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月到天心

By Photography, Wisdom
望月

望月

二十多年前的乡下没有路灯,夜里穿过田野要回到家里,差不多是摸黑的,平常时日,都是借着微明的天光,摸索着回家。

偶尔有星星,就亮了很多,感觉到心里也有星星的光明。

如果是有月亮的时候,心里就整个沉淀下来,丝毫没有了黑夜的恐惧。在南台湾,尤其是夏夜,月亮的光格外有辉煌的光明,能使整条山路都清清楚楚地延展出来。

乡下的月光是很难形容的,它不像太阳的投影是从外面来,它的光明犹如从草树、从街路、从花叶,乃至从屋檐下、墙垣内部微微地渗出,有时会误以为万事万物的本身有着自在的光明。假如夜深有雾,到处都弥漫着清气,当萤火虫成群飞过,仿佛是月光所掉落出来的精灵。

每一种月光下的事物都有了光明,真是好!

更好的是,在月光底下,我们也觉得自己心里有着月亮、有着光明,那光明虽不如阳光温暖,却是清凉的,从头顶的发到脚尖的指甲都感受月的清凉。

走一段路,抬起头来,月亮总是跟着我们,照着我们。在童年的岁月里,我们心目中的月亮有一种亲切的生命,就如同有人提灯为我们引路一样。我们在路上,月在路上;我们在山顶,月在山顶;我们在江边,月在江中;我们回到家里,月正好在家屋门前。

直到如今,童年看月的景象,以及月光下的乡村都还历历如绘。但对于月之随人却带着一丝迷思,月亮永远跟随我们,到底是错觉还是真实的呢?可以说它既是错觉,也是真实。由于我们知道月亮只有一个,人人却都认为月亮跟随自己,这是错觉;但当月亮伴随我们时,我们感觉到月是唯一的,只为我照耀,这是真实。

长大以后才知道,真正的事实是,每一个人心中有一片月,它是独一无二、光明湛然的,当月亮照耀我们时,它反映着月光,感觉天上的月也是心中的月。在这个世界上 ,每个人心里都有月亮埋藏,只是自己不知罢了。只有极少数的人,在最黑暗的时刻,仍然放散月的光明,那是知觉到自己就是月亮的人。

. . . . . . 从前读过许多诵月的诗,有一些颇能说出“心中之月”的境界,例如王阳明的《蔽月山房》:

山近月远觉月小,便道此山大于月;
若人有眼大如天,当见山高月更阔。

确实,如果我们能把心眼放开到天一样大,月不就在其中吗?只是一般人心眼小,看起来山就大于月亮了。还有一首是宋朝理学家邵雍写的《清夜吟》:

月到天心处,风来水面时;
一般清意味,料得少人知。

月到天心、风来水面,都有着清凉明净的意味,只有微细的心情才能体会,一般人是不能知道的。

我们看月,如果只看到天上之月,没有见到心灵之月,则月亮只是极短暂的偶遇,哪里谈得上什么永恒之美呢?

所以回到自己,让自己光明吧!

[文:林清玄]

First transfer of donation for Japan quake relief to IFRC

By Involvement
juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

Thank you friends for your support, we have made our first transfer of USD 150.00 donation to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for Japan quake relief.

Our donation will support the rescue works in Japan. And, we must give a deep bow of immense gratitude to all the volunteers’ efforts to respond to the emergency relief. There are many rescue workers or emergency workers risk their lives and some even sacrificed themselves! Many stories of heroism are reported such as one as reported by Japanese journalist Chie Matsumoto:

“People received the warning through the city speakers that are set up outside. They heard, ‘A big tsunami is coming. You need to evacuate.’ Shortly after, they heard, ‘Run!’

“The announcement was cut off and the people never heard from the speakers, or the people who announced it, again. The few people assigned to announce it were at the disaster prevention center, and they went missing.

“They sacrificed their lives to send everyone else to a safer place. They gave priority to others’ safety. The disaster prevention center is now under the mud brought on by the tsunami.”

Although we are not on the ground to help like them nor to be like them, we can still send out our prayers to give them (both rescuers and victims) hope and strength in the face of this terrible catastrophe.

Thank you again and we will soon to make a second transfer. Friends who wish to contribute, kindly contact us. Sharing some photos taken from Red Cross flickr:

Those who have suffered near drowning are wrapped in blankets and then plastic sheeting to keep them both warm ad dry before being transported to Ishinomaki Red Cross hospital for treatment. (Photograph: Toshirharu Kato, Japanese Red Cross)

Those who have suffered near drowning are wrapped in blankets and then plastic sheeting to keep them both warm ad dry before being transported to Ishinomaki Red Cross hospital for treatment. (Photograph: Toshirharu Kato, Japanese Red Cross)

For some of the youngest patients, who may be particularly vulnerable, special care must be provided, however warm skin and a kind voice, together with a watchful eye can go a long way to ensure a speedy recovery. (Photograph: Toshirharu Kato, Japanese Red Cross)

For some of the youngest patients, who may be particularly vulnerable, special care must be provided, however warm skin and a kind voice, together with a watchful eye can go a long way to ensure a speedy recovery. (Photograph: Toshirharu Kato, Japanese Red Cross)

One week after the earthquake struck and tsunami surged through, a Japanese Red Cross volunteer surveys the damage to Otsuchi in Iwate prefecture. (Photograph: Japanese Red Cross Society)

One week after the earthquake struck and tsunami surged through, a Japanese Red Cross volunteer surveys the damage to Otsuchi in Iwate prefecture. (Photograph: Japanese Red Cross Society)

Technicians scan Red Cross rescue workers for signs of radiation in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture in northern Japan, after an earthquake and tsunami struck the area, March 14, 2011. (Photograph: Reuters/Kyodo)

Technicians scan Red Cross rescue workers for signs of radiation in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture in northern Japan, after an earthquake and tsunami struck the area, March 14, 2011. (Photograph: Reuters/Kyodo)

February.March 2011

By Life Journal, Photography
love.peace

love.peace

Last month, February was a very busy and hectic month for mEE, nothing but work. The pace of life is going back to normal in early March and I can have more updates on juesatta.

Having said that, a series of fortunate events have just happened in Japan, earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown tragically claim countless human lives and destroy the livelihoods of many others including wildlife and ecosystems. And the latest update of today,

The toll of Japan’s triple disaster came into clearer focus Monday after police estimates showed more than 18,000 people died, the World Bank said rebuilding may cost $235 billion and more cases of radiation-tainted vegetables and tap water turned up. (yahoo.com)

More work has to be done here such as to increase awareness of the need for aid after natural disasters. And we’re grateful that everyone is standing together in such difficult moment and is giving a hand. Each of us make a difference and together we’re powerful.

Besides the quake, war has also begun in Libya when US coalition forces launched strikes on Libya to degrade its air defense yesterday. Despite the goals of US coalition forces to protect the people of Libya, Libyan government claimed that allied attacks on Sunday have killed innoncent civilians. It was not immediately clear what targets had been hit but we do hope that Libya can return to stability as soon as possible and its problems can be resolved peacefully.

May you find serenity here and we hope that the victims in Japan and people in Libya to peace, and survive. May all beings bEE happy.

Sharing some shots taken in Melaka within these two months.

demolish

demolish

"I'm watching you"

"I'm watching you"

seven

seven

duet (traditional Malay performance)

duet (traditional Malay performance)

dine

dine

ambitious

ambitious

heading home

heading home

Masjid Selat Melaka (Malacca Straits Mosque)

Masjid Selat Melaka (Malacca Straits Mosque)

fire fighters

fire fighters

juesatta awakening foundation: japan quake relief mission launched

By Involvement
juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

juesatta awakening foundation logo (draft)

A huge 8.9 earthquake, subsequent tsunami, and nuclear meltdown struck Japan on March 11th at 2:46 pm, causing immeasurable human suffering and physical damage. Officials say at least 10,000 people were killed, many more are still missing or injured, and millions are without food, water, power in Japan.

Major disasters always require a huge amount of international support to provide relief and long term recovery efforts. Japan, being one of the world’s most generous nations, has always donated when other countries have experienced disasters. In these, their days of greatest need now, we stand ready and are eager to help the Japanese in this time of great trial.

I’ve received calls these two days from friends who  have expressed their sympathy and wish of helping those who are at risk in Japan now. We are getting the assessments by the reputable aid organisations such as Red Cross, Tzu Chi, World Vision, Salvation Army and those already have a presence in the impacted area and their response will likely be faster and more efficinet than other organizations that are not on the ground.

Right now, while waiting and see how the relief situation develops, we express our heartfelt sympathy for the tragic loss and are ready to assist the reputable aid organisations. Friends, you can make a donation to well-known charitable organisations or through us as we are collecting fund and will make the transfer next week to the organisations mentioned that are working on relief and recovery in the region.

A woman cries amid the destruction in Natori, Japan (Reuters photo)

A woman cries amid the destruction in Natori, Japan (Reuters photo)

Residents walk along a path overlooking shattered homes from the tsunami in Kesen Numa, Miyagi Prefecture. (Reuters photo)

Residents walk along a path overlooking shattered homes from the tsunami in Kesen Numa, Miyagi Prefecture. (Reuters photo)

A man surveys the damage in Minami Sanriku, a town in Miyago Prefecture, on Tuesday, March 15. (AFP/Getty photo)

A man surveys the damage in Minami Sanriku, a town in Miyago Prefecture, on Tuesday, March 15. (AFP/Getty photo)

A Self Defense Forces soldier holds a 4-month-old baby in Ishinomaki city in Miyagi prefecture Monday. The child survived the tsunami with her family. (AFP/Getty photo)

A Self Defense Forces soldier holds a 4-month-old baby in Ishinomaki city in Miyagi prefecture Monday. The child survived the tsunami with her family. (AFP/Getty photo)

残缺

By Compassion
李心洁新书《在我说愿意之前》插图

李心洁新书《在我说愿意之前》插图

贫民区。

我握着你的手。

我们的手相溶在一起。

我紧紧地握着,闭上眼,透过你的皮肤的温度聆听你的故事。

当那些残酷的人们砍断你那可爱的小手指时,他们是不是就这样眼睁睁看着你的痛苦而无动于衷,聆听你的惨叫声而没有一丝怜惜。

那时候的你几岁?

他们难道忘记了你也是从妈妈肚子里怀胎十月生下来的吗?他们难道忘记了你只不过是一个含颗糖果就会快乐的小生命吗?

一个人的心中充斥着如何巨大的仇恨才能对一个天真无辜的生命造成如此深沉的伤害。

他的心死了吗?

而你又是如何让自己在这残缺的生命中继续活下去,继续感受自己的存在?

我听见你在无数个黑夜里颤哭泣的声音,听见你的无助,听见你的恐惧,听见你弱小受创的心灵。

你用力呼唤着爸爸妈妈,但他们再也听不见了。

我想就这样永远握着你的手不放,直到抚平你的伤痕,直到真爱降临你的内心。

[摘自:李心洁的《在我说愿意之前》]

Hundreds killed in tsunami after 8.9 Japan quake

By Compassion
A massive tsunami engulfs a residential area in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan. (photo by Reuters/Kyodo)

A massive tsunami engulfs a residential area in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan. (photo by Reuters/Kyodo)

TOKYO – A ferocious tsunami unleashed by Japan’s biggest recorded earthquake slammed into its eastern coast Friday, killing hundreds of people as it carried away ships, cars and homes, and triggered widespread fires that burned out of control.

Hours later, the tsunami hit Hawaii but did not cause major damage. Warnings blanketed the Pacific, putting areas on alert as far away as South America, Canada, Alaska and the entire U.S. West coast. In northeastern Japan, the area around a nuclear power plant was evacuated after the reactor’s cooling system failed.

Tsunami waves swirl near a port in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture (state) after Japan was struck by a strong earthquake off its northeastern coast Friday, March 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Tsunami waves swirl near a port in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture (state) after Japan was struck by a strong earthquake off its northeastern coast Friday, March 11, 2011. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Police said 200 to 300 bodies were found in the northeastern coastal city of Sendai, the city in Miyagi prefecture, or state, closest to the epicenter. Another 137 were confirmed killed, with 531 people missing. Police also said 627 people were injured.

The magnitude-8.9 offshore quake unleashed a 23-foot (seven-meter) tsunami and was followed for hours by more than 50 aftershocks, many of them of more than magnitude 6.0.

Dozens of cities and villages along a 1,300-mile (2,100-kilometer) stretch of coastline were shaken by violent tremors that reached as far away as Tokyo, hundreds of miles (kilometers) from the epicenter. A large section of Kesennuma, a town of 70,000 people in Miyagi, burned furiously into the night with no apparent hope of being extinguished, public broadcaster NHK said.

Koto Fujikawa, 28, was riding a monorail when the quake hit and had to later pick her way along narrow, elevated tracks to the nearest station.

“I thought I was going to die,” Fujikawa, who works for a marketing company, said. “It felt like the whole structure was collapsing.”

Scientists said the quake ranked as the fifth-largest earthquake in the world since 1900 and was nearly 8,000 times stronger than one that devastated Christchurch, New Zealand, last month.

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