College and Department of Buddhist Studies, FGU

example 3 of Student Report

I began my 15 hours of altruistic practice the day after I arrived here in Fo Guang University. I chose to volunteer in the lower teahouse because I have a Filipino friend who works there, and she is also a student of FGU.

Volunteering in the teahouse was both a challenge and a learning experience for me. It is because the people who work in the teahouse don’t speak English, and the Menu and orders are all in Chinese. At first, I struggled from familiarizing the Chinese characters in the menu and the appropriate plate for each order. Often, I also forget some ingredients in certain dishes, and I have to ask from time to time. But later, I was able to remember the tasks that I needed to accomplish. It did not only help me learn and improve my cooking skills but also enhanced my Mandarin.

Working in a completely new environment is challenging not only because it is a new experience to undertake but mostly because of the language barrier. There is always a communication gap due to language barriers and it’s very crucial in a working environment. But I am grateful that the people who work in the teahouse are kind and understanding.
I have spent more than 20 hours doing voluntary work and at the end, my hard work and altruistic intention paid off. I was able to continue my job in the teahouse not as a volunteer but a part-time worker. Of course, my intention of volunteering in the teahouse was not based on the virtue of merits and Karma but purely altruistic practice. For me, volunteerism is another way of building connections and affinity to others. Giving, be it in material possessions, kind words, or efforts, must be done with the purest intention without expecting anything in return. This is the true essence of giving or altruism for me.
From time to time, I still go to the teahouse to volunteer whenever Shifu needs my help during my free time. Also, she gave me an opportunity to have a part-time job in the teahouse. 

Knowing the Culture of Taiwan Through Visiting Museums

Friday-November 8, 2024, me and my other friends visited two museums in Yilan together to explore and learn more about the Taiwanese people and their culture. Such a visit to the museum was a meaningful encounter, offering us a glimpse of the profound, diverse, and rich cultural heritage of Taiwan. I was struck by the sense of familiarity of the history, traditional culture and heritage of Taiwan through seeing the various artifacts, craftmanship, and traditional tools which are very similar to the Philippines. As I encountered different exhibits while walking through the halls, I felt the pride of belongingness as the evocative display of creative arts reminded me of how deeply connected we are as human beings.

These photos resonated most for me throughout my exploration inside the museum. The offering to the sea indicates the deep connection of humans and its ocean. According to the exhibits, the traditional people of Taiwan offer a prayer ceremony with some material as an exchange value to the gifts of the sea. This denotes the human relation with the nature it lives in. This practice reminded me of our practice in the province. When I was young, I used to help my parents in our farm. And after the abundant harvest of corn and other crops, we always make an offering in our house-altar to express gratitude with the blessings we received.  
Another important aspect that made me feel connected to the cultural heritage of Taiwan is the traditional way of living. The exhibition of traditional tools, houses, and clothing are telling a story that deeply connects me with my own cultural heritage and to that of Taiwanese culture and traditions.  It was a great reminder for people to see interconnectedness in humanity regardless of race, skin color, and religion.

We also have visited a small yet rich in historical significance in Taiwan which is the Japanese museum. It was just a simple exhibit inside a small museum but there were so much worthy of attention. All description in the exhibit were in Japanese and Chinese so I only understand few in the texts. But looking at the craftmanship, artifacts, and pictures, I could see the contribution of Japanese in Taiwan.

As I recall when I was studying in Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University, I have met a Taiwanese friend their who also studied for a short-term program. From him, I have learned that the Japanese have contributed a lot in Taiwan’s agriculture and economy. He said that the Japanese helped to develop agricultural infrastructure like water irrigation system and canals to ensure stability in agriculture. Additionally, he mentioned that the Japanese introduced advance technique in farming through developing variety of rice and crops to increase productivity.

Based on this story, I would say that the contribution of the Japanese in Taiwan’s agriculture and economy was enormous. Looking back to the Philippines as one of the Japanese colonies, I can also say that the Japanese have contributed to our history in different aspect. Despite of the horrible event that happened at that time, there’s a bright side to look at. During the Japanese era was the rise of Philippine literature. In this period, the language has shifted wherein English was suppressed and the theme in literature honored Filipino people's resilience and patriotism.

Visiting the museum in Yilan did not only introduce me to a profound history and tradition of Taiwan but also deepened my understanding of its cultural roots. I hope that during this globalized period, people will protect their historical heritage and ensure that their culture and traditions will never be forgotten. Lastly, may looking back to our origin reminds us how deeply connected we are to each other and will be able to embrace diversity and uniqueness in our shared humanity.