《以愛與信念點亮心燈》溫哥華道務中心清奈開荒旅程側記

開荒之旅 洋溢法喜
2022年底，房點傳師開設了清奈Chandrasekaran佛堂。2024年11月27日至12月9日，此次在點傳師的帶領下，我們一行六位講師展開了第三次南印度清奈的開荒之旅。這十二天的行程充滿挑戰，但更是滿載法喜與感恩，見證了天命的尊貴。

誦經祈福 化解病苦
11月28日，Yash講師的母親因右膝人工關節手術後復原中，又因尾椎骨刺而只能坐在床上，無法躺著，忍受著疼痛及失眠的苦楚。房點傳師帶領大家每日誦經迴向，祈求上天減輕她的病苦，也為眾生祈福，期盼人間苦難得以減輕。坤道講師們更善用上清茶噴霧，為她按摩，減輕疼痛。這份關懷，不僅傳遞了天恩師德，更帶來了希望與信心。

風雨無阻 全力以赴
這幾天清奈風雨不斷，停電成為常態，但道務推廣的熱忱絲毫不減。由於天公不作美，一行人只能在佛堂鄰近地方走訪，內心祈禱著上天慈悲撥轉。果然上天慈悲，走訪的路上遇到了一對10來歲的鄰居女童帶我們去她們家，隔壁的嬸嬸Nandhini熱情的邀大家進去。此引線帶著我們認識了這個和善的大家庭。11月30日，這八位鄰居和Chandrasekaran壇主孫子在停電的佛堂求道，聆聽三寶後鄰居法喜充滿，臨行前帶著孩子向點傳師行禮，展現深深的敬意。

然而當地物資匱乏，辦道時燈芯與油料的問題一度造成困擾，佛燈數次熄滅。在幾經嘗試後，改用精煉植物油搭配台灣燈芯，終於解決問題，佛堂煥然一新。這些挑戰提醒我們，開荒路上，需要更多的智慧與彈性來克服環境的限制，更要有越挫越勇，堅持到底的決心。

積極成全 廣結善緣
點傳師慈悲此行的重點，在於成全來日可一同護持佛堂和學習幫辦的道親，並叩求老師撥轉具英文溝通能力的人才。感謝仙佛慈悲，此行接觸了多位高教育程度和高英語溝通能力的青年前賢，實屬當地永續發展的希望。12月4日，雖然車程顛簸且漫長，但我們拜訪幾位遠親，解說道義，並獲得認同。其中一位化學碩士媳婦Monisha老師佛緣深厚，對道義深表贊同，甚至聽說過老子與孔子，但因交通限制，無法即刻求道。我們鼓勵她參加線上新民班，並約定未來再續善緣。

班程複習 用心學習
12月8日，Monisha與婆婆驚喜現身，克服距離與交通的困難，從清晨便出發趕來佛堂參加複習班。點傳師慈悲規劃複習班重點，在Yash講師的翻譯下，向與會者闡述了道之尊貴、道脈傳承、修持理念與健康生活的重要性，在午餐過後，Yash講師帶領大家真人靜坐。此行共25位前賢求道，40餘人參加複習班，為當地播下了希望的種子。

慈善公益 讓愛傳遞
臨行前，我們帶領道親拜訪並捐助了當地一家專注於照顧智力障礙孤兒的慈善機構—Sri Arunodayam。雖然孩子們面臨智力上的挑戰，但他們對生命的熱情與純真的笑容令人動容。那一雙雙真摯的眼神和熱情的歡迎，深深觸動了我們的心，讓人不禁潸然淚下。我們衷心期盼，愛的力量能夠傳遍每個角落，願眾生離苦得樂，皆有所依，皆有所愛。

巍巍天恩 造福蒼生
清奈的開荒旅程讓我們深刻體會，天恩師德無所不在，但前路漫漫，需要更多的努力與付出。我們一年只能來一次，卻希望能帶來持續的影響。因此，我們致力於培養在地道親，希望能繼續找到有心、有力的原佛子地，接續佛堂的運作，讓道務薪火相傳。

印度道親的樸實與善良讓我們倍受感動，即使生活艱苦，他們的熱情依然絲毫不減。這份純真讓我們明白，開荒不僅是傳遞道義，更是傳遞關懷與希望。在此，感謝天恩師德與仙佛的撥轉，願清奈的道務如蓮花初綻，綻放光明與芬芳。並祈願人人法喜充滿、身體安康、道務鴻展。

The Journey of Tao Propagation in Chennai: Illuminating the Path with Faith and Love
In late 2022, Master Fang established the Chandrasekaran temple in Chennai. From November 27 to December 9, 2024, six lecturers, under his guidance, embarked on their third Tao propagation journey to southern India. These twelve days were marked by challenges, gratitude, and Dharma joy, witnessing the sanctity of this divine Heavenly Decree.

Chanting Sutras to Ease Suffering
On November 28, Lecturer Yash’s mother, recovering from knee surgery and suffering from tailbone pain, endured sleeplessness and discomfort. Master Fang led daily sutra chanting, dedicating merits to her recovery and praying for alleviation of worldly suffering. Compassionate care, including massages with sacred water spray, provided her relief and hope, embodying divine grace.

Undeterred by Adversities
Despite continuous rain and power outages, the team’s commitment to spreading the Great Tao remained steadfast. Our visits to nearby homes led to meaningful connections, including with the kind-hearted Venkat, Nandhini, and their family, who welcomed us with warmth and hospitality. On November 30, eight neighbors, along with the grandson of the temple owner Chandrasekaran, received Tao during a power outage. After listening to the Three Treasures, the neighbors were filled with joy. Before departing, they brought their children to bow to the Master, expressing deep respect.

The scarcity of local resources posed challenges during the Tao receiving ceremony, as issues with lamp wicks and oil caused the holy lamp to go out several times. After several attempts, the problem was resolved by using refined vegetable oil paired with Taiwanese wicks. These challenges reminded us that pioneering requires wisdom and adaptability to overcome environmental limitations, as well as resilience and determination to persevere through difficulties.

Nurturing Local Tao Members
Master Fang emphasized nurturing local Tao members who could support the temple and learn to assist in its operations in the future. He also prayed for the guidance of the Holy Teachers to connect with talents proficient in English communication.

With gratitude for Heaven's grace, this trip introduced us to several highly educated young Tao members with strong English skills, offering hope for sustainable development in the region.

On December 4, despite a bumpy and lengthy journey, we visited several distant relatives to share the principles of the Tao. Among them was Monisha, a chemistry graduate with a deep affinity. She expressed agreement with the teachings and was even familiar with Laozi and Confucius. However, due to transportation constraints, she could not immediately receive Tao. We encouraged her to join the online Tao classes to begin with.

Sharing the Dharma
On December 8, to our surprise, Monisha and her mother-in-law overcame challenges to attend the review class at the temple. Tao Master thoughtfully planned the focus of the review class. With Lecturer Yash's translation, he explained to the participants the preciousness of Tao, the Tao lineage, the principles of practicing Tao, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. After lunch, Yash led everyone in a seated true-self meditation. A total of 25 individuals received Tao during this trip, and over 40 people attended the review class, sowing seeds of hope in the local community.

Charity and Compassion
Before departing, we took Tao members Venkat, Nandhini, and their daughter to visit and donate to Sri Arunodayam, a local charity supporting abandoned children with intellectual disabilities. Although the children face great challenges, their passion for life and pure smiles were deeply moving. Their sincerity and warm welcome touched our hearts, bringing tears to our eyes. We hope that the power of love can spread to every corner, and may all beings be freed from suffering and find joy and support.

Conclusion
The genuineness and kindness of the Tao members deeply moved us. This purity reminded us that pioneering is not only about spreading the Tao but also about sharing love and hope.

We are grateful for Heaven's grace and the guidance of our Holy Teachers. May the Tao mission in Chennai bloom like a lotus, radiating light and fragrance. We pray that all beings are filled with joy and good health, and that the Tao mission continues to thrive and expand.

發一崇德溫哥華道務中心大事紀組 後學 房彤芸 敬上