新山印度社群中的「道」

5/30/2020

馬來西亞國柔佛新山
印裔道親修辦軌跡

我想要對上天、我們的濟公老師、老前人、前人以及各位點傳師表達我最深的感激，讓我有這個機會可以分享關於新山印裔同胞求道與修辦的點點滴滴。
我的名字是姆拉力（Murali Subramaniam），於2017年3月15日我生日那天，在迦德佛堂求道。由朱講師鳳蘭引進並向我講解了什麼是「道」。開釋道義時，我的直覺告訴我，這就是我來這趟人生旅程的目的。兩天後，我的兩個孩子也求得這先天大道。今天我可以很光榮地說：「我們是道化家庭！」。

改變生命的殊勝傳道

柔佛州新山第一屆淡米爾法會在2014年。邀請了從印度遠道而來的Velmurugan講師（現在已成為點傳師），Ganapathy講師，Revathy講師,Kandasamy Amaravathi講師和Geetha講師來為我們的印裔同胞法會傳題。
2017年5月27至28日是新山淡米爾法會的日期，但正好碰上先前計劃26日至30日的家庭旅行，所以我們選擇參加檳城高淵，於2017年5月20日所舉辦的淡米爾法會。
我非常享受法會的課題，它讓我了解人生的真諦，與此同時激發起我想要積極投入修辦的心。當法會結束時，我取消了我們的旅遊，並且邀請我的大兒子參加法會。我認為參與法會比旅行來得更具意義。法會後，我也積極成全邀請一些印裔同胞來求道和參加法會。
近幾年來，我們會舉辦2至3次淡米爾法會。每年都能成全將近300位的印裔同胞一同踏上白陽法船。不管是在新山、吉隆坡還是新加坡的法會，我們都會盡所能給予最大的護持，也嘗試舉辦馬來語為媒介的法會。感謝萬仙菩薩護佑、陳點傳師慈悲，如今印族同胞們有了修辦的平台，並且成立獻供小組，學習整體帶動，集體領導。

多語言的研究班課程

我們都有在各處佛堂,如：迦德佛堂（英語）、志德佛堂和銘德佛堂（馬來語跟淡米爾語）、還有美德佛堂（馬來語），設立不同語言的5年進修班。
除此之外，為了鼓勵道親常回佛堂參與本壇的活動，成為崇德志工，增強使命感。我們會邀約他們參與初一十五、仙佛紀念日獻供和辦道庶務。
進修班的課程也提升了印裔道親對道的體悟、其中有「認識道場」、「克服修道障礙」、「論語」、「道真理真天命真的見證」、「佛規禮節」等課程。
每一年，道親們皆參加一年一度的年終謝恩，並且立願成為辦事人員、講員、副壇主或壇主、部分前賢也立了清口願。

台灣朝聖之旅

2019年5月3日，我和 Gunanesan兄參加了台灣訪道之旅。我們是新山首次參與訪道之旅的印裔道親。
在這次旅程里，我學習和感受到很多，關於師尊師母開創道務犧牲奉獻的精神。當我參觀前人紀念館時，我的眼淚不知不覺掉了下來。當下，我更加篤定，我必須完成不休息菩薩祂老的願景和使命。通過簡樸的生活環境就能體現出，我們的白水聖帝對於社會的關愛與美德。
如今，我們很慶幸生於道傳萬國九州的時代，是因為天恩師德浩瀚，前人輩無私無我的犧牲奉獻，才能讓芸芸眾生有機會求道，並且了悟人生真諦。我們必須跟著老前人、前人的腳步，學習前人輩的修辦精神，更要渡化更多有緣佛子求道，才能報答天恩。

一個真正的社群

在迦德佛堂，我們為即將應考的學生舉辦讀書祈福禮。過程中，有個特別的儀式是讓學子為父母浴足，以得到父母的祝福，接著家長與孩子一同求道作為祈福。參加後大家對於活動中體現孝順的美德感到非常感動與欣慰。在天恩師德的庇佑下，所有的學生也成功考取了優良的成績（全體與會的學生都在學業成績中取得顯著的進步）。我們也設立數學、歷史課程輔助班，來幫助學生們。
我們也會特別為生病的道親舉辦誦經祈福會。2019年11月21日，我動了一個心臟手術。所有道親都在手術前到手術後，一起為我祈福誦經。在天恩師德護佑和前賢們的祝福下，我在50天里迅速完全康復。醫生說我無需複診，也不會有複發的狀況。我覺得太棒了！
現在，我非常珍惜生命的每一刻，因為我明白了人生短暫，我們更應該珍惜當下，活在當下。就算我只剩下一天，這一天就是光明的一天；就算是生命剩下十分鐘我也要渡人，因為生命有限慧命無限，感謝天恩師德！

新山道務中心開幕典禮

我們有幸參與2019年12月28日《新山道務中心》成立大會。所有的迦德和志德道親跨越種族與信仰的障礙，一同跳出了「一個馬來西亞」（1 Malaysia Dance）舞蹈。帶出多元種族的文化，體現各民族和睦共處的繁盛景象「馬來西亞之亞洲魅力所在」
（ Malaysia Truly Asia）

慶祝農曆新年

華人農曆新年，我們也參與新春團圓飯的歡慶活動，我很榮幸成為第一個扮演財神的印裔人士。這個活動讓我們對於中華文化傳統習俗有更深入的了解。

Zoom 線上課程：學習不能因疫情而停止

疫情期間，我們一星期進行2次Zoom線上研究班, Velmurugan點傳師與印度的講師為我們傳題「佛規禮節」、「認識自我與角色扮演」、「十五條佛規」，也邀請新山、吉隆坡、巴生、印度與台灣的前賢一同研究道學。
我們的道親也踴躍參與線上誦經祈福迴向，希望這場疫情可以儘快平息。

印度傳道領導團隊

在點傳師的慈悲指導下，2020年的目標，匯聚所有印裔人才操辦法會和開設人才培訓班。感謝陳點傳師、林點傳師還有宋點傳師一直以來默默支持與指導我們。我們希望未來印裔族群在能力上越來越提升，法會上表現的越來越出色。
最後，感謝諸天仙佛、萬仙菩薩、老前人、前人大德、點傳師慈悲及全體前賢厚愛。因為有你們，印裔道親才能有學、修、講、辦、行的平台。
我們一起發心了愿來完成白陽弟子的使命，就是報答天恩師德最佳的方法。

感恩並恭祝安康

姆拉力（Murali Subramaniam）
迦德佛堂

Tao in the Indian Community of Johor Bahru

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the grace of Heaven, the virtues of our Holy Teachers, Grand Senior Elder, Senior Elder, and the mercy of our Tao Transmitting Masters for giving me the opportunity to share Tao in the Indian community.
My name is Murali Subramaniam. I received the great Tao on my birthday at Jia De Temple on 15th March 2017. I was introduced by Lecturer Florence Choo. I was told this was my life’s purpose and journey. My two children received Tao two days later. I am proud to say, “My family is a Tao family!”

A Life-Changing Holy Sermon

Johor Bahru first held a holy sermon in Tamil, an Indian dialect, in 2014. Lecturers were invited from India including: then-Lecturer Velmurugan (now a Tao Transmitting Master), Lecturer Ganapathy, Lecturer Revathy, Lecturer Kandasamy Amaravathi and Lecturer Geetha. The sermon made me realize the purpose of my life. I returned home, cancelled the holiday, and asked my elder son to attend the sermon in Johor Bahru, because it was more valuable than a vacation. Afterwards, I introduced many Indians to receive Tao and attend sermons. There are 2-3 Tamil holy sermons held yearly, with more than 300 Indian brothers and sisters receiving Tao every year in Johor Bahru. We support the sermons organized by the Johor Bahru, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur Tao Societies, including one in the Malay language. With Heaven’s blessings and Tao Transmitting Master Chan’s merciful support, our Indian community formed a holy sermon team.

Multilingual Tao Study Classes

We attend the 5-year Tao study classes at Jia De Temple in English, Zhi De Temple and Ming De Temple in Malay with Tamil, and Mei De Temple in Malay.
Indian Tao members are encouraged to volunteer in temple. They participate in many temple rituals such as lunar offerings and Tao receiving rituals.
Classes increase Tao knowledge in our Indian communities, especially with topics like Knowing the Tao Community, Overcoming Obstacles in Tao Cultivation, and the Analects of Confucius.
Every year, many make vows to become temple volunteers, dharma preachers, assistant temple hosts, and temple hosts. Some make the vegetarian vow.

Pilgrimage Trip to Taiwan

On 5th-9th May 2019, Brother Gunanesan and I joined a pilgrimage trip to Taiwan, being the first Indian representatives from Johor Bahru.
I understood more of our Patriarch and Matriarch’s dedication in Tao propagation. I could not control my tears at Senior Elder’s resting place, realizing I had to continue Never-Resting Bodhisattva’s mission. Our Grand Senior Elder’s virtues can be seen through his simple lifestyle.
We are grateful and fortunate to be born during a time of universal Tao propagation. Without Holy Teachers’ sacrifices, many would not be able to receive Tao and know the true meaning of life. To show our gratitude, we must follow the footsteps of Grand Senior Elder and Senior Elder, cultivate ourselves, and propagate Tao.

A True Community

In Jia De Temple, there were special rituals for students preparing for academic exams. Students received their parents’ blessings by washing their parents’ feet, reflecting upon their parents’ love for them. Everyone received Tao, having been greatly touched by the filial piety act. With Heaven’s blessings, every student had excellent testing results with outstanding improvements.
We hold special prayers and sutra chanting sessions during critical times. On 21st November 2019, I had open-heart bypass surgery. Everyone prayed for me before, during, and after the surgery. Due to Heaven’s blessings and the prayers, I recovered quickly within 50 days. The doctor informed me of my full recovery and NO need for follow ups. Now, I feel great.
I appreciate every moment now because life is short - I need to cherish it. For every day of life, there is one day of brightness. If I only have ten minutes left, but used it to preach Tao, then my kindness and merits are infinite.

The Inaugural Ceremony of Johor Bahru Tao Center

We participated in the inaugural gala on 28th December 2019. Every Jia De and Zhi De Temples’ brother and sister, regardless of ethnicity and language, participated in the “1 Malaysia Dance” performance. It showed our harmonious multiethnic culture -

Malaysia Truly Asia.
Chinese New Year Celebration

The Indian community always supported and participated in Chinese New Year celebrations, which are great opportunities to learn more about the culture. I was proud and blessed to be the first Indian Cai Shen, the Deity of Wealth.

Zoom Meetings: Learning Mustn’t Stop with COVID-19

Tao study classes are now held twice a week on Zoom, where Tao Transmitting Master Velmurugan and lecturers from India share many topics. We invite our Indian brothers and sisters from Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Klang, India, and Taiwan to join these classes.
We join in chanting sessions, hoping that the COVID-19 pandemic can be alleviated as soon as possible.

Indian Tao Leadership Team

With the mercy of Tao Transmitting Masters, we gathered Tao seniors from the Indian Tao community to plan sermons and organize leadership training. We would like to thank Tao Transmitting Master Chan, Tao Transmitting Master Albert Lim, and Tao Transmitting Master Soong for their support. We hope the Indian Tao community can be strong and competent in leading future sermons.
Thanks to Heaven, Grand Senior Elder, Senior Elder, Tao Transmitting Masters, lecturers, and senior Tao brothers and sisters. Because of you, Indian brothers and sisters have a platform to learn, cultivate, preach and practice Tao. Let us work together and fulfill our vows, which is the best way to show Heaven our deep gratitude.

Shared by Temple Host Murali Subramaniam
Jia De Temple, Johor Bahru, Malaysia