習之路。

    從積極攝受 證嚴法師的晨語開示開始；讓自己從一個不知六道為何，不懂佛教義理的人，逐漸了解「付出無所求」其實是佛教「三輪體空」的具體表現。在做慈濟事的過程中，發現真心誠意，事事以身作則，不論做事、幫助、服務他人，必能得到他人的信任及支持；而這也是「誠心誓願度眾生」的最佳實踐。

    從做慈濟事當中，逐漸理解必須用自己那顆真誠無罣礙、無負擔的心，站在對方的立場思維，給予實質的需求及膚慰，如此無私無我的付出，心中的快樂是無法形容的；這讓一個53歲不曾有堅定宗教信仰的人，如同貧窮子找到了心靈的故鄉、生命的歸處，從此發心追隨明師學習。

    邊學邊做一晃十年，學而知不足，決定進入慈濟大學宗教與人文研究所，開始從經典思想、人類、心理、現象、哲學的角度，觀察學習認識不同的宗教信仰，如何透過信仰療癒解決社會問題，讓受苦難的人身、心、靈得到慰藉，以實踐淨化人心、社會祥和、天下無災的和樂世界。

    一路走來，心中只有感恩；從做中學、學中覺，進而領悟了「付出無所求」，是以一顆真誠的心，打破一切世俗藩籬的疆界，引領自己後半生，邁步直行向前的明燈。

【第十一屆】111學年度靜思語與我的生命故事徵文比賽_佳作_兒家二_陳詩珮

 學佛後的家庭新思維

最近，媽媽轉傳篇文章給我，標題「你真的了解你的孩子嗎？」或許其他家長會處心積慮，找出了解孩子的證明，不過我相信，這個答案在我們家是肯定的。父母在接觸佛法的薰陶之後，一反常態變得和藹可親，起初我們都受寵若驚，因為江山易改，本性難移，我們都深知積習難改，也正是因為他們的改變，才一點一滴的影響了現在的我。

  改變最大的莫過於我的父親，以前是個沙文主義者，很好面子，而且對我們要求嚴苛，成績只要未達標準，一律家法伺候，讓我們都避之而唯恐不及。現在的他，會幫我們縫補衣服做手工，裙擺的縫線鬆了，袖口的鈕扣掉了，總能在那雙巧手下恢復原狀。此外，他也開始變得平易近人，假日我們會燒一壺好茶，坐在茶几旁享受我們的父女時光，有時候他總是靜靜的聽，卻讓我感到無比踏實。

  再來說說我的母親，以前他總是覺得讀書是學生的一切，依稀記得以前我因為沒認真讀書被罰半蹲，小時候的我只要成績不好都非常焦慮，因為在補習班被臭罵一頓後，回家又是嚴父嚴母的連環轟炸。現在想想都覺得那段回憶很不可思議。現在的我們不是母親對女兒的訓斥，取而代之的是與好友促膝長談的歡樂時光。

家庭對我而言是愛、歡樂和笑的殿堂。因為學佛改變了我的父母；改變了整個家庭；現在也像漣漪一般不斷舒展，改變著我。誠如靜思語所述：「父母是堂上活菩薩，是真正能接受扶養，能讓我造福靈感的活佛。」因為能有這樣的家庭教育，才造就現在的我。

父母一直建立我們一個觀念「做個手心向下的人」，有能力就要幫助別人，廣結善緣。起初，我覺得很抽象，而且心態上會有小小的不平衡。為什麼我應該要這樣做？如何才能真正做到付出無所求？而心中的在這些疑惑很快的得到應證。他們並沒有說一大堆的長篇大論，而是投身志工行列，用行動向我現身說法。

現在的我只要有空就投身於志工行列。到偏鄉帶營隊，期望透過自己所學翻轉他們的命運。到精舍做志工，儘管只是掃地，也真正讓我體悟到「掃地掃心地」道理。透過幫助別人，找尋自己的價值，做個手心向下懂得感恩的人，也從中獲得莫大的滿足感。

【第十一屆】111學年度靜思語與我的生命故事徵文比賽_佳作_醫學三_吳卉莉

付出的願

    「心量大，才能付出關心與愛給天下眾生。」阿嬤從小就這樣提醒著我，要當個心量大並且願意付出的人。小時認為付出就是將自己所擁有足夠的東西分給他人；長大後慢慢發現，其實付出的時機不一定是在自己已充足擁有的情況下，而是在意識到他人比自己更需要的時候；最近在接觸到無語良師之後，我又改變了這個想法，我不禁開始思考，究竟要有這樣的付出，心量要有多大?

    無語良師奉獻自己的身體，讓學生得以從中窺探人體的奧秘。我們得以觸摸到真實的肉體，得以親自下刀累積經驗，甚至從錯誤中學習，這種「寧我身上劃錯千刀，別在病患身上劃錯一刀」的付出精神是多麼的偉大，令我越想內心越感慨。

    在課堂中我們不僅從無語良師的身上學習到很多知識，更多的是人與人之間的連結、一個個的故事與期望、願與善的結合。我很感激能在這認識我的無語良師，並且當他的學生，我是多麼的幸運，有機會了解老師的為人處事與種種信念。我學到太多的東西卻無法將這份情感回報給他，這樣的心情讓我頓時覺得自己很渺小，我了解到原來這才是真正的將付出與關愛散播出去。

    真正的付出是不計一切的，是將心中的善，用行動來展現，並且分享給所有世界上的萬物；是一種希望大家都能同好的發願，而努力的去奉獻。這樣的精神能讓這個世界更好，並且達到善的循環，這樣的願也是我期許自己夠一輩子都努力去達到的，盡力的去散播愛與關懷，去付出與認真體會，去學習當個心量大的人。