文╱佛心寺提供

　　佛法的教育涵蓋了生活的各個層面，慈心護生更是重要的一環。為提倡素食文化，位於美國奧克拉荷馬州的分院佛心寺，於七月十日舉辦「二○一六佛心素食節」，邀請社區居民一同認識慈悲又智慧的飲食觀。

　　住持法師以「和諧世界，從飲食開始」為題，引導大眾認識保護生命的慈悲理念，以及素食對健康和地球永續發展的助益。「全素的訣竅」由禪修班學員與來賓分享，如何運用食材，打造出慈悲護生的飲食習慣。五場精彩的烹飪示範，介紹了東、西方的素食佳餚，讓人人都能輕鬆擁抱素食！

　　會場展示了三十道精心設計的國際美食，配合具有國家特色的擺飾，每一道都宛如藝術品，吸引了眾人的目光。午齋時間的國際素食饗宴，共有二十國以上的特色餐點，由當地餐廳及禪修班學員供養，色香味俱全，令來賓讚歎不已！

　　素食資訊展和影片欣賞，從營養學、環境保護及動物生存權利的觀點，提供不同面向的素食資訊及實用訊息。諮詢區讓來賓有機會與素食者交流，並解答相關疑問。親子區透過活潑的美勞、故事、瑜珈等活動，培養愛護動物的觀念。鼓勵來賓們嘗試健康、慈悲的飲食方式。

精美的素食展示，帶來愉悅的視覺體驗。

二十國以上的特色餐點，帶大眾暢遊豐富多變的素食國度。

歡喜發願「素素看」，愛護動物和地球！

　　當日有將近四百人參與，不僅將佛法慈悲、平等、智慧的種子散播到當地居民的心中，也開啟了與會者親近三寶的契機，是佛法生活化的具體展現。

活動心得

機動組組長╱士勇　This all could not have been accomplished without the guidance of Shifus as well as the diligent and tireless hard work of all volunteers. We were able to learn and grow in our Bodhisattva’s practice while accomplishing our mission to provide a joyful time for all participants.（如果沒有法師們的帶領和所有義工持續不懈地精進努力，無法達到這樣的成果；而我們也全力付出，在使人人盡興而歸的菩薩任務中學習與成長。）

照客組組長╱哈女　在素食節中，我必須招呼每一位訪客，不論認識與否，都要主動上前帶領。原本以為自己會不好意思面對陌生人，但是當人潮一波波湧入時，忽然覺得自己正處於重要的位置，扮演著布施善意的角色，因而生起勇氣和願心來服務大眾。感謝法師們交付的任務，讓我在護持他人的同時，也成就了個人的修行。

學員╱Sandy　When I realized how horrific the animals were treated in food industry, I became a pure vegan. My journey took a lot of transitioning, but it was very doable once I got the hang of it. Some people see my diet as being deprived. They think I have incredible will power to resist eating meat that they enjoy. But I don’t miss that food because it is not “food” to me. It is a living, breathing, beautiful, loving animal. I don’t feel deprived at all. I hope that my journey could have started earlier in my life.（當我體認到動物在食品工業中所受到的種種可怕待遇時，就決定成為一名全素者。我的茹素經歷包含許多調適的過程，然而一旦掌握訣竅，則全素飲食是完全可行的。有些人認為我被「剝奪」了部分飲食，有很強的意志力來抗拒肉類的食物。可是我不認為自己被剝奪或者錯過了任何食物，因為動物是美好和親愛的朋友、會呼吸的生命，不是食物。我但願自己能更早開始吃素。）

行堂組╱傳賢　This event gets better each year as it expands to reach and benefit more people. Preparing dishes before the event helps me to stay mindful and working at the event lets me see how wonderfully it is all received by new people. It is always a joy to volunteer and share time with Shifus and other practitioners lightens our spirit and energizes us.（素食節活動今年更加盛大、成功，利益了更多人。我在用齋前協助配膳和供齋事宜，這項坡務令我提起覺性、保持專注，我也在各處看到來賓歡喜地領受種種服務。在精舍和法師及其他修行人一同出坡，總是讓我得到精神上的鼓舞，充滿愉悅和活力。）

學員╱傳得　My mother’s family raised cattle, hogs, sheep, and chickens. My favorite thing was taking care of the animals. I didn’t understand how you could love those creatures, nurture them and then destroy them. Sixteen years ago I met a vegetarian and this was a life changing experience. I stopped eating meat and felt liberated from those buried thoughts of the dreaded harvest days on the farm. I suggested our guests that they should think about their eating habits and what has shaped them. Then be mindful about what they put in their mouth. A vegetarian diet is full of nutritious and delicious foods, like we were sharing at the Festival.（母親家裡飼養了牛、豬、羊和雞，小時候我最喜歡在牧場上照顧動物，可是我始終不明白為什麼有人能夠飼養、關心動物，最後卻將牠們的生命毀滅。十六年前一位素食者改變了我的人生。我停止吃肉，並且感到自己終於從過去牧場收穫季節的可怕記憶中解脫。我建議來賓們省思自己的飲食習慣和養成原因，然後對入口的食物審慎選擇。如同他們在素食節中所品嘗到的食物一樣，素食其實是富含營養和美味的。）


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