顏文華2024年11月8日線上講於休士頓

All buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Venerable Master, Dharma Masters, and all good knowing advisors. Amituofo!

My name is Lisa Tran and my Dharma name is Chin Chuan. I was invited today to share my experience after IGDVS and my connection to the Dharma.

I came to the girls school in 2011 and graduated back in 2015. I am originally from Germany but currently live in Houston, Texas. If I say anything that is not according to the Dharma, I hope you can compassionately correct me. 

諸佛菩薩、宣公上人、各位法師、各位善知識，阿彌陀佛！我的名字是顏文華，法名親傳。今天應邀分享我在培德中學畢業後的經歷，以及和佛法的因緣。我在2011年進入培德中學女校就讀，並於2015年畢業。我原本來自德國，但目前住在美國德州的休士頓。如果我所說有任何不如法的地方，希望您能慈悲指正。

I would like to start off by sharing what brought me to the girls school and the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in the first place.

Growing up in Germany, I knew very little about Buddhism. However, my grandmother and aunt played pivotal roles in my journey and connection to the Dharma. Although they were devout Buddhists, they never imposed their beliefs on me. It wasn’t until my grandfather’s passing when I was nine that I first witnessed the entire family participating in Buddhist ceremonies and began to learn more about Buddhism.

首先，我想分享當初是怎麼進入女校念書，怎麼來到萬佛聖城。在德國成長的過程中，我對佛教所知甚少。然而，我的祖母和姑姑在我的人生旅程以及和佛法結緣中，起了關鍵作用。雖然她們是虔誠的佛教徒，但她們從未將信仰強加於我。直到我九歲時，祖父去世，我第一次見到全家參加佛教儀式，並開始了解更多關於佛教的知識。

Noticing my growing interest, my aunt began taking me to several Buddhist summer camps in Germany. She discovered the Venerable Master through a friend and attended the Guan Yin Session at CTTB for the first time in March 2011. When she returned, she shared her profound experience, which sparked my curiosity to explore the Venerable Master’s teachings. We later learned that a DRBA delegation would be coming to Europe that same summer.

姑姑注意到我日益增長的興趣，她開始帶我參加德國的幾個佛教夏令營。她通過一個朋友得知上人，並於2011年3月首次參加了萬佛聖城的觀音法會。當她回來後，她分享了她深刻的體驗，這激發了我探索上人教誨的好奇心。我們後來得知，法界佛教總會將在同年夏天組成代表團到歐洲。

My aunt and I joined the delegation in France for a weeklong retreat, where I intended to take the Three Refuges and Five Precepts. Unfortunately, due to a planning error, we realized that the ceremony would be held on the last day of the retreat—the same day we were scheduled to return home. Disappointed at the thought of missing this opportunity, I prayed each night after the assembly left the Buddha Hall to Guan Yin Bodhisattva and the Venerable Master, asking for guidance so that I could participate in the ceremony. My aunt mentioned that anyone who wanted to become the Venerable Master’s disciple should complete 10,000 bows. I promised the Venerable Master that I was committed to completing the bows. By the end of the delegation, we managed to extend our stay, allowing me to take the Three Refuges and Five Precepts. Not only that, but my mother, sister, cousin, and uncle also were able to join us on the last day to take the Three Refuges.

我和姑姑在法國加入代表團，參加了一周的打七。我本打算受三皈依和五戒，不巧的是，由於事前計劃不周，我們發現三皈五戒儀式將在打七的最後一天舉行——也就是我們原訂返家的同一天。想到可能會錯過這次機會，我感到很失望。在每晚法會結束後，我都向觀音菩薩和上人祈求，希望能夠參加三皈五戒儀式。姑姑提到任何想成為上人弟子的人，都應該完成一萬拜。我向上人承諾自己會完成這一萬拜。最終，我們設法延長了停留時間，讓我得以參加三皈五戒。不僅如此，我的母親、妹妹、堂弟和叔叔也在最後一天加入了我們，一同受了三皈依。

Throughout the retreat, I was deeply moved by the dedication of everyone involved, from the young to the elderly, in bringing the delegation to fruition. Some students shared their experiences and reflections, though at the time, I had no idea it was an international school. One day, a Dharma Master asked if I was interested in attending the girls’ school. I naïvely thought the journey would be easy and that my parents would readily agree to me going halfway across the world, which of course they did not.

在整個打七期間，我被所有參與者的奉獻精神深深感動。從年輕人到老年人，都在為代表團的成功而努力。一些學生分享了他們的經歷和反思，當時我還不知道這（育良培德中小學）是所國際學校。一天，一位法師問我是否有興趣進入女校就讀。我天真地認為，這段旅程會很容易，父母也會欣然同意我繞過半個地球去上學，事實上並非如此。

Returning home, I was filled with Dharma joy and began the 10,000 bows I had promised the Master. My family and mother, met my intention of enrolling in the girls’ school with a lot of pushback. At the time, I was quite stubborn and didn’t understand why my family met my wishes to come to CTTB with such resistance. I was only fifteen years old, wanting to go half way across the world to a place my parents had never been to. It shouldn’t have been a big deal, right? It wasn’t until after I graduated that I started to understand the concerns they had. Following the advice of a Dharma Master, I started reciting the Universal Door Chapter daily. This practice, combined with the bowing, grounded me and strengthened my resolve to attend the girls’ school and come to CTTB. 

回到家後，我法喜充滿，並開始履行我對上人的一萬拜承諾。我家人和母親對我想入學女校的念頭反應強烈。在那時，我很固執，不明白為何家人如此反對我去萬佛聖城的願望。我那時只有十五歲，想去一個父母從未去過的地方，這應該不是件大事，對吧？直到畢業後，我才開始理解他們的擔憂。當時遵循一位法師的建議，我開始每天誦《普門品》。這一習慣結合拜佛，使我堅定了入學女校和來到萬佛聖城的決心。

Within two months of the delegation, I arrived at CTTB and actually completed my 10,000 bows at the Buddha Hall in the girls’ dorm. The challenges I faced in getting here deepened my faith in the Dharma and my appreciation for my time as a student. Being a student at IGDVS and living in the dorms was far from easy. I often felt homesick and worried about my grandmother while having to adjust to a new environment and learning everything in a new language.

在代表團離開歐洲兩個月後，我來到了萬佛聖城，並在女生宿舍的小佛堂完成了一萬拜。在這段過程中，我對佛法的信仰加深，並珍惜自己的學生時光。作為育良培德中小學的學生，並住在宿舍並不容易。我經常想家，擔心祖母，同時還要適應新環境，並用新語言學習一切。

It was during this time that I developed strong communication and leadership skills, which have been central to my daily interactions and my approach in work. Living in CTTB, you really have nowhere to hide; you must face challenges head-on, whether in resolving disagreements with others or confronting personal struggles. I learned to handle uncomfortable situations, whether dealing with people from different beliefs, backgrounds, or having difficult conversations, both in my personal life and work environment.

在這段時間裡，我培養出強大的溝通和領導能力，這些能力在我日常互動和工作中，起著重要作用。生活在萬佛聖城，你真的無處可藏；你必須直接面對挑戰，無論是解決與他人的分歧，還是面對個人的糾結。我學會了處理不愉快的情況，無論是與不同信仰、背景的人交流，還是進行困難的對話，無論在個人生活還是工作環境中。

After graduating from IGDVS, I returned to Germany to care for my elderly grandmother and pursued a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in health. In 2018, a few months after my grandmother passed away, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I had to learn to balance schoolwork while caring for her. Her cancer diagnosis ultimately provided me with a sense of direction for my career. Caring for both my grandma and mom, was fulfilling because I felt the that I was repaying them for everything they had done for me up until this point. Many days though, it was physically and mentally demanding, and if I ever felt on the verge, I always remembered Venerable Master saying “Patience, patience, you got to have patience, do not get angry, suo po he.” This simple yet profound teaching has helped me to stay collected and keep my composure in many situations after I left CTTB. 

從培德中學畢業後，我回到德國，照顧年邁的祖母；並攻讀生物學學士學位，輔修健康。2018年，在祖母去世幾個月後，我的母親被診斷出患有癌症。我不得不學會在照顧她的同時，還要平衡學業。她的癌症診斷最終為我的職業生涯提供了方向。照顧祖母和母親，讓我感到很值得，因為我覺得這是在回報她們為我做的一切。然而，許多日子裡，這在身體和精神上都是一種考驗，如果我感到快要撐不住時，我總是記得上人說過的：「忍耐，忍耐，多多忍耐，不要生氣，娑婆訶。」這簡單而深刻的教誨，幫助我在離開萬佛聖城後，面對許多情況時，能夠保持冷靜鎮定。

After college, I worked in Research Data at a cancer research hospital, collecting data for Phase I clinical trials and working with patients diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The experience was tough, knowing that these trials were often a last hope for many of the patients. 

大學畢業後，我在一所癌症研究醫院的研究數據部門工作，收集一階臨床試驗的數據，並與被診斷為四期癌症的患者一起努力，為他們抗癌。知道這些試驗往往是許多患者的最後希望，這段經歷十分艱難。

Recently, I completed my degree in Medical Dosimetry and now work in radiation oncology, where I plan radiation treatments for cancer patients, including pediatric patients. This work has reinforced my understanding of life’s impermanence. Although working with cancer patients is challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding and inspiring. The resilience patients show, even when faced with the most difficult situations, has given me a deeper appreciation for people’s strength and adaptability.

最近，我完成了醫療劑量學學位，現在從事放射腫瘤學工作，負責計劃癌症患者的放射治療，包括兒科患者。這項工作進一步加深了我對生命無常的理解。雖然與癌症患者一起抗癌充滿挑戰，但也非常有意義且富有啟發性。患者在面對最困難的情況時所展示的韌性，讓我對人們的力量和適應能力有了更深的認識。

The values instilled in me during my time at IGDVS, such as filial piety, kindness, citizenship, trustworthiness, respect, fairness, integrity, and humility, continue to influence my daily interactions and work. As a medical Dosimetrist, for example, I work in a care team and of course not only have to respect the patient and their privacy but everyone on my team and their input. Moreover, patients are trusting me with their care every single day they step into the hospital, so I need to be able to admit if I made an error or have gaps in my understand, because if I make a mistake with the treatment of a patient, it could be detrimental to them. The core virtues are central to any line of work we do and in building meaningful relationships with everyone around us. 

培德中學在我身上灌輸的價值觀，如孝、仁、忠、信、禮、義、廉、恥，繼續影響著我每天的互動和工作。例如，身為醫療劑量師，我在一個護理團隊中工作，當然不僅要尊重患者及其隱私，還要尊重團隊中每個人的意見。此外，每天患者走進醫院時，都在信任我（制定的放射治療）來照顧他們，因此萬一我犯了錯，必須能夠承認自己犯錯或有理解上的不足，因為一旦我在患者治療中犯了錯誤，可能會對他們造成不利影響。核心美德（八德）對我們從事的任何工作，以及與周圍每個人建立有意義的關係，都是至關重要的。

This past year, I had the opportunity to move to the Bay Area for my clinical rotation at Stanford Health. Initially, I was hesitant, fearing the unknown and being away from family. However, my program director encouraged me, and for that, I am forever grateful. Without her push, I might not have reconnected with CTTB as I did over the past year. I met many new Dharma friends and connected with many old friends including my classmates from DVGS. 

過去一年，我有機會搬到舊金山灣區，在史丹福大學醫療中心進行臨床實習。最初，我對未知的事物感到猶豫，並且害怕遠離家人。然而，我的項目主管鼓勵了我，我永遠感激她。如果沒有她的鼓勵，我可能不會像過去一年那樣，再度回到萬佛聖城。我遇到了許多新的法友，並重新聯繫上許多舊識，包括培德中學女校的同班同學們。

Initially, I planned to return to Houston after completing my clinical rotations. I was anxious, as the job market for Medical Dosimetrists in Houston can be highly competitive. However, as I spent more time in the Bay Area, attending sessions at CTTB and spending time with friends, I became more comfortable with the idea of staying. I learned to trust the process and accept that if the right conditions arose, I would be where I was meant to be. This shift in perspective allowed me to approach job interviews with a sense of calmness, and in the end to a job offer from my top choice. From this experience, I learned that letting go of attachment to specific outcomes can lead to unexpected opportunities. 

一開始，我計劃在完成臨床實習後返回休士頓。我當時感到焦慮，因為休士頓的醫療劑量師的就業市場競爭十分激烈。然而，隨著我在舊金山灣區度過更多時間，參加萬佛聖城的法會並與朋友們相處，我變得更加適應留下來的想法。我學會了信任過程，並接受如果條件合適，我將會在應該在的地方。這種觀點的轉變，使我能夠以平靜的心態參加工作面試，最終獲得了我首選的工作機會。從這次經歷中，我學到放下對特定結果的執著，可以帶來意想不到的機會。

Over the past year, I have learned to live with greater intention, moving away from anxiety about the future. Reconnecting with the Dharma has deepened my spiritual awareness and allowed me to apply that awareness in my work, particularly in creating cancer treatments. I now approach each treatment with mindfulness and empathy, recognizing that many patients are experiencing immense stress and are at one of the lowest points in their lives. By offering compassion and support, whether spiritual or physical, I can help brighten their day during their time in the clinic. Thanks to IGDVS and CTTB, I have been able to provide care with greater empathy.

過去一年，我學會了更有意識地生活，不再為未來感到焦慮。重新接觸佛法，讓我在精神層次上，有更深刻的體會，並能夠將這種體會應用到我的工作中，特別是在制定癌症治療方案時。我現在以正念和同理心來處理每一個治療方案，認識到許多患者正經歷著巨大的壓力，處於他們人生的最低谷之一。無論在精神上還是在色身方面，我能在他們進診所時，提供慈悲和支持，幫助他們積極度過這一天。感謝培德中學和萬佛聖城，我能夠以更大的同理心照顧患者。

In one of our classes at DVGS, we were asked to write about someone we wished to meet, whether alive or not, and why. I remember writing about wanting to bring my grandmother and mother to CTTB to meet the Venerable Master. I hoped my family could experience the impact of attending a Dharma session and the profound nature of the Master’s teachings. While my mother never visited CTTB when I was a student, she finally made her first visit this summer. Although I was unable to take my grandmother to CTTB, my family and I participated in the precepts for the deceased ceremony for her. 

有一次，在培德中學的課上，老師要求我們寫下我們希望見到的人，無論他們在世還是已經往生，並且要寫下為什麼想見這個人。我記得我寫的是，想帶我的祖母和母親來萬佛聖城拜見上人。我希望我的家人能體驗參加法會的影響，以及上人教誨的深遠意義。雖然我在這裡上學時，母親從未來過萬佛聖城，但她今年夏天終於第一次成行，來到萬佛聖城。儘管我沒能帶祖母來萬佛聖城，但我和家人參加了幽冥戒法會，為祖母受了幽冥戒。

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that the challenges I faced trying to come to CTTB strengthened my faith in the Buddha’s teachings. I also learned that I cannot force my family to share my beliefs; I can only continue to hold onto my own values and trust that, when the causes and conditions are right, they too may turn to the Dharma.

回首來時路，我意識到，當年為了來萬佛聖城所遭遇的種種挑戰，加強了我對佛法的信心。我還學到，我不能強迫家人分享我的信仰；我只能繼續堅持自己的價值觀，相信當因緣成熟時，他們也可能會轉向佛法。

Thank you for the opportunity to tie dharma affinities with everyone here today. Amituofo!

感謝今天有機會與大家結法緣。阿彌陀佛！