Once I know Tzu Chi organised Parent-Child Bonding Class, I reminded my friend whom is sending his daughter there to inform me whenever the next intake is open for registration.
On the first day of registration, I went to register together with another friend. I am really glad that I manage to get a place as I heard all places are taken up before evening on the first day.
I'm really gladful that I have the opportunity to accompany my son to learn things together.I think it is worth spending 9 Sunday morning in a year, as the benefit we have gained is enormous.This class is very different from other's dhamma class as each kid must be accompany by a parent and there are lots of activities are well planned to let us experience.Not merely theory.
The first lessons was regarding education.The Still Thoughts Aphorism learned was 'Do not do whatever you desired, but should always educate oneself'. Those volunteers performed a short performance to educate the kids about the rules of the class.These cracked lots of laughters whenever the kids observed those volunteer break the rules. Kids learned what they should and shouldn't do in a relax way.
In the movie regarding a paralysed man Ma Wen Zhong, whom have high mission despite his handicapped.He want to be a teacher for kids in his home town.He got to slide on a small stool and go to each house to beg their parents to let their kids have education. At first he managed to get few students.The students increasing slowly and his story was known by Tzu Chi Taiwan.Hence,Tzu Chi help him to build school there.It is via education, teacher Ma manage to change the destiny of the kids there.I that session, kids are asked to sit on a stool and moved around. It is to let them experience the suffering of Teacher Ma.Despite his difficulty to move around, he manage to achieved his dream.Our kids have learned that so long as there is a will, there will be a way.
Second lesson is on diligence and bamboo age.To educate the kids to save their extra pocket money in coin box made from bamboo.The money collected will be used for charity purposes. They will learn that by slowly accumulate small quantity of coins, they will get lots of coins eventually.Even though it is a very small good deed, it is worth doing.In the early formation years of Tzu Chi, each housewife and members are saving coins daily in coin box made from bamboo.The money have helped lots of poor and needy people in Taiwan and lots of places in the world.Each kids are given one bamboo coin box.They are suppose to save their extra pocket money and bring back at last lesson for charity purposes.
Third lesson we went to Taman Sinar Harapan, a mental retarded and handicapped centre in Kuala Kubu Bahru to give our great love.The Still Thoughts Aphorism learned were "It is indeed a blessing to be able to give our love.It is wise if we are able to reduce our anxiety."and "It really doesn't matter how much good deed we did, so long as the thing are what we are suppose to do, we must do it."Some kids were crying, some refuse to have contact with the residents there.Really, it is eye-opener for those first timer as the place can be described as 'hell in Earth'. Many of them are not mobile a they are physically and mentally retarded. Some are bed-ridden for life. However, as Tzu Chi people use to pay monthly visit there, the residents there can even sing Tzu Chi song and dance with it. Some also put their palm together and said '阿弥陀佛/A mi tho fo'.In the bus, a parent shared that he felt really contented and there is nothing lack in his life.Indeed, compare to them, we all appreciate whatever we have.
Fourth lesson is regarding to be filial piety to parents and control oneself and revive our old ancestor's teaching of having good manners. Firstly, children are told to put a balloon in their tummy and cover with an adult T-shirt, later they are required to do some house chores like mopping, cleaning table and tidying toys. Through this activity they will realize the hardship their mother need to go through during pregnancy.
All the kids are taught to bring a plate of 'kuih' to feed their father or mother.Before that they have to knelt down and show their gratitude to the parents.Also they promise to be a good child.My eyes starting to wet when I knew that my son would offer me food.My whole eye sight blurred when my son started to feed me.As I have never taught him to feed me before. Nothing I can utter, just remember I hug him tightly. During the sharing session,some parents said it was their first time to hug and kiss their kids.
Later, in a DVD show,we are taught by Master Cheng Yen that we should follow Western people's way, always tell our kids that we love them,also give them hug and kisses. This activity let me reflected that I never feed my own parents and never say 'I love you' to them too. According to a volunteer,Tzu chi every year also open for members to bring their parents to do the same thing.Lots of old parents are crying non-stop.
In fifth lesson, we are assigned to different recycling point to learn about importance and ways to recycle.We not only need to do environment recycling, we also need to do recycling in our inner self.Every thing is started from a determination, just like plant start from a seed.We are taught about things that can be recycled.(papers, glass, aluminium, old clothes,etc)
Why recycled is important and urgent?Due to global warming, our natural habitat was seriously effected. Those birds which use to fly down to warm countries during winter, did not do so as they don't feel the cold. Bears which use to hibernate during winter do not do so as the weather is not cold.They became so restless.
It is sad to know that lots of polar bears are dying. Due to global warming, the north pole iceberg are melting at high speed, hence there are big pools instead of ice land there.Usually once polar bear which dived into the water to find their prey, can easily climb up to ice land. But since the existence of big pools, many are died of exhaustion while finding ice land. Due to hard to find food, some even eat their own species.
Volunteers also presented a stage show to show what and why things need to be recycled.
In the sixth lesson, the theme is cooperation.Through the game called' relay of love'.Children learned that they need to cooperate with others so that can get the balls go into the pails.Another game is called the limp guide the blind.This is to let the kids feel the hardship that was underwent by a family, whom both parents have very poor eyesight. Really amazing that the mother still can cook and do house work,despite poor eyesight.
In the seventh lessons we are going to Jing -Si book and Cafe in Jalan Bukit Bintang to learn some art and craft.The Still Thoughts Aphorism learned was"those who manage their time well,sure will strive diligently to their aim of live"
In the last lessons, we are expose to charity and medical assistance provided by Tzu Chi. Before watching performance and movie on Kennan. Kids are required to experienced the difficulties underwent by him. 2 bottle of 1.5ml waters are put into a beg and tied to one of their leg.They need to walk down and up the stair case.Later, get over some obstacles.A performance started to describe he was having giant legs for 15 years after an accidents.All doctors told him he must have his leg amputated. However, Tzu Chi Hospital in Taiwan revive his hope of having his normal leg. Through series of operation, he got his normal leg back.He became Tzu chi volunteer later.
p/s:
No doubt the medium language used is Mandarin, but most of the slide got English translation. They are parents whom are English educated sending their kids there.Look at another point, it is good opportunity to learn Mandarin.Cost fee is RM180.
Tzu Chi have a series of classes that suit for anyone age 7 till university level.
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