People who are most willing to give are the one with the most blessings

◎ Kristie Tompson

Thank you to the grace of heaven and virtue of predecessors for this opportunity to share my takeaways from the 2020 Community Children’s Sutra workshop in Michigan on February 4th-5th.

While sitting in the two-day workshop, I gained a greater understanding of the love and generosity this Tao community has, and that I am blessed to be welcomed by. I learned that our children are the greatest opportunity to open our hearts and share love.

How could I not be drawn to this bright light? I am a parent of two brilliant daughters, ages 5 and 2. They are the next generation. I was not raised with any knowledge of Tao. I had never even heard of the word until March 2018. As a child I was raised non-religious or spiritual with my sister by my beautiful mother, and father. He was an abusive man, and an alcoholic my entire life, until he passed last July. A childhood I vowed to learn from and use as a tool to expand my capacity for giving.

When I was invited to this workshop to be trained to teach Children’s Sutra, I was honored and so excited. Teacher Brenda and Teacher Sunny have taught my children with such kindness and impacted my whole family. It is a special moment we spend together in this busy time we’re in. A whole new experience and gift we never had until we came to the Michigan Zhong Shu Temple.

During this 2-day workshop, I was educated on the concept of children’s Sutra and classroom management. This is a wonderful class for our children to learn the teachings from our Saints and Sages. By giving ourselves to this opportunity, we are giving the students the ability to improve memorization skills and to learn new languages. To plant the seed during elite memorization times with Saints and Sages’ wisdom.

Teaching young children does not require a degree, or for us to be of a certain class, or age. It requires us to be their role models. Whether we help prepare the class, lead the class, or even pass out snacks, we all are important professionals leading the future. The students absorb information, skills, and happiness in many different ways. We can encourage students with a big smile and love. We can reward them for their positive attributes, and naturally other students will follow. The immediate reward of praise, or fun sticker can be felt within. Parents will see our open hearts and will hopefully cultivate their growing seed inside themselves too. Ultimately, to receive Tao. As Sutra teachers, we teach at the individual’s progress. We are amazing humans, not clones.

Just like Buddha’s big belly, long ears, and gracious smile; we too have the capacity to give, have longevity, and are lucky with Tao essence. The people who are most willing to give are the people with the most blessings. The power of love can be passed.

Tao has changed my life to where I feel reborn. Yet, I also feel my truest, simple self. Tao is not a widely known, or understood concept among the people I have relationships with. I have been lectured at times, and scolded for me and my family’s spiritual growth. But I can see the essence of Tao everywhere around me. I have become more patient, and remain calm rather than trying to take control. It is not mine to take control of. My three treasures are sacred and so important to me. I have an inner light glowing, and I plan to pass that along to anyone around me. We can all continue learn and grow, to benefit for the next generation.

I am thankful and blessed to have Temple, Dian Chuan Shi, Tan Chu and many Tao relatives to show me Tao.

能夠付出是最大的福報

◎ 中譯  陳碧峰

感謝　天恩師德，讓後學有機會參加今年（2020）2月4日至5日，在美國密西根州忠恕道院舉辦的社區親子讀經班師資培訓營，並分享心得及收穫。

在為期兩天的研討會中，後學更深入地了解道場中的愛和無私。後學非常幸運地受到所有道親的歡迎與接納，更體會到孩子能為我們打開心窗，提供我們分享大愛的機會。

後學怎能不被道場的亮光吸引住呢？後學的兩個女兒聰明活潑，一個5歲，一個2歲，她們都是下一代。其實後學一直到2018年3月求道時，才聽到「道」這個名詞，之前從沒聽說過。小時候，後學和姐姐由美麗的母親和父親撫養長大，沒有任何宗教或精神上的信仰。後學的父親因為不善處理情緒，在我的印象中他都在酗酒，直到去年的七月，父親過世了。後學發誓要從中學習，以父親為借鏡，希望自己能多奉獻給家人和社會。

當後學受邀來參加這個親子讀經班師資培訓營時，感到非常榮幸和興奮。過去將近兩年的時間，密西根忠恕道院讀經班的陳老師和黃老師善意地教導後學的兩個女兒，並影響了後學的整個家庭。這是後學在忙碌的生活中，非常特殊的時刻。也因為來到了密西根忠恕道院，後學全家才能得到道院所有道親們的鼓勵和指引。

在兩天的培訓營中，後學學習到兒童讀經的好處和課堂經營的概念。讀經對孩子來說，是一個很棒的課程，可以學習古聖先賢的教誨。讀經幫助孩子提高記憶力和學習新語言的能力，尤其在孩子記憶的黃金時段，種下聖賢智慧的種子。

教小孩子們不需要靠多高的學位，也不一定要特定的階層或年齡層，重要的是能成為他們的好榜樣。無論在課堂上是準備課程、帶領課程，甚至發點心，我們都扮演著很重要的角色，影響孩子的未來。孩子們吸收訊息、學習技能和感受幸福是多方面的，我們以笑和愛來鼓勵孩子，獎勵他們好的表現，這樣其他的孩子也會自然而然地起而效之。即時的誇獎或送上生動有趣的貼紙，孩子們的內心會有感受的。父母看到老師的無私，自己心中的種子也會期盼改變。最終，希望他們也都能求道。作為讀經老師，我們因材施教，因為每個生命都不同，有無限的可能與潛力。

就像彌勒祖師的圓圓大肚、長長耳垂和笑容滿面，我們亦有能力可以給與。（培訓營中，講師說：）能夠付出是最大福報！愛的力量是可以感染的！

「道」改變了我的生命，讓我重生；同時，也讓我找回了最真實、最簡單的自我。「道」並不廣為人知，包括我的父母及親戚，有時他們還會指責我們全家的修行，可是我仍然感受到身邊處處都有「道」。 修道後，後學變得更有耐心及平靜，而不再去掌控，因為控制權不在我。能求得三寶是如此神聖、如此重要！ 後學內在的自性光芒在增長，我有愿要將它傳遞給周圍的每一個人，共同學習和成長，以造福下一代。

最後，很感恩道場、點傳師、壇主及前賢們的以身示道。