Text & Photos圖文 | Martha Evarista 劉慧心
Martha helping campers with their English as a summer camp leader
「你是佛教徒嗎？那為什麼要去佛館當義工呢？」
這是我被問過多次的問題。身為在虔誠天主教家庭長大的華裔印尼人，我選擇在佛光山佛陀紀念館擔任義工，並在佛教道場生活一個月，確實不是容易被理解的決定。然而，感謝父母的開明態度，我從小被鼓勵去探索不同信仰，不僅閱讀聖經，也接觸其他宗教經典。這讓我能以個人的方式實踐印尼的國家格言「Bhinneka Tunggal Ika」（異中求同）。我沒有帶著宏大期待來佛館，只是想回到這個曾以寧靜氛圍與壯麗景色吸引我的地方。但這次成為義工，竟然對我產生深刻影響。從協助辦公室，到參加館內活動，每一項都各具特色。其中最難忘的，是參加「過堂」 — — 在寧靜中用餐，遵循儀軌，讓我學會尊重食物。在數位干擾的時代，這樣的體驗格外清新。
玉佛殿的修持體驗，也讓我感受到與天主教避靜相似的靜謐。兩者都引導人靜下喧囂，傾聽內心聲音。另一收穫，是隨同導覽員聽導覽。原以為解說文字已足夠，但當背景故事被講述時，整個體驗更豐富。
最有意義的，是擔任雙語夏令營的隊輔。與五十多位孩子一起學佛法、善行和自然知識，真的難忘。我們將「三好」 — — 做好事、說好話、存好心 — — 植入孩子心中。我想到自己熟悉的價值觀：「己所不欲，勿施於人」，再次感受到宗教本質皆教導善與慈悲。
雖有語言障礙與疲累，但孩子們學習英語的熱情與對世界的好奇，讓我重獲能量。那麼，為什麼要到佛館當義工？我或許仍沒有完美答案。我帶著好奇而來，卻帶著更深層的平靜離開。我看到，真理、善良與愛不受宗教限制，它們存在於我們對人的態度、對世界的關懷，以及內心的修養。我原本為了美景而來，最後卻為了精神留下。
Martha drawn by the Museum's peaceful atmosphere and breathtaking scenery
“Are you a Buddhist? Why volunteer at a Buddha Museum then?”
I’ve been asked this more than once. As a Chinese-Indonesian raised Catholic, spending a month at Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum may seem unusual. But thanks to my parents’ open-mindedness, I grew up encouraged to explore different faiths, reading not only the Bible but also other texts. This freedom let me embrace Indonesia’s motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).
I didn’t come with big expectations — only to revisit a place of peace and beauty. Volunteering, however, impacted me deeply. From office work to special sessions, each was unique. Formal dining in silence taught me to respect food. Meditation at the Jade Buddha Shrine echoed the stillness I knew from Catholic retreats. Guided tours showed me how stories enrich experience.
The most meaningful part was serving as a leader in the first Bilingual Summer Camp. With over 50 children, we learned Buddhism, kindness, and nature in English and Mandarin. Through interactive activities, we planted the “Three Acts of Goodness”: do good deeds, speak good words, think good thoughts. It reminded me of the value I grew up with: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Despite language barriers and fatigue, the children’s joy and curiosity renewed me.
So why volunteer at a Buddha Museum? I may still not have a perfect answer. I came with curiosity and left with peace. Truth, goodness, and love are not bound by religion — they’re lived through our actions, care for the world, and inner growth. I came for the scenery but stayed for the spirit.
#佛光山 #佛陀紀念館 #喬達摩 #GAUTAMA
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