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法界佛教總會第八屆敬老節活動自一九九九年十月份起在各分支道場陸續舉行，為所有參加敬老節的老人家在秋涼時節平添無限溫馨，更令大家感念上宣下化老和尚生前力倡「敬老節」的深意。
華嚴聖寺
在一個星期的梁皇寶懺之後，加拿大卡加利的華嚴聖寺於十月三日率先舉辦敬老節活動，有三百多人應邀參加。華嚴聖寺附設中文學校的學生表演了一段警世話劇，意在提醒大家：我們如何對待老人，將來我們的下一代或年輕一輩便如何對待我們。這齣警世話劇取材自香港發生的真實事件：遺棄父親的一對夫妻駭然發現自己的孩子正有意摹仿他們的遺棄之舉，因而真心悔改。華嚴聖寺的護法居士特地為老人準備了禮品與抽獎獎品，讓老人過節過得更開心。
法界聖城
緊臨加州首府沙加緬度的法界聖城，也於十月三日一早就敞開大門，歡迎二百多位來賓。在寫著「夕陽無限好，美景在黃昏」的會場，大家歡聚一堂，共享老人家的智慧。每一位老人都應邀發言，許多老人家都說：「我今天好高興！」一位八十九歲的老太太還高興得流下眼淚。
目前在戴維斯的加州大學做研究的文教授高齡七十有餘，來自中國，是南京大學退休教授。他特別引用幽默大師林語堂的話：「老人之所以寶貴，並不是在於他的學識或人生經驗，而是經過了人生的種種困苦及天災人禍戰亂的蹂躪，卻依然勇敢地，安然地活下來，光是「老」已經足夠大家來對他們尊敬的了。」高壽一百的呂老先生在法界聖城的敬老節午齋中代表長者們切下鋪寫松柏長青的大素糕。大家在誠心禮讚與祝福的同時，也祈願普天下的老人家都能分享此刻的歡樂。
華嚴精舍
位於美東馬里蘭州的華嚴精舍，也在十月三日邀請了約五十位老人家來歡慶敬老節，其中約有一半並非佛教徒。當義工為他們在胸前別上胸花之後，個個顯得精神奕奕，歡喜慈祥。
上午八時半，首先由法師帶領大家恭誦《父母恩重難報經》，接著便是同樂會的節目表演，華嚴精舍附設的中文學校學生表演了許多精采的節目。國劇名師黃老先生更親自下場演出「天官加壽」與「孫悟空蟠桃敬老」，博得滿堂采。
午齋時華嚴精舍的青年居士帶領學生們為老人家殷勤佈菜端湯，更以自製的精美素點心致贈老人家，讓老人們齒頰留香，甜在心頭。
萬佛聖城
位於北加州達摩鎮的萬佛聖城則選在十月十七日（農曆九九重陽節）這天舉行敬老節，約有兩百位來賓參加。萬佛聖城附設育良小學與培德中學學生很週到地迎接老人步出車門，對於行動不便的老人更細心護送他們進入會場。
萬佛聖城中、小學生的演出包括合唱、國樂演奏，女校的山地舞、宮廷舞，與男校的舞獅等。女校學生並在優美的合唱聲中，致贈每位老人紀念品，帶給老人們一份驚喜。美籍老人鮑伯•斯隆和汪達•斯隆（Bob & Wanda Sloan在敬老節後，特地寫信到萬佛聖城，表達對敬老活動的由衷感謝。另一位來賓東尼•杜安（Toni Duan）更盛讚同學們的演出令他十分開懷。
金佛聖寺
同樣在重陽節這天舉行敬老活動的是位於加拿大溫哥華的金佛聖寺。這裡的耆老們歷年來對金佛聖寺的「敬老節」都反應熱烈，踴躍參與，一年比一年人多。今年有五百卅位來賓，可謂盛況空前。
慶祝活動在唱誦觀音讚與觀音菩薩聖號中展開，不但為老人家祈福，也為世界各地消災免難。金佛寺育良中文學校同學表演多項節目，慈濟功德會溫哥華分會，高貴林湖畔太極拳會及高貴林青年樂團也贊助演出。老人家們觀賞之後表示學佛的人唱歌真好聽。豐富的節目與抽獎活動穿插進行了兩個半小時，嘉賓們在可口的午齋之後，於下午一時許離去，迴響在耳際的仍是觀音菩薩聖號的祝福聲。
金聖寺
座落在聖荷西山丘上，俯瞰矽谷的金聖寺，今年在十月卅一日邀請到近兩百位來賓上山同慶敬老節。矽谷地區原本就人才濟濟，辦活動時各路高手紛紛大展身手。老年嘉賓欣賞到南灣國樂團、童軍表演、帶動唱等節目，個個笑逐顏開。
一百零一歲的吳老太太暢談她的長壽秘訣是：早起、念佛、誦經、打坐、散步、保持心情開朗，數十年如一日。在矽谷行醫的吳果忠為老人們示範頸肩保健運動，一位中醫，也為大家介紹活絡氣血的要點。老人們在備受關懷的歡樂氣氛中揮手惜別，相約明年再來。
金峰聖寺
位於西雅圖的金峰聖寺也在十月卅一日慶祝敬老節，上午首先同誦《父母恩重難報經》，午齋後展開康樂活動。表演節目全由老人們一手包辦，自演自唱、自娛娛人。有胡琴演奏、蓮花舞、體操表演以及高歌《彌陀讚》、《吉祥偈》等，中間並穿插抽獎節目。兩百多位老人在秋色宜人的西雅圖歡聚在金峰聖寺，開心地度過這個屬於他們的節日。
金輪聖寺
位於洛杉磯市區的金輪聖寺則在十一月七日邀請到兩百多位嘉賓共度敬老節。金輪聖寺合唱團與長堤童子軍分別以精采的節目向老人家慶賀佳節，接著由金輪聖寺育良中文學校的小朋友表演天真無邪的唱遊節目，並有居士演奏琵琶助興，博得與會老人熱烈的掌聲。一個半鐘頭的「樂話當年」座談會由老人家輪流想當年，暢談各人的學佛經驗，接著所有與會大眾在金輪聖寺共進素齋，並致贈壽桃、營養麥片與老人家結緣。
金山聖寺
地處舊金山中國城內的金山聖寺於十一月十三日舉行敬老節。今年金山聖寺有項特別節目就是老人背經表演，包括背誦《阿彌陀經》、《普門品》和《心經》，分別以中文、越南文和粵語背誦，還有一位六十多歲的白秀雲居士背誦《地藏經》。金山聖寺更邀請了著名中醫師梁清湖先生主講老人保健。接著金山聖寺以楞嚴咒項鍊、萬佛聖城的核桃等禮品送給嘉賓留念回味。
臺北法界印經會
臺北法界佛教印經會自「九二一大地震」後，每天的法會功德都不斷迴向給地震受難者。原訂十一月七日舉行的敬老節，當天恰逢藥師佛聖誕，因此改為舉行「藥師懺法會」，功德迴向普天下的老人家耆年壽考，福慧雙圓。當天參加臺北法界「藥師懺法會」的老人都獲贈念佛機與手珠，以示慶賀敬老節。
法界佛教總會各分支道場今年的敬老節活動已圓滿落幕，但是天底下仍有許多老人家尚在煩惱中度日。法總創辦人上宣下化老和尚生前曾教導老人自處之道是不要生氣。上人認為想要福壽綿長的秘訣是：「若想長壽並不難，兩字必須記心間，「忍」字應是無價寶，人若能忍心自安。其次「氣」字比較難，要想不氣非等閒，只須心寬勿自憐。如以兩字常警惕，保你健康長壽快活幸福似神仙。」
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The Eighth Annual Honoring Elders Day was celebrated in October at the various branches of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association, warming the hearts of all the elders in attendance during the chilly autumn, reminding everyone of the profound meaning behind the Venerable Master Hua's strong advocacy of Honoring Elders Day.
Avatamsaka Monastery
On October 3, at the completion of a weeklong Repentance of Emperor of Liang, Avatamsaka Monastery in Calgary was the first to celebrate Honoring Elders Day. Over three hundred people participated. The students of the Chines school at Avatamsaka Monastery performed a skit with a cautionary message:
However we treat our elders now, we will be treated the same way by the next generation. The skit was based on a true story of a couple in Hong Kong who had abandoned their parents, but who repented when they discovered that their own children were planning to abandon them as well. The lay Dharma protectors prepared special gifts and raffle prizes for the elders, making it an enjoyable occasion for them.
City of the Dharma Realm
The City of the Dharma Realm in Sacramento, capital of California, also swung its gates wide open on October 3rd to welcome two hundred some guests. Under banners proclaiming, "The evening of life is the finest time; the most beautiful scenes are at twilight," everyone gathered together to enjoy the wisdom of the elders. Each senior was invited to speak, and many exclaimed, "This is such a happy day for me!" One woman of eighty-nine even shed tears of joy.
Professor Wen, currently doing research at University of California in Davis, is in his seventies and is a retired professor from Nanjing University in China.
Professor Wen quoted a line by humorist Yu-tang Lin: "People honor elders not for their erudition or their experiencein life, but for having courageously survived the torture of life's difficulties—wars, natural disasters, and man-made calamities. The simple fact of being `old' is enough for people to respect elders."
The elder Mr. Lu, 100 years old, represented all the elders in cutting a huge cake written with the words, "Evergreen like the pine and cedar." While praising these elders and wishing them well, everyone also prayed that all elders in the world could enjoy such moments of happiness.
Avatamsaka Hermitage
Avatamsaka Hermitage in Maryland invited about fifty seniors to celebrate Honoring Elders Day, half of which were not Buddhists. With corsages pinned on their lapels by volunteers, each elder beamed with joy. The celebration began at 8:30 in the morning with
the recitation of the Sutra of the Difficulty of Repaying Our Parents' Kindness, followed by performances. The students of Avatamsaka Hermitage's Chinese school gave several fine performances. Mr. Huang, renowned for Chinese opera, gave exciting performances of "The Celestial Official Increases Life Span" and "A Monkey Named Sun Offers a Peach to Honor Elders."
At lunchtime, the younger laity led the students in serving the seniors, also presenting elders with home-made desserts, causing the seniors to smile continuously and feel warm at heart.
The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, in Talmage, northern California, chose to celebrate Honoring Elders Day on October 17 (the 9th of the ninth lunar month). About two hundred guests came, and students of Instilling Goodness Elementary School and Developing Virtue Secondary School escorted the seniors from their cars into the performance hall.
The elementary and high school students sang songs. The Chinese orchestra gave a concert. The girls performed a Chinese folk dance and a court dance, and the boys performed the lion dance. As they sang, members of the girls' choir presented each senior with a gift. One American couple, Bob and Wanda Sloan, wrote a card expressing their heartfelt appreciation to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas for organizing the event. Another guest, Toni Duan, praised the students for their delightful performances.
Gold Buddha Monastery
On the same day, October 17, Gold Buddha Monastery in Vancouver, Canada held their Honoring Elders Day celebration. The seniors in Vancouver love this celebration, and each year attendance grows. This year an unprecedented 530 guests came.
The program opened with the Praise to Guanyin and recitation of Guanyin Bodhisattva's name, for the sake of blessing the elders and praying to avert disasters around the world. In addition to various performances by the students of Instilling Goodness Chinese School at Gold Buddha Monastery, the Vancouver branch of Tzu-Chi Charity Foundation, the Gaoguilin Lakeside Tai-chi Association, and the Gaoguilin Lakeside Youth Group of also performed. The seniors' reflection was: Buddhists sing beautifully! The numerous performances and the raffle lasted two and a half hours. The guests departed at one o'clock after a sumptuous lunch, with the sounds of Guanyin Bodhisattva's holy name still reverberating in their ears.
Gold Sage Monastery
Nearly two hundred guests responded to the invitation to the Honoring Elders Day celebration on October 31 at Gold Sage Monastery, situated on a hill in Silicon Valley, San Jose. Silicon Valley is known for the numerous talents of its residents, and these talents were exhibited in the celebration.The seniors enjoyed performances by the South Bay Chinese Orchestra and the Boy Scouts, and participated in a sing-along. These activities brought smiles to the faces of all those present.
One-hundred-and-one-year-old Ms. Wu shared her secret to longevity: every day for several decades she has risen early, recited the Buddha’s name, chanted Sutras, meditated, taken a walk, and maintained a cheerful spirit. Dr. Wu, a practicing physician in Silicon Valley, showed the elders some exercises for their neck and shoulders. Another Chinese doctor explained the essentials of good blood and energy circulation. The elders felt the care and concern extended toward them and departed in a happy mood, promising to return the following year.
Gold Summit Monastery
Gold Summit Monastery is Seattle celebrated Honoring Elders Day on October 31. The morning program consisted of recitation of the
Sutra of the Difficulty of Repaying Parents' Kindness. After lunch, there were healthy and entertaining activities. The elders performed everything themselves, acting and singing for their own enjoyment. They performed the
hu qin (Chinese violin), the lotus flower dance, gymnastics, and choral singing of the Amitabha Praise, the Verse of Auspiciousness, and so on.. There was also a raffle. Over two hundred elders gathered at Gold Summit Monastery this colorful autumn is Seattle to celebrate this happy occasion belonging just to them.
Gold Wheel Monastery
Over two hundred seniors celebrated Honoring Elders Day on November 7 at Gold Wheel Monastery in Los Angeles. Excellent performances by Gold Wheel Monastery’s Choir and Long Beach Boy Scouts were followed by a cute musical skit by Gold Wheel Monastery’s Instilling Goodness Chinese School students. A pipa concert given by the laity won enthusiastic applause from the seniors. During a one and a half hour forum entitled “Reflections on Years Past,” the elders took turns relating their personal experiences in learning Buddhism. Then everyone partook of a vegetarian luncheon, and “longevity peaches” and nutria-meal packets were distributed to the seniors as gifts.
Gold Mountain Monastery
Gold Mountain Monastery, situated in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, celebrated Honoring Elders Day on November 13. This year the program included a special performance: the elders recited various Sutras by heart, including
Amitabha Sutra, the Universal Door Chapter, and the
Heart Sutra. They recited in Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese, and Cantonese. Upasika Bai Xiu-yun, who is in her sixties, even recited the
Earth Store Sutra by heart.
Renowned Chinese doctor Mr. Liang Ching-hu was invited to speak on fitness for seniors. Then the elders received souvenirs from Gold Mountain Monastery, including Shurangama Mantra necklaces and walnuts from the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
Dharma Realm Buddhist Books Distribution Association Taipei, Taiwan
Ever since the huge earthquake on September 21, DRBBDA in Taipei has held daily Dharma assemblies, transferring merit to earthquake victims. The original date set for Honoring Elders Day, November 7, coincided with the Anniversary of Medicine Master Buddha. Consequently, a Medicine Master Repentance Dharma Assembly was held at DRBBDA, with its merit dedicated to all the elders in the world, wishing them long life and perfect blessings and wisdom. The seniors who participated in that Dharma assembly received tape-machines playing the Buddha's name and rosaries as part of the celebration of Honoring Elders Day.
The various branch temples of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association (DRBA) have all finished celebrating Honoring Elders Day, yet there are still many, many elders in the world who are miserable. Venerable Master Hua, founder of DRBA, taught elderly people the importance of not getting angry.
The Master told them the key to longevity: "If you want to live long, it's not hard. You must always remember two words. 'Patience' is a priceless treasure. People who are patient are naturally at ease. 'Temper' is more difficult. Not losing one's temper is no easy task, but it can be done by keeping a broad outlook and avoiding self-pity. By always remembering these two words, you are guaranteed health, longevity, and blessings equal to the immortals."
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