14th March 18 7th - Visiting Tai Chi Class

  Visiting Tai Chi Class

As a Sports Science student, it was interesting for me and my teammate to visit a Tai Chi class and understand the philosophy behind its movement, not only in Tao aspect but also seeing it as a martial arts.

We learnt some basic movements or Tai Chi that I want to spend some time to talk about it. First one is the ready posture of Tai Chi, basically is the find balance among yourself and also to relax. Then we learnt 4 moves, that I will try to describe them in English,

1st - To hold your opponent by hold wrist and armpit.

2nd - To control your opponent by twisting those mention arm part.

3rd - Try to bring your opponent to ground.

4th - To push off your opponent.

Those are pretty much all details of the moves that I can remember, and mastering it is very very hard. But it is quite an exciting experience, that I thought Tai Chi is usually movement for body health but in facts, it can be a martial arts if you practice it in another. Although I might not be in a Tai Chi class in the foreseeable future, this site visit experience already changed my view toward Tai Chi.

Author: Jonas Luk

14th March 18 - 6th - Visiting Ching Chung Care and Attention Home for the Aged

Visiting Ching Chung Care and Attention Home for the Aged

This was the first time that I visit a elderly home and overall it was quite a unique experience.At 14th March, we went to Ching Chung Care and Attention Home for the Aged around 2:30pm, they just finished their lunch while we arrived and we spend an afternoon there with them.All of our participants were women, around 20 of them and, some of them were energetic.

Fisrt, we introduced ourselves and the first gaming session was "guess the song", it was basically to let them guess the name of the song but listening to a small part of the song. Some of the others have performed a few song to elderlies.After the warm up session, one of our schoolmate ha brought a long guitar with her and soang a lot of famous songs from the old days, such as <甜蜜蜜>，<慢步人生路>. She also taught elderlies to sing some english songs, such as 'Let it be', she encouraged them to sing together.It made the atmosphere become more warm.

 

 

Then, here comes to our part, we had designed a game session for them to answer some simple question and rewarded them mini cakes. The battle was between 3-4 granny that were relatively energetic. After all it was quite a fun session.

Last but not least, we went to the graden and talk to some of them. They shared their daily life and even their stories to us.Listen their life story made me understand them a lot.

Although their response to out program were not as expected, I still feel happy to meet them and to spend time with them, because as they said they do not used to have so many youth around them and life were somehow boring there. If I have a chance to be there again, I will definitely be there again.


Author: Jonas Luk

13th March 18 5th – Visit to Ling Wan Monastery, Kam Tin

"Kwun Yum Treasury festival" at Ling Wan Monastery, Kam Tin

(Group photo with Bhikkhuni Shi Yan Ti)

On 13^th March 2018, which also the 26^th day of the first lunar month, is one of traditional custom “Kwun Yum Treasury festival” (Chinese: 觀音開庫) begins on that day. Worshippers think that they can borrow some imaginary money from goddess of mercy Kwun Yum in order to seeking good fortune. Ling Wan Monastery opened for worshippers at 4:30am to start the ceremony early because of their convenience. So that some loyal worshippers could come early for “borrowing” before their own duties.

Besides, the most valuable session on that day was enjoying the “special meal” (Chinese: 過堂飯). All food was for vegetarian and they were quite delicious. Furthermore, all worshippers should keep quiet except the Bhikkhuni (Chinese: 比丘尼). We can keep a peace of mind, good health and respecting during the whole meal. We also recited some

Buddhist scriptures before we have started our meal.

(Our vegetarian diet and Buddhist scriptures)

Ling Wan Temple not only one of the ancient temple, but also the first institute of Buddhist studies for female. It provided a place for meditation, say mess for people and chanting. On the other hand, I really appreciate them that they put the priority on greening and eco-friendly for worshipping. Using flowers and fruits to replace incineration of candle. Thus, protecting environment to keep fresh air and become naturally one.

(Environment in Ling Wan Monastery)

Author: Matthew Li