中台禅寺美国乔治亚州分院法宝寺，于四月十三日举办「二○一九法宝寺素食节」。活动除了有素食资讯展，更有禅修体验、健康讲座、国乐演奏、园游会、烹饪示范、国际美食、趣味闯关及抽奖，吸引近九百位当地居民热烈参与。
十三日上午，住持法师首先带领大众体验禅修，以心灵环保开启精彩的活动序曲；随后，导览义工从环保、营养及护生观点，介绍丰富的素食资讯展，鼓励来宾「一周一素」护生爱地球。今年特别设计的闯关活动，与会嘉宾皆跃跃欲试，更增欢乐气氛；而园游会深具东方特色的茶道、书法、串珠等摊位，备受青睐。此外，亦有寓教于乐的护生短剧、中医健康讲座与国乐表演，丰实的心灵飨宴，人人乐在其中。
中午十二时，色香味俱全的国际素食展正式开锣！由当地餐厅及禅修班学员供养一百二十道精致佳肴，囊括超过二十个国家的风味料理，东西方人士欢欣体验「慈悲无国界，护生茹素行」。一年一度的法宝寺素食节，最后在抽奖与合影中圆满落幕，大众感恩法喜，祈愿中台心法广流传！
活动心得
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| 法宝寺素食节以心灵环保──禅修体验，开启活动序曲。 |
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| 义工菩萨为大众导览丰富多元的素食资讯展。 |
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| 具东方特色的园游摊位，深受西方人士青睐。 |
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| 色香味俱全的国际素食展，吸引当地居民参与。 |
护法会会长╱传尊 活动中遇到一位不会做素菜的母亲，却想为吃素的爱女烹煮素食，当日她除了观摩烹饪示范、品尝佳肴，也报名夏季素食烹饪班。传尊深切体会到，法宝寺就像社会中的一方净土，提供禅修学习与净化心灵的各种活动，不仅义工们法喜充满，自己劝发他人吃素，也同感快乐！
谘询委员╱传道
Throughout the day, the volunteers were all very busy fulfilling their assigned duties, but everyone was very glad to contribute because the greatest gift was the opportunity to help the monastery and to cultivate our merits.（活动当天，义工们都在分配的组别发心，每个人都很高兴能贡献己力，因为在禅寺出坡、修福报就是最大的收获！）
花艺组组长╱传好
年初就开始筹备素食节，在法师们的指导下，大家努力合作，欢喜地圆满这次活动。从中除了借事练心，将平日所学付诸行动，也与大众广结善缘。活动虽然结束，期望大家继续吃素学佛、净化自心、净化地球。
司仪组╱Yoder, Chris
How better to suggest that all sentient beings are ultimately just like us than by presenting animals as having the same silly hopes, dreams and behaviors as we humans. After all, if animals can be like us, maybe they also yearn for happiness just like us. And maybe we should think carefully before we decide whether to kill them.（没有比透过扮演憨傻动物，更能适切表达一切含灵和人类一样，拥有相似的天真行为和梦想。如果动物真的像我们一样，它们也同样渴望快乐。因此，在决定杀生之前，我们应仔细思量。）
香积组干事╱慧嘉
I really felt like many of the attendees were very engaged and interested in vegetarianism. The Veggie Festival is not only an excellent way to promote vegetarianism, but also to raise the visibility of Buddhism and DJM in the Atlanta community.（我发觉许多居士非常投入，并对素食感到兴趣。举办素食节不仅是推广素食的绝佳方式，也提高佛教与法宝寺在亚特兰大的曝光度。）
英文初级禅修班学员╱Owen Cantrell
I am a vegetarian myself for health reasons, but now I better understand the ethical value of vegetarianism. It was also great fun to work alongside other volunteers to show attendees how great vegetarianism can be for them and our planet. I appreciate the opportunity to attend Veggie Festival and I am already looking forward to next year.（我原本为了健康而吃素，现在更了解吃素背后的道德价值。同时也很欢喜能和其他义工一起介绍素食对大众、对地球的好处。感恩有机会参与素食节，更期待明年素食节的到来。）
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