中台朝聖殊勝行
文／美國佛寶寺研經班學員　法滌

　　若要將中台朝聖之旅的感想濃縮成隻字片語，實在是紙短意長，因為這是一個令人謙卑又讓人震撼之行，也是一次難忘難以磨滅的經歷。 此行自第一天起就處處充滿了驚喜，感恩住持見燈大和尚在海外茶會上提及，要尊重此生及多生的父母，要深信因果，護持中台道場，並且守護自己本具的清淨心。

　　許多印象歷歷在目。例如：令人驚歎的莊嚴佛像；蒼翠繁茂的鄉村景色坐落於樸實無華的群山及高大的棕櫚樹之中；無數莊嚴的道場高聳於稠密的林間，隨時提醒我們這個國度深深擁抱著「佛道」。無論是偶遇的蜥蜴、青蛙……都提醒著我們皆須以慈悲對待有情眾生；在初訪靈泉寺，開車經過令人屏息的山路時，也不禁讓人體會到開山祖師惟覺安公老和尚當初建靈泉寺的艱辛。非凡的普台教育，會讓我想再次回到童年，以享受他們的四國語言及音樂教育。

　　從台灣各種美味及豐盛的食物中，我嚐到了百香果、竹筍、剉冰等等，這些都是無上的福報，因為那是眾多無私的辛勞所成就，現在，在食用任何食物之前，我都不會忘記感恩來自大寮中諸多的奉獻。

　　此行以來，師父們的慈悲與寬容皆為我們作了最佳的典範，法滌永誌不忘。另外，也感恩中台所有師父們的熱誠招待及照顧，也聆聽了法音開示及悠揚梵唄，最大的高峰就是受持了三皈及五戒，榮幸自己有了法名——法滌，心中深深地感恩。

　　每日穿梭於中台各殿堂，讚歎它的莊嚴雄偉；參與中台世界博物館的落成開幕典禮中，沒有比這件事更令人雀喜的了；還有一些有趣的事，例如：參訪其他的分院；與來自全球的師兄弟們建立了法緣，真希望能再見到他們。

　　我們只是大世界中的一微塵，每日醒來都覺得像一場夢。在如此緊湊的行程中要完成許多事情實在不容易，要自己用手洗衣服，要適應高濕度的天氣，而從種種的小事當中也體會到這是一場謙卑的學習。在另一個的國度聽著陌生的語言，對我而言也是一種挑戰，但我已經準備學中文了。

　　以往我從不喝溫開水，而現在也體會到其無好壞，能有水喝就是一種福報。

　　非常感恩師父們在這趟旅程中給予我們的慈悲與寬容，太多不勝枚舉的事情，例如：帶我去診所就診；當我在朝山活動中大汗淋漓時，替我背著背包，而此朝山亦是一項不可思議的經驗。師父們總是為我們解疑，滿足我們的所需及排除我們的憂慮，「感恩」二字已無法表達於萬一。此刻如果我顯得太隨性或者有所疏漏，則深表歉意。我需要時間來細嚼此行所帶給自己的非凡意義。

　　希望明年能再度回到中台，因為這是我此生中最值得記憶、最有意義的旅程。最後以一顆最誠摯的心，感恩此次同行所有佛寶寺的成員。

(Trying to encapsulate this pilgrimage is too difficult for a few words. It is so humbling and overwhelming to experience a journey like this. And it is something that no one can ever take away from us.

　　This whole journey since Day One has been amazing. I appreciated when Venerable Master Jian Deng gave the Dharma and spoke of honoring our parents and the many parents of our past. And when he spoke of causality, protecting Chung Tai and our pure mind.

　　So many memories made on this trip; amazing Buddhist sculptures; lush countryside with austere mountains and lofty palms; ornate Buddhist temples resting grandly surrounded by dense trees remind us that this country embraces The Way; seeing the occasional lizard or frog – all sentient beings deserving compassion; the visits we’ve made including driving up that breath-taking road to Ling Quan to learn the fascinating beginnings of the Grand Master Wei Chueh; The extraordinary educational system of Pu Tai almost made me want to be a kid again – enjoying their foreign language and music departments.

　　Especially delicious lunch items… so much food! So many wonderful foods and dishes that are new to me, passion fruit, bamboo, shaved ice, foods particular to Taiwan… all the meals were such incredible blessings, especially considering all the selflessness and hard work that goes into putting them together. I won’t look at my meals again without being thankful since going into these kitchens, so much dedication.

　　I will never forget the kindness and generosity that you have shown us, you serve as good examples for us all. I enjoyed the compassionate welcome of so many shifus, hearing the Dharma, chantings, and another pinnacle highlight was taking the 3 refuges and 5 precepts. It’s an honor to have a Dharma name and I really appreciate mine.

　　Walking the halls through Chung Tai Chan Monastery every day was great – adoring it’s magnificence; being inside-guests during the opening of CT World Museum, it doesn’t get any cooler than that! And even small stops were fun, such as our branch in the middle of Taiwan, sweet fun! Getting to know our Dharma brothers from all over the world and creating friendships. I hope to see them again.

　　We were part of something much bigger than ourselves and every day waking up was like being in a dream. Yeah, some things were not easy like such a busy schedule; hand washing my clothes, the high humidity and those small things really were lessons in humility. Also being in a country whose language I didn’t understand was a challenge and I’m looking forward to learning Mandarin now.

　　I wasn’t extremely fond of drinking warm water at first but came to the realization that it’s neither a good nor bad thing, it just is and it’s a blessing to have any water at all.

　　Thank you so much for your grace and kindness during this journey (examples of which there are too many to mention include taking me to the clinic and taking care of my bag when I was sweating a storm on the mountain pilgrimage and Wow! that was an awesome experience too!)

　　Always answering our questions, tending to our needs and concerns. I can’t thank you enough. Sorry if I rambled too much and sorry for anything I may have left out. It will take time to realize the grandness of what this journey fully means. I hope to come back next year. This was the most memorable, meaningful trip of my life. Also what a blessing to share with all members of our BJM group.)