「茹素」是佛法中長養慈悲、平等之心的具體修行方式。位於美國奧克拉荷馬州的佛心寺，為倡導素食利益，六月二十七日舉辦「二○一五佛心素食節」，活動包含演講、資訊展示、影片欣賞、烹飪示範及烹飪比賽等，吸引二百五十人同來「學素食、品美食」。
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
上午十時，活動由演講拉開序幕，住持法師以因果、慈悲的觀念，配合環保、糧食危機等全球性議題，引導大眾思惟素食的利益。第二場演講中，擔任護士的禪修班學員則從疾病及營養學的觀點，鼓勵大眾安心展開吃素新生活。
午齋是大眾引領企盼的「國際美食展」，包含二十個國家、三十道以上的特色餐點，色香味俱全的佳餚，令所有來賓大開眼界。在大眾享用異國美饌的同時，數位長年吃素的學員上台分享素食心得並提供實用建議，與現場來賓互動交流，氣氛溫馨愉悅。學員的親身經歷為有心嘗試素食的聽眾，帶來極大的信心和鼓勵。
四場生動的烹飪示範，介紹美味易學的料理，令人躍躍欲試；烹飪比賽中，參賽者須在四十分鐘內完成作品，由現場來賓試吃及評審，每道作品都是充滿愛心的天廚妙供。
資訊展示區以慈悲、環保、健康、營養等主題，比較肉食及素食的優劣，也提供各類食譜、超市及素食餐廳等資訊，協助大眾輕鬆轉換飲食習慣。現場亦發起「一週一日素或一日一餐素」活動，有半數以上來賓簽名響應，令人讚歎！素食節歡喜落幕之際，也祈願佛法平等、慈悲的精神在各地生根茁壯，讓世界少一分殺戮，多一分祥和。
活動心得
照客組／傳穎 我在此次活動中擔任照客，負責接待、引導來賓並介紹活動內容。看到組員間互相關照支援，以耐性及積極主動的態度來接待大眾，使絡繹不絕的參加者，在各個活動區都能賓至如歸，心中十分讚歎。也很感恩能在午齋時段，以過來人的身分與大眾分享自己數十年來的素食經驗。誠心希望能有更多人加入素食者的行列！
司儀／Paul Nightingale I had a wonderful experience of hosting this event. There was a terrific turnout, a full house! One thing that really stood out for me was the positive group atmosphere. Amazing! Attendees were very attentive and inquisitive to ask any questions related to the subject matter. As the host I found I was also impressed by the excellent timing and professionalism of the presenters including career chefs and medical professionals.（這次擔任司儀的經驗非常美好。活動進行得很順利，處處人山人海，洋溢著正向的團隊氣氛。讓我印象深刻的是，所有來賓都能聚精會神，抱持著好奇的態度踴躍發問；而在演講、烹飪示範和比賽的人士中，更不乏廚師及醫護人員。我很讚歎他們的專業素養，以及恰如其分的時間掌控。）
照客組／傳昇 I encouraged guests to make the pledge to be vegetarian one day a week or one meal a day. I realized that I can incorporate it into my lesson planning. I am a high school teacher and one of my most challenging subjects is about Advanced Placement Environmental Science. I believe teaching students about the benefits of making this commitment will demonstrate how we can make a difference in our environment through personal choices we make every day.（我鼓勵參加活動的來賓共同發願，每週一日或每日一餐練習吃素。身為高中老師，最有挑戰性的科目之一是有關環境科學的課程。我相信如果教育學生吃素的益處，能令他們體認到：我們每天所作的決定，都能在自己生長的環境中，產生顯著的改變。）
素食心得分享學員／Corby Poursaba Before I became a vegan 20 years ago, I was tired and frumpy all the time. Only after a few months of embracing the vegan lifestyle, I reaped its benefits of restoring energy during the day. Another totally surprising thing was I subconsciously became more compassionate toward animals. I started seeing animals in a completely different light. Something inside of me shifted. No longer were they sentient beings to dominate or kill. They are my equals who share this planet with us.（二十年前我老是感到倦怠無力，因此開始吃全素；才幾個月時間，我就感受恢復了以往的活力。另一件令人訝異的事情是：我開始用慈悲的態度看待動物，牠們不再是人類食用或主宰的對象，而是和我們平等共享地球的眾生。沒想到我的心念竟然因為吃素而轉變了！）
烹飪比賽學員／傳術 Though I am an experienced foodservice professional, I had never been involved in such an event. It was a great success for all. I was impressed by the care and detail that went into the planning and execution of it, and especially the feeling of open-minded goodwill, friendliness and compassion that pervaded the scene. My thoughts on all aspects of my own diet have been positively, and perhaps permanently, influenced by the things I learned and experienced.（雖然自己是有經驗的廚師，但這是我首次參加素食節。活動非常成功，令人感受到開放、友善、慈悲的精神。精舍投注許多心力在事前準備及當日的活動進行上，並注意到各項細節，這些努力令我印象深刻。在素食節中所經歷及學習到的事，對我的飲食觀產生了正面而長遠的影響。）
照客組／傳幸 Oklahoma is a land of animal farming. Farmers sell livestock for meat and or dairy use. This is the first time I have been to an event dedicated to teaching people how and why we should have a cleaner and more compassionate diet. It’s not easy to have so many Oklahomans came with open minds and curiosity piqued, not to mention inside a Buddhist monastery. Each participant now has seeds planted in their mind and they will realize what they are eating used to be living beings. This event is quite honestly making a dent in this state’s history, and I feel so honored to witness the change in Oklahoma culture.（奧州的畜牧業很發達，家畜被養殖來供做食物及其他日常用途。這是我第一次參加專門教導民眾如何培養更清淨、慈悲的飲食習慣的活動。想讓這麼多居民，以開放及好奇的態度來參與素食節並不容易，更何況是來到佛寺！所有來賓心中已種下種子，他們將體認到肉食者的食物是生靈的血肉。我相信這場活動已經在奧州歷史上留下印記，而我很榮幸能見證本地飲食文化的轉變。）
演講學員／傳道 I spoke at the Veggie Festival to tell people that well planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle. The audience was very kind, friendly, and patiently listened to pick up information which might help them in their efforts at being vegetarians. This experience reminds me of how blessed I am to have such a wonderful monastery to learn with other lay members and have the chance to help people.（我在演講中告訴聽眾，只要營養調配得宜，人生的任何階段都可以吃素。聽眾們都非常友善、專注，想從我提供的資訊中學習如何成為素食者。我感到自己實在很有福報，擁有這麼好的精舍環境，不但能與其他學員一同學佛，還能有機會為大眾服務。）