文：陳荃荃（培德女中10年級）　　中譯：蔡幸臻（培德女中11年級）

在人生中，我們會接觸到許多特別的人，那些人讓我們大開眼界，讓我們看到以往我們認為不存在或被隱蔽的人事物。然而能夠遇見可以改變我們一生的人，又是件多麼具有非凡意義的事啊！

當我們得知這些即將來訪的客人是小學生時，我們覺得好難得，同時也有一點訝異。在一月十六和十七日，我們班很榮幸的有機會和39位來自上海福山外國語小學的4年級學生互動及交流。因為福山國小推動體驗多元文化的課程，他們選擇來美遊學時， 行程中包括了參訪萬佛聖城的育良小學及培德中學。透過這兩天與孩子們相處的經驗，我從他們的身上得到了很多收穫，這些收穫是金錢無法買得到的。

一月十六號，禮拜一，我們花了一整個早上做最後準備，以確保一整天的行程都可以很順利。我因為緊張，心臟撲通撲通的聲音和胃翻騰的感覺都混雜在一起了。很多擔憂和疑問一個個地冒了出來，「如果那些上海的學生都沒辦法聽懂我說的英文和中文，怎麼辦？」「如果他們不喜歡我們準備的節目，又怎麼辦？」「假如他們根本就不喜歡我，又該怎麼辦呢？」

突然，我看到了我的級任導師率領著一列穿著校服的小朋友們朝著我的方向走來，興奮的感覺令我忘卻了煩惱。他們到了！幾位同學紛紛領孩子們入座。 站在走道上的我看著他們純真的眼睛，一股友善的暖意湧上心頭。 我告訴自己，「無論如何，一定要帶給這群孩子正面的影響，要為他們拓展視野，讓他們看到世界的另一端 —— 他們從沒看過的一面。」

於是我們的任務展開了！首先，我們一一的向他們介紹了萬佛聖城、育良小學、培德中學、聖城的傳統，以及我們的創辦人——宣公上人。在我們使用投影片向他們解說時，我對孩子們表現出來的禮儀感到訝異，他們不只是認真聽講，適時的舉手發問，回答我們提出的問題， 而且還站起來回答問題，更會在結束後說「謝謝」。能看到這群年紀這麼小的學生能實踐品德教育，真可激勵人心。

下午，我和一些同學們領著一群小朋友參觀萬佛聖城，並當他們的解說員。途中，我發現我看待聖城的感覺和以往大大的有所不同。我平常走過卻忽略的—— 蔚藍的天空，古老的建築，路邊的花草、孔雀、白鴿、松鼠，乃至地上爬行的小昆蟲及乾枯的落葉 ——對福山的學生們來說居然是新穎奇特的。

平時，因為習慣使然，我從來不曾好好的、用心的感受這個地方的真善美。長期下來，我已忽略了聖城的價值。但在回答小學生們問題的同時，我又重新的認識了我在生命中所擁有的一切，也有了一個不同的想法：能待在聖城讀書，是一件多麼幸福的事！當下，我明白了一點，我之所以錯過了聖城的美好，完全是因為我只關心自己切身的私事，而忽略了生活中周遭的細節。自私的心態往往會讓人吃大虧的。

參觀完校園後，男女就被分成兩組；男生被帶到道源堂和男校學生們學習舞龍、舞獅，女生則留在女校觀賞中國舞蹈的表演，及學習幾個基本動作。

傍晚，我帶著福山的女學生們前往小齋堂準備用晚餐，一個小女孩突然問我：「姐姐，長大後，我可以到這裡讀書嗎？」我笑著回答：「當然可以呀！等你長大了，只要申請就可以來這裡讀書了。」以前，我從來不知道要如何和小孩相處，但那天過後，我才了解，原來我總是太多慮，太要求完美。其實，只要誠心待人，自然的表現出原來的一面，相處起來就容易得多了，孩子們很純真，並不會特意的批評別人。對我而言，他們就是我的小弟弟、小妹妹，出自本能地我想要把最好的呈現給他們，讓他們在聖城參觀的這一段時間感到很幸福，很值得留念。

隔天，一月十七日，福山的學生們參與了男女兩校不同的課程。雖然多數的福山學生是非佛教徒，他們很快的接納了我們的宗教習俗。在和10年級的學生一起上老師特別設計的佛學課時，他們表現得很積極，迫不及待的想要嘗試新的東西。

我對他們好學的反應感到相當驚訝。他們學了到了佛陀的故事、 六大宗旨及做人最基本的道德：誠實和孝順，當然也包括了小朋友們最愛的唱遊。我們合唱了大放光明轉法輪、誦念六字大明咒及觀世音菩薩等。看到他們興致勃勃，我們好開心，所有的辛苦都是值得的。

和福山小學的孩子們相處的兩天，我的內心感到了無限的溫暖。最後我們歡送他們時，他們從福袋裡掏出一個個小禮物送給我們時，我好感動。禮物不是重點，重點是我發現幫助別人居然可以讓人這麼的喜悅、快樂。我很難忘懷他們坐在遊覽車時，我目送著他們，不斷的對著他們跳躍揮手，希望讓他們可以看到我的心情。在內心深處，一方面，我希望他們可以待更久一點，讓我可以更了解這些孩子，跟他們說更多的話，分享更多事情。

可是另一方面，我也期待他們趕快帶著在聖城的體驗回到上海向家人，以及那些沒有機會來的同學們分享。我衷心的希望他們將聖城所學到的知識及宣公上人提倡的八德，運用在日常生活上，讓家人、師長看到他們的改變和成長。我更期望他們能深深的了解到自己是多麼的幸福和幸運，這麼小就能有機會來到美國，對所擁有的一切，應該滿懷感恩以及知足。

許多人在我們的生命中進進出出。而這些人都會在我們的心中留下一些身影。雖然有時我們不太注意，但這些身影確實在某方面會帶給我們某些影響。1月16和17日，對我而言，有著很重要的人生體驗。我會永遠記得這次的交流。雖然訪客只有四年級，但是他們喚回了很多被我忽略已久的生活層面，以及很多伴隨著成長早已被我遺忘的生活點滴。看著他們，我也提醒自己：「我好幸福喔！」

兩天的時間，一轉眼就結束了，非常感謝為了這次活動而奉獻的每一個人，因為你們，這個活動才能進行得這麼順利。感謝所有參與活動的老師和義工們，謝謝你們的支援及鼓勵。另外，要感謝所有參與綵排，及做前置準備的所有培德女校和男校的同學們。看到大家願意花時間和精神來圓滿這次的任務，內心無比的感動。最後，我們由衷的謝謝遠道而來的福山小學全體師生們，給予我們學校機會和你們分享我們的經驗。我將會非常懷念這兩天來我們共同創造的美好回憶！

※                             ※                           ※

by Tracy Chen (Girls School 10^th Grade)

Translated into Chinese by Katherine Tsai (Girls School 11^th Grade)

We often encounter extraordinary people in life; people who open our eyes to hidden aspects of the world that we have never even perceived to exist. To meet people who possess the exceptional ability to alter our lives stories is already remarkable. However, when these significant figures in our life turn out to be children, the level of notability increases a notch. On January 16^th and 17^th, my class received the opportunity to teach and interact with a group of 39 fourth graders from Fu Shan Elementary School fromShanghai. Due to the cultural exchange program thatFushanElementary School promotes, they chose to visit theInstillingGoodnessElementary School andDevelopingVirtuesHigh School for two days.  Through our interaction with the visiting students for two days, I feel that the lessons that I have received from these children are priceless.

It was Monday, January 16, and I had just spent the entire morning making last minute preparations to ensure perfection for the rest of the day to come. My class stood waiting outside the IITBT building, heart racing in anticipation and stomach fluttering with butterflies. Fear and doubts flooded my mind. “What if the children can’t understand my English or Chinese? What if they don’t like our presentations? What if they don’t like ME?” Suddenly I sighted my core teacher led a line of students clad in maroon uniforms walking toward us waiting at IITBT. A rush of excitement surged through me – I forgot my worries. They finally arrived!

As a few of my classmates ushered them to seats, I stood on the side and scanned the mass of happy and laughing children. Just seeing the innocence in their eyes and demeanor conferred me a sense of warmth and friendliness.  I told myself, “No matter what, you need to make positive influence on these kids, and show them parts of the world that they have never even explored before.”

As the day progressed, we educated them about the City of 10,000 Buddhas, our school, some significant traditions, and the life story on Ven. Master Hua. I was surprised at the level of discipline that these children possessed, for they not only listened intently to our presentations, but they also stood up to answer questions and ended their answers with a “thank you”. To see these children, at such a young age, understand morals and manners was inspiring.

When a few of my classmates and I took the students on a tour around CTTB, I felt like I was seeing CTTB in an entirely different way. The blue sky, old buildings, plants, peacocks, white doves, even the dry leaves on the ground that I always just glanced past and ignored were special and new to these children. They questioned about different flower species, and stared in awe at all the animals they saw, even the miniscule insects crawling on the sidewalks. It made me change my perspective of the life around me, and view these features as blessings. It also caused me to realize how much of the world I was missing out just by choosing to overlook minor details and only noticing things that were of regard towards me.  Selfishness always causes a big loss on our side.

Afterwards, the boys and girls were split apart; the boys went to learn about Lion Dance from the Boy’s School students, while the girls stayed to learn about Chinese Dance.  In the evening, while I walked the girls to dinner at the Dining Hall, one girl asked me, “Sister, I want to come to this school. Is it possible?” Laughing, I replied, “Of course, you could. You just have to apply when you grow older.”  I never knew how to interact with children, but that day I realized that I had always been worrying too much about perfection. All I had to do was be myself because these children were still too pure to judge or criticize me. They are just like my own little sisters and brother. Instinctively, I sincerely wanted to care for them and make their time here blissful and memorable.

The next day, January 17^th,  the children attended various classes with our school’s students. Although most of the children weren’t Buddhists, they were all very acceptant of our customs and eager to try them out. When they attended the Buddhism class held by the 10^th graders, I was surprised at their interest in the subject. They listened attentively to specially designed lessons on the Buddha’s life, Six Great Principles, and basic human virtues of honesty and filiality.  Of course, the students’ favorite singing activity was also included.  Together we ssng “the Dharma Wheel” and chanted the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra and Guan Yin Bodhisatta. Seeing their enthusiasm, it made me feel happy, for all our hard work and preparation was really worth it.

Just interacting with the children gave me a really warm and fuzzy feeling inside.  When they all pulled out small presents for Chinese New Years and gave them to students in our school, I discovered how good and happy it felt to finally do something meaningful for others. Even as we sent them off in their tour bus, I couldn’t stop jumping and waving goodbye to them. A part of me just wanted them to stay longer, so I could talk to them more and get to know each one of them better. However, the other part of me wanted them to leave and take the invaluable experiences they have had inAmericaand bring them back to their families inShanghai. I wanted them to take the knowledge and virtues we shared with them that day, and apply it in the daily lives. I wanted them to understand how blessed they were to have the opportunity to visit America and how fortunate they were to have the privileges they had so that they feel grateful and satisfied with what they have.

People come and go in our lives; nonetheless, they all leave an important imprint in our hearts. We may not always notice it, but all these imprints change us. January 16th and 17th was an important experience I had interacting with young children from Shanghai. However, the experiences with these children were remarkable and definitely recollections that I would remember for times to come. Although they were only 4^th graders, they were able to teach me so much about those aspects of life that I had forgotten in the process of growing up. By watching them, I was reminded myself, “I am so fortunate!”

Those two days passed like a blink of an eye. I am thankful for all the effort and hard work everyone has put in to make it happen. To all the teachers and adults who helped make these two days happen, I am extremely grateful for your enormous amount of effort, immeasurable support, and inspiration. Also, thanks to all the students fromGirlsSchoolandBoysSchoolwho have put their in time and hard work. Seeing everyone dedicating their time working collaboratively as a team to support this event, I was very touched.   At the same time, we are exceptionally grateful towards the Fu Shan students who have chosen to visit our school and give us this opportunity to work together. Thank you and I will miss our amazing time together!