我應該再做些什麼？—Dr. Paul的發問(What More Should I Do? – Dr. Paul’s Inquiry)

【羅蘭第一分會 潘青霞 撰文】我在FoGuang HuB佛光山北美人間學院2023年秋季英文課程，擔任錄影技術人員，所負責的課程是保羅·克耶爾貝格教授(Dr. Paul Kjellberg)授課的「佛教哲學史：談從印度到現今的佛教學派發展」(History of Buddhist Philosophy：The Development of Buddhist Schools from India to the Present)。

在學期尾聲，Dr. Paul問我：「您覺得我應該再做些什麼？才能讓Chinese Students保持興趣？我發現他們很多人退課。」我又是感動又是不好意思，為Dr. Paul這麼認真而感動，也為每次實體加線上的學生總和，那屈指可數的數字感到不好意思，我猜可能多數學生是看錄影回放。

「Chinese Students」一詞定義甚廣，我以自身受亞洲式教育長大、中文為母語的背景回答Dr. Paul：「您的教學方式屬於啟發式問答，我們比較習慣聽，害羞發言，而且還要說英文，真是嚇死寶寶！」

Dr. Paul點點頭，表示他理解，我接著提供建議（鬼主意？）：「您可以每次在課堂前後，都強調佛陀說過：『諸供養中，法供養為第一』，請盡情發言，行法供養，您把佛陀搬出來應該可行，因為『Chinese Students』最依教奉行了！哈哈！」  

不知道Dr. Paul會不會後悔所問非人？ 問到一個亂出主意的人。

Dr. Paul與學生討論的問題包括：「何謂真正的中道？」、「佛陀一定必須離開皇宮才能修行嗎？」、「佈施若有所得，與條件交換有何異？」、「為什麼佛陀在菩提樹下證道後，接著要弘法？」

我相當佩服Dr. Paul，他任職於惠提爾學院(Whitter College)，定期帶領學生參訪西來寺，我目睹他在法師授課前，要求他的本土學生依佛門禮儀正經的問訊，我當下非常驚訝。

在這學期介紹「大乘佛教」時，Dr. Paul說：「佛光山的人間佛教就是大乘佛教，西來寺的法師都是菩薩。」他的這番肯定如雷震耳，我興沖沖的跟某位法師分享，法師回我：「因為Dr. Paul本身是菩薩，所以他看到的人都是菩薩！」

這真是「菩薩讚嘆菩薩」！我很感動！一方面又想到自己，我怎麼常覺得我看到的都是牛鬼蛇神、冤親債主，所以我是？

我在2023年開始練習寫起了中英雙語文章，在翻譯過程除了自力，還需要請求數位「他力」幫忙，頗為耗時。文章除了受到英文為母語的同事們好評，也收到某位英文為母語的佛光人回響，她殷殷鼓勵：「您寫的內容很有趣，尤其將星雲大師的佛法融入其中的文章，我真的很喜歡，想廣為傳播，請您多寫，好嗎？您寫的中文新聞是否也能翻成英文版本？」本人深感對英文力有未逮，很想回答：「請您用谷歌大神翻譯好嗎？」 尤其能幫我的人都好忙，在2024年翻譯這事要全靠自己了，但 Dr. Paul 的「我應該再做些什麼」之問讓我感動，也有了努力以赴的動力。

謝謝Dr. Paul ，有為者亦若是！雖能力有限，但我也是可以再做些什麼的，在2024年繼續努力！

What More Should I Do? – Dr. Paul’s Inquiry

I served as a video recording technician at FoGuang HuB (FGS North America Humanistic Buddhism Courses) fall semester of 2023.The course I was responsible for was taught by Professor Paul Kjellberg, titled “History of Buddhist Philosophy: The Development of Buddhist Schools from India to the Present.”

As the semester drew to a close, Dr. Paul asked me, “What do you think I should do more to keep Chinese students interested? I’ve noticed many of them are dropping the course.” I was both moved and embarrassed—moved by Dr. Paul’s sincerity and embarrassed by the relatively low total of in-person and online students each time. However,  perhaps a majority of students are watching the recorded playback instead.

The term “Chinese Students” has a broad definition. Coming from an upbringing in an Asian-style education system and with Mandarin as my native language, I responded back to Dr. Paul: “Your teaching style involves interactive questioning, which is quite different from what we are accustomed to. We tend to be more passive in class, often shy to speak up, and having to do so in English can be quite intimidating!”

Dr. Paul nodded, indicating his understanding, and I proceeded with a suggestion (or a mischievous idea): “You could emphasize before and after each class that the Buddha once said, ‘Among all offerings, the offering of the Dharma comes first.’ Encourage everyone to speak freely and make Dharma offerings. Bringing the Buddha into the picture might work well, as Chinese students raised in the Asian educational tradition, who often obediently follow their teachers.”

I wonder if Dr. Paul regrets asking a non-expert, someone who just throws out random ideas?

In each class, Dr. Paul and the students discussed questions such as: “What is the true Middle Way?” “Must the Buddha leave the palace to practice?” “If there is gain from generosity(giving), how does it differ from conditional exchange?” and “Why did the Buddha, after attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, choose to propagate the teachings?”

I truly admire Dr. Paul. He teaches at Whittier College and regularly leads students to visit Hsi Lai Temple. I witnessed him instructing his Western students to respectfully greet venerable in accordance with Buddhist etiquette before their lectures, a sight that surprised me.

During the semester’s exploration of Mahayana Buddhism, Dr. Paul asserted, “Fo Guang Shan’s Humanistic Buddhism is Mahayana Buddhism, and all venerable at Hsi Lai Temple are bodhisattvas.” His affirmation resounded strongly, and excitedly, I shared it with a venerable who responded, “As Dr. Paul himself is a bodhisattva, he sees everyone as bodhisattvas!”

This is truly “Bodhisattva praising Bodhisattva!” I am moved! On one hand, it makes me reflect on why I often feel like I see demons and debtors. Therefore, I am…

I began practicing writing bilingual articles in Chinese and English in 2023. During the translation process, in addition to relying on my own efforts, I sought others’ assistance, which proved to be quite time-consuming. The articles not only received positive feedback from colleagues whose native language is English but also garnered a response from an English-speaking BLIA (Buddha’s Light International Association) member. She enthusiastically encouraged, “Your content is very interesting, especially the articles that integrate Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Dharma teachings are impressive. I really like them and would like to spread them widely. Could you please write more? Also, can your Chinese news be translated into English?” Feeling inadequate in my English proficiency, I was tempted to reply, “Can you use the almighty Google Translate?” Especially considering those who could help me are quite busy, so the translation work in 2024 will have to rely entirely on myself.

However, Dr. Paul’s question, “What do you think I should do more?” touched me and provided the motivation to strive forward.

Thank you, Dr. Paul! As you do, so shall I! Despite my limited abilities, I can still do more! Here’s to continuing my efforts in 2024!