序
法入心行,归返佛陀故乡
The Dharma Comes Home to Nepal 尼泊尔——佛陀的故乡,一场强震过后,映入眼帘的是满目疮痍、满城瓦砾,高楼平房、千年古蹟倒塌毁损,许多生命瞬间消失。当地民众在强震前一秒钟仍喜乐欢笑,后一秒钟却遍地哀号,令人不忍。慈济人在震后立即准备出发勘灾,却辗转波折数日才抵达尼泊尔。自此我们的脚步从未离开,迄今仍在当地关怀。
当慈济人踏上这片土地时,不禁遥想二千多年前,佛陀在此出生、成长,而后修行成佛,游化各地宣说佛理,彷彿还可以感受到佛陀当时的慈悲。而看见灾难景象,不仅印证佛陀所说「无常」及「成、住、坏、空」的道理,更能体会佛法是永恆真理。所以,大家要法入心、法入行,将佛法带回佛陀的故乡,肤慰受灾受难的人。
慈济人抱持感恩心走入灾区,看到许多贫穷人的生活因遇难而雪上加霜,也看到当地仍存在着社会阶级分别。于是透过赈灾,积极带动「教富济贫」与「济贫教富」。
首先发放生活物资,为贫穷人解生计的燃眉之急;发放过程中,弯腰鞠躬,平等尊敬地献上物资,并欢喜地给予拥抱。如此身行,深深感动了当地人,也纷纷加入志工行列。因缘会合,数位富商投入慈济的发放,出钱出力,又亲自随着慈济人走近贫者,一样弯腰鞠躬、亲手布施,打破他们原有的贵贱观念。借由发放活动,解除贫者生活的困境,开启富者内心的大爱,同时让人性回归平等真如。这不就实践了「教富济贫」的精神吗?
此外,也努力推动「济贫教富」,对于受助的人,我们抱持「苦既拔已,复为说法」的理念,给予生活资助后,再启发本具的佛性,让他们体会人人都能救人的道理。「竹筒岁月」于焉开展,即使只是一元、五角,投入竹筒,都如大海里永不干涸的一滴水。凝聚点滴力量,也可以去救人,让人人欢喜感受:我也有一分救人的力量!
当急难救助告一段落,但许多人还聚居帐篷区,生活条件简陋,因此慈济已展开中长期的援助工作。除了援建简易屋之外,也持续进行人文关怀与慈济人医会义诊,带动更多当地志工投入。
八月初,人医会在帐篷区举办一次大型义诊,有台湾前去的医师,还有当地好几位医师共襄盛举。义诊前下起大雨,承担总务的志工赶紧搭起帐棚,并由当地志工在积水处协助铺路,尽管双脚陷入泥泞,依然弯下腰,徒手垫起一块块砖头,再铺上竹篱。大家分工合作,只为了让前来求诊的老弱妇孺有一条好路可走,这真是「用爱铺路走过来」。
尼泊尔重建之路仍漫长,在这片大地上,欣见美善的人们用真实之爱抚平受创的人心,陪伴他们走过艰辛困境。展望未来,期待众人继续发挥爱的能量,传承这分真诚与无私,在佛国走出一条菩提大直道。
证严上人
编者的话
佛国慈悲行纪 尼泊尔以两大高峰闻名于世,一是全球最高的喜马拉雅山脉;另一则是在人类文明里,最高灵性智者佛陀的故乡,也是佛教的发源地,每年吸引了许多游客前来。然而居住在这片土地上的人民,千百年来却过着穷苦的生活。2015年4月25日的大地震,更加剧了这种困顿的生活。
身为佛教团体,慈济基金会立刻召集志工组织赈灾团队,并于地震发生两天后即前往尼泊尔。十五位首梯赈灾医疗团员中有五位医护人员,随行并携带一点四公吨的医疗用品及赈灾物资前往救急。然而此行并不容易,由于当地没有慈济志工,无法事先确认种种赈灾事宜;虽然慈济在1993年(二十二年前)曾于尼泊尔马克万普、劳特哈特及萨拉衣等三地区援建了一千八百户永久屋给水患灾民,但交屋之后即断了联系。然而幸运的是,透过尼泊尔前科技部长卡夏‧曼‧释迦的协助,慈济团员抵达当日得以拜会当地的政府官员,说明慈济此次救援目的与行动,得到官方的协助与指导,并幸运地在抵达隔日便取得医疗许可证。
医护人员分成两组进行,一组跟随着卡夏‧曼‧释迦部长的儿子尼尔‧释迦医师到偏乡义诊;另一组专科医师则留在加德满都,以支援两家当地医院进行紧急手术,帮助地震中受伤且缺乏止痛药可用的大量骨折病患,并提供骨材及药材给当地医疗资源不足的医院。此外,团员们也发现,因为病床不足,许多伤患只能躺在医院外面的地面上等待治疗,帐篷区的居民也同样是席地而睡。于是慈济立即从马来西亚及中国大陆运送福慧床(多功能折叠床)至尼泊尔,提供给医院及临时帐篷区的居民使用。
从5月到8月,灾后一百多天的日子里,慈济有近百位医护人员前往尼泊尔赈灾、义诊,超过一万五千位伤患获得治疗。受到慈济医护人员的爱心鼓舞,当地医疗人员也开始筹设尼泊尔的「慈济国际人医会」,参与这项慈济从1996年创立,现今在二十三个国家地区进行的国际医疗服务。
5月中的一个夜里,加德满都的一场暴雨,让位在灾区的慈济义诊帐篷几乎因此倒塌,当地居民不顾自己家的帐篷也濒临倾倒,赶忙在豪雨中用手撑扶慈济义诊帐篷,整整淋了将近两小时的大雨。这件事情让团员们见证到当地居民感受到慈济医疗人员的爱心关怀,从而感恩回馈的行动。
虽然医疗义诊取得居民信任,但第一週团员们即感受到在尼泊尔当地赈灾的困难。难处之一便是要取得当地政府信任和通过购买物资的评估耗时过久,影响发放的进度。印尼慈济分会于是出面协助,借由印尼军机从雅加达载送物资到加德满都,十四位印尼随行志工带着超过六十个军用帐篷,并为当地居民提供热食。全球志工分工合作,印尼志工负责购买物资,而来自台湾、马来西亚及美国的志工们则向政府确认巴塔普灾区需要物资关怀的乡亲名单。从5月10日台湾的浴佛节开始第一次物资发放,超过两万五千名乡亲收到物资及关怀,截至8月已逾二十万名乡亲受益。在急难救援阶段,慈济也提供临时避难所安置数百户当地居民。
5月12日当天规模七点二的余震再次震撼了尼泊尔加德满都等地,临时帐篷区里充斥着乡亲们惊恐的尖叫声,慈济志工们立即给予拥抱与肤慰,这样的爱与关怀一直是慈济赈灾的内涵,而不仅只是给予物资而已。
当紧急救难阶段告一段落,慈济开始思考中长期的援建计画。在尼泊尔有三十九万间教室因地震损毁,其中包含了高中及大学等校舍,慈济志工先行前往加德满都当地的学校勘察评估。来自台湾、马来西亚的营建专家与经由印尼慈济志工黄荣年介绍认识的尼泊尔实业家纳瑞许.杜加的专业营建公司合作援建。
杜加的女儿苏莉丝汀因为受到感动而加入慈济志工的行列,一起为受灾乡亲服务。在尼泊尔传统种姓制度文化里,婆罗门身分的她是不应碰触底层贱民的,然而苏莉丝汀却亲自为他们投药除头蝨,这是前所未有,也是慈悲的力量超越了各种隔阂的展现。
自地震起将近四个月的时间,证严上人几乎每天亲自主持视讯连线会议与身处尼泊尔的志工们讨论赈灾事宜,提供志工们和纳瑞许先生、尼尔医师、穆坤逹先生、胜伟医师、葛雷神父等当地朋友们慈悲的洞见。这次成功的赈灾行动,应归功于上人的慈悲与智慧引导,以及来自台湾、印尼、马来西亚、美国及中国大陆等地全球不同国家地区的志工,在慈善、医疗、教育、人文和建筑等领域发挥专长,以共同的理念、感恩的心情、合作无间地付出。他们自行负担旅费,至少在当地待上两週,为尼泊尔受灾乡亲付出他们的慈悲与爱。
来自地方与尼泊尔中央政府的支持,更是对慈济在紧急救助及重建计画上有显着的帮助。巴塔普的地方首长也在当地报纸上刊登慈济赈灾发放物资受惠者名单,展现慈济赈灾的透明度与当地政府负责任的态度。
其实,让慈济志工最感动的是尼泊尔当地受灾的乡亲。身为佛国子民,他们展现出一分纯真的心,即使是在最艰困的时候,从未失去笑容与感恩心,许多人协助赈灾,无论是投入慈济志工的行列或是参与援助专案的规画,他们都是慈济的好朋友,更是慈济的家人们。
本书的出版,旨在表彰所有为尼泊尔地震苦难而付出的在地与来自全球的志工们。我们由衷地相信与期待,经历过这个世纪性的灾难之后,这些志工们展现出来的慈悲力量,将为尼泊尔乡亲带来光明的新希望。
Returning with Compassion to the Buddha’s Birthplace
There are two peaks in Nepal. One is the mighty Himalayas and the other a pinnacle of human civilization -- Buddhism. Nepal is the birthplace of the Buddha. As such, it attracts thousands of tourists; but, for many centuries, her people have been living in poverty and suffering. When a devastating earthquake struck Nepal in April 25, 2015, living conditions became even worse for them.
As a Buddhist organization, Tzu Chi Foundation inspired its volunteers and they departed for Nepal two days after the earthquake. Fifteen of them, including five medical doctors, brought 1.4 tonne of medicine and relief materials; they hoped to provide immediate support to the victims of the earthquake. Tzu Chi’s mission to Nepal was no simple matter; it had no prior connection to the country – except for one project in 1993. The foundation built 1,800 permanent homes for the survivors of severe flooding in the Makwanpur, Rautahat and Sarlahi districts. After that, it ended all its relationships in the country. Therefore, the volunteers were particularly grateful that Dr. Keshab Man Shakya, former Minister of Science, Technology, and the Environment, met us the moment arrived at the airport of Kathmandu. He introduced us to leaders of the major political parties that very day, to let them know our principles and motivation in coming to support the survivors of the earthquake. It was also an opportunity for us to ask for their support and advice. It was really fortunate that, on the very next day, we received permission to conduct medical clinics.
Our physicians split into two teams. One conducted free clinics in rural villages accompanied by Doctor Nirdesh Shakya, son of former Minister Keshab Shakya. The other team performed surgery in two hospitals in Kathmandu; they lacked bone replacements and the technical equipment needed to treat the patients severely injured by the earthquake. Many patients did not even get enough pain relievers on the first day we visited; many simply lay on the floor because there were not enough beds. To remedy this, Tzu Chi imported thousands of convertible beds from Malaysia and mainland China; these were invented by residents of the Jing Si Abode and are called ‘Jing Si Multi-purpose Folding Bed’. They were supplied to the hospitals and the residents who lived in the temporary tents.
From May to August, over a period of more than 100 days, Tzu Chi sent nearly 100 doctors and nurses to provide medical services to over 15,000 patients. The love and compassion of Tzu Chi doctors inspired many local physicians to organize the TIMA in Nepal. That is the Tzu Chi International Medical Association that was established in 1996 and has since worked in over 23 countries and regions.
In mid-May, a major monsoon hit Kathmandu. During the night, the heavy rain almost overturned the medical tents which Tzu Chi had set up in the resettlement areas. Despite the rain, the residents came out to protect these tents with their own hands for almost two hours – disregarding the fact that their own tents might have collapsed. This story shows how much they were touched by the care and compassion of Tzu Chi’s medical personnel.
The first week in Nepal was difficult for the volunteers. It took time to earn the trust of local government officials. It also involved long-term negotiations and evaluation to purchase the relief materials they needed. It was the branch in Indonesia that made the breakthrough; they worked with the Indonesia military to arrange a military cargo aircraft which flew directly from Jakarta to Kathmandu. It brought 14 volunteers of the foundation and more than 60 military tents. They started to cook hot meals for those living in the tents. The volunteers from Indonesia were responsible for purchasing relief materials. The other volunteers, from Taiwan, Malaysia and the United States, were responsible for negotiations with city officials regarding name lists of people eligible to receive relief distribution in the city of Bhaktapur. In Kathmandu, Tzu Chi started its first distribution on May 10, the Buddha Day in Taiwan. More than 25,000 people received the relief materials. As of August, over 200,000 people have received Tzu Chi’s relief goods. During this stage of emergency relief, Tzu Chi also built tents as temporary shelters for hundreds of families.
On May 12, there was a second major earthquake, of 7.2 magnitudes. It struck Kathmandu and elsewhere in Nepal. The screaming of the villagers in the relocated areas was so loud and the people were so terrified that the Tzu Chi volunteers rushed to hug and comfort them. It is always the principle of Tzu Chi during relief work to provide love and care as well as material help.
As the stage of emergency relief came to an end, the foundation started to think about and plan relief for the medium term, as well as long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction. The earthquake ruined more than 390,000 classrooms; Tzu Chi volunteers first considered reconstruction of schools in Kathmandu, including high schools and colleges. The foundation sent architects from Taiwan and Malaysia; they worked with a construction company owned by local entrepreneur Mr. Naresh Dugar. Mr. Dugar joined Tzu Chi’s relief work in June; he was introduced by Indonesian volunteer, Mr. Frank Huang. He and all the members of his family devoted their energy to Tzu Chi’s mission in Nepal.
One of his daughters, Ms. Shristi Dugar, joined the volunteers in cleaning lice from the heads of residents. She belongs to the caste of Brahmin, who are forbidden to touch people known as Dalit; they are the lowest caste, considered ‘untouchable’ in the traditional Hindu system. Despite this ban, Shristi touched and cleaned the head lice from Dalit people. That was seen as unprecedented in Nepali society; it shows how the power of compassion can break the barriers of caste and ethnicity.
Almost every day during the four months since the earthquake struck, Dharma Master Cheng Yen held a video conference with volunteers in Nepal. She gave instructions, insights and compassion to all the volunteers and local friends, including Mr. Naresh Dugar, Doctor Nirdesh Shakya, Mr. Mukunda Bista, Doctor Sarvesh Gyawali and Father Gregory Sharkey. The success of the relief work has been the result of the wisdom and compassion of Dharma Master Cheng Yen and the joint efforts of volunteers from around the world, especially Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United States and mainland China. These volunteers come from different countries and professions, including, charity, medicine, education, humanities and construction; they share one ideal – to give with gratitude and work altogether as a team. All paid their own travel costs and stayed at least two weeks -- some even more than a month – to give their love and compassion to the suffering people of Nepal.
The support from the local and central government of Nepal also significantly contributed to Tzu Chi’s emergency reliefs and rehabilitation plan. The Bhaktapur city office published in a local newspaper the names of the recipients of Tzu Chi’s relief; this showed the transparency and accountability of the government of Nepal.
Finally, what impressed all the volunteers most of all has been the people of Nepal. As descendants of Buddha, they have pure and loving hearts. Even in this most devastating situation, they never forgot to smile and be grateful. Many have joined Tzu Chi’s relief mission, as volunteers or participants in the relief work. They are now good friends and have become members of the Tzu Chi family.
This book aims to recognize all the love and effort of the volunteers, both local and international, for those who were victims of the Nepalese earthquake. We sincerely believe and expect that, after the tragedy of this century, these volunteers represent the strength of compassion and a new hope and enlightenment for the people of Nepal.
何日生