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法界佛教總會•育良小學•培德中學

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愉快的聖城之旅

◎ 劉無塵　中／英
 

編按：劉無塵（Frank Liu），十四歲，就讀於馬利蘭州Wootton High School 以及華嚴精舍的週日佛學班。無塵和弟弟無為從小就跟著爸爸媽媽一起到廟上參加法會，學習佛法，現在兄弟倆已經會背誦許多經咒，例如《普門品》、〈大悲咒〉、〈楞嚴咒〉等。無塵在中文學校教書的爸爸也教導他背誦《大學》、《三字經》、《弟子規》、《朱子治家格言》等國學讀物，使得他的中文基礎更為深厚。現在在媽媽的指導下，無塵也學會製作網頁，他可是法總中文網站年紀最輕的義工喔！在此邀請讀者分享他今年暑假聖城之旅的心得。

今年夏天，因為我的爸爸媽媽要去萬佛城求受菩薩戒，我和弟弟就隨同前往。六月二十三號我們全家登上美國聯合航空公司的航班，從東岸的杜樂斯國際機場飛到舊金山國際機場。從那裏，我們和另外三個阿姨共同租了一輛小麵包車（SIENNA VAN）一起前往萬佛城。 當經過金門大橋時，我和弟 弟都看到了那壯觀的大橋。

在萬佛城的期間，我除了照顧弟弟外，還參加了幾個法會。 比如說，六月二十四號，參加了萬佛城舉辦的　宣公上人涅槃十二週年紀念法會；我帶弟弟瞻仰了　上人的舍利，還參加了傳供。

在晚課時，我們念《阿彌陀經》或者《八十八佛》，然後我們做蒙山施食。等講法結束後，我們誦〈楞嚴咒心〉和迴向。最後，我看到兩位法師打鼓和敲鐘。我以前沒有見過，因為我們的佛堂（華嚴精舍）沒有這麼大的鼓和鐘。我還發現在這裏的唱誦是一天念英文，一天念中文。我喜歡英文的唱誦，雖然這對我是個全新的經歷。

在萬佛城我看到了很多美麗的孔雀，牠們不怕人。萬佛城也有一個池塘，我看到了很多魚，還有兩個烏龜，我喜歡餵牠們。我也去萬佛城的君康素食餐館，那裏的餃子很好吃！我還認識了兩個新朋友，他們很幫忙，比如說等我上供或者做晚課時，他們幫我照顧我的弟弟。在其他不上殿或是講法時， 我們小朋友在一起盡興地玩。

我覺得能去萬佛城是個很好的經歷。我原先以為萬佛城很像我經常去的佛堂，可是到了萬佛城才發現比我們的佛堂大很多，有點神秘莫測。比如說，我從來沒參加過英文的法會，還有那個暮鼓晨鐘，很好聽。希望有機會能再去萬佛城！

A Pleasant Trip to the
City of Ten Thousand Buddhas

◎Frank Liu

 

Editor’s note:
Frank Liu, age 14, is at student at the Wootton High School located in Maryland and attends Sunday School at the Avatamsaka Vihara in Bethesda, Maryland.

From the time Frank and his little brother were young, they followed their parents to the temple to attend Buddhist ceremonies and learn Buddhism. They have learned to recite from memory many sutras and mantras, such as the Gwan-Yin Bodhisattva’s Universal Door Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, the Great Compassion Mantra, and the Shurangama Mantra. Under the direction of his father, who is a Chinese teacher, Frank has also learned to recite the Great Learning, Characters Classic, Standards for Students, Family Rules of Zhucian's, and other Chinese classic texts, increasing and refining his level of understanding, reading, and writing Chinese.

Under the direction of his mother, Frank has also learned how to create web pages. He is now currently the youngest volunteer working on this website. Now we invite you to share in his insights and experiences from his summer journey to CTTB.

This summer, my parents wanted to take the Bodhisattva Precepts. My little brother and I had to follow them since there was no one at home. Besides, I was curious about how the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB) was going to be like. So, on June 23rd , my family took United Airlines from Dulles International to San Francisco International Airport to go to CTTB. From there, we were joined by three other laywomen that came from our temple back in Maryland. We also were able to rent a car until June 30th . As we went to CTTB, we crossed the famous Golden Gate Bridge. I think that bridge was wonderful.

During the time I visited CTTB, I participated in several ceremonies. For example, on June 24th there was a memorial ceremony of Venerable Master Hua's entering into Nirvana for 12 years. During that ceremony, the assembly walked to the building where I saw the Venerable Master Hua's shira. Also during the meal offering, we did the Passing the Meal.

Another ceremony was the evening recitation. We either recited the Amitabha Sutra or the Eighty-Eight Buddha Repentance. Then, the assembly did Meng Shang Meal Offering ceremony. When the Dharma talk finished, we recited the Heart of Shuramghama Mantra and transferred merit. After that, there are two Dharma Masters hitting the drum and the bell. I never knew that since our temple (Avatamsaka Vihara) does not have the drum and bell of that size. I also found out that they recite English version one day and recite the Chinese version the other day. I enjoyed the English reciting even though it is new for me.

At CTTB I saw so many peacocks and they were not afraid of people. There is also a pond for the fish and the turtles. I had a great time feeding the little fish. Also, the Jyun Kang vegetarian restaurant was a great place to eat. Their dumplings were so delicious. I also made some new friends at the city. They were really helpful. For example, one of them was able to take care of my little brother when I was doing the meal offering or the evening recitation. I played with them before evening recitation and during the Dharma talks.

I felt that this trip to CTTB was wonderful since it is such a nice place. I first thought that CTTB was just another temple like the one I usually go. But, I found out that CTTB is much larger, a lot different and a lot mystical. I never did the recitation in English before. I always used Chinese. Also, the drum and the bell in the evening was wonderful. I hope I have a chance to go to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas again.

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