Katy’s dispatch to World Journal (世界日報) reporting the Thanksgiving prayer by Tzu-Chi (慈濟)

You may read directly the online version.
http://www.worldjournal.com/view/wjnjpanews/12208084/article-%E5%8C%B9%E8%8C%B2%E5%A0%A1%E6%85%88%E6%BF%9F%E6%96%B0%E6%98%A5%E6%84%9F%E6%81%A9%E6%9C%83?instance=panews

Recently a year-end Thanksgiving prayer was held at the University of Pittsburgh by the Tzu-Chi Foundation, Pittsburgh Chapter; there were more than 300 people attended this ceremony. The report was published at the World Journal (世界日報) today (March 8).

The Lion Dance was provided by the students from Tzu-Chi Academy (慈濟人文學校), followed by the performance of sign language song of Little Buddha led by Chi-Hui (黃綺惠), Diabolo by male students, Mongolian Dance by female students and Peacock Dance all won the enthusiastic applause. Tzu-Chi sisters performed 古箏 (an ancient classic Chinese music instrument similar to zither) and sign language blessing.

A film was shown, showing the work done unrelentingly by Tzu-Chi Foundations all over the world the past 44 years that include disaster relief, education and environmental protection. Tzu-Chi volunteers demonstrated the household products and everyday clothing that are recycled from the plastic bottles. These products have been used as disaster relief material. The exhibitions also include the innovated environmental protection work of the Tzu-Chi Academy students.

The lovely Little Budda went up the stage to turn in the filled bamboo piggy bank and got a new one. The representatives from New Jersey and Philadelphia Tzu-Chi Foundations also attended the Thanksgiving blessing; all volunteers carried the “refreshment lights” (點心燈), the atmosphere was warm and touching.

The ceremony was closed with everyone receiving the red envelope of luck and enlightening given by Master Cheng-Yuan (證嚴法師) and the delicious delicacy refreshment box. It is the hope of Master Cheng-Yuan that the Tzu-Chi spirit can sprout and grow like the rice inside the red envelope and spread all over the word.

(The following is Katy’s dispatch.)

匹茲堡慈濟新春感恩會

【賓州匹茲堡訊】
March 08, 2011 06:00 AM

慈濟匹茲堡聯絡處日前於匹茲堡大學舉辦歲末感恩祈福活動，300多人參加。

匹茲堡人文學校的學生首先表演舞獅，接著黃綺惠帶領小菩薩們表演手語歌，男學生表演扯鈴，女學生表演「蒙古舞」、「孔雀舞」， 。慈濟師姐則表演古箏和手語祈福。

會中並觀賞慈濟影片，回顧世界各地慈濟分會在過去44年，不間歇地從事賑災救人、教育、環保等工作。志工則在會場展示慈濟以保特瓶再生材料製造的日常衣物與用品(都作為賑災救濟物)，亦展示匹茲堡學生的環保創意作品.

可愛的小菩薩們上台參加「竹筒歲月回娘家」─換新竹筒撲滿。在祈福會中，新澤西州、賓州費城和匹茲堡的慈濟志工帶領點心燈，氣氛溫馨感人。

最後每人收到來自證嚴法師的福慧紅包與該會精製的結緣品和點心盒，證嚴法師希望慈濟精神像紅包中的稻穗發芽茁壯，遍撒人間。(張瓊月)