Sister
Yang Shih-Jui, Dean of Studies at the renowned Taipei Municipal First
Girls’ Senior High School, and an educator with twenty-one years
of counseling experience, has come to realize the true meaning of
her career and family life through her spiritual pursuits and practice.
On Teachers’ Day 2002, sister Yang received the Taipei Excellent
Teacher Award in Guidance and Special Education. One might ask: How
does this exemplary educator of the country’s finest educational
institute find the source of power to balance spiritual practice and
mundane life? To answer this question, the Supreme Master Ching Hai
News conducted an exclusive interview with sister Yang, who is more
than happy to share her experiences with readers.
Cherishing
Blessings in Pursuing Her Ideals
"There
are several ways to teach people: Some seize the best opportunity
to educate like a timely rain; some transform students according to
their individual personalities so as to perfect their moral integrity."
These famous teaching ideals espoused by sister Yang are contained
in The Mencius (a foundational text of Confucianism). Her untiring
and persistent teaching, counseling and guidance, which are based
on her students’ needs and aptitudes, won her the Excellent Teacher
Award and high praise from Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (see photo).
About this special honor, Dean Yang said humbly, "For me, being
a teacher is the greatest honor and pleasure. I consider receiving
an award based on my work to be an ‘extra prize.’ It is my greatest
happiness to be able to help teenagers and excel along with them!"
The
teacher-student rapport and trust that Dean Yang has developed over
the years arise from her profound understanding and consideration
of the needs of others. "Dean Yang was the instructor for our
career guidance course and we learned a lot from her! She always wears
an amiable smile," said a second-year student at the High School.
"Whenever we see her, we want to run over and greet her loudly:
‘Hi, Dean Yang!’ I think it’s probably because she always puts
herself in our shoes and makes us feel she really understands us!"
Such sincerity and closeness between teacher and students are further
fruits of Dean Yang’s spiritual cultivation as she applies her spiritual
insights to make her counseling work more successful.
Enlightenment
from a Spiritual Teacher
Since
childhood, Dean Young has longed for the Truth. "I often wondered
if God heard my prayers," she said. "Were the stories in
the Bible true? Why did I still feel empty deep in my heart? I had
always hoped someone could give me the answer to these questions."
She also recalled, "Being raised in a Christian environment,
I enjoyed going to Sunday school and singing hymns. I had a very happy
childhood there. When I grew up, however, I found that it didn’t
satisfy me. Deep in my heart I was still filled with emptiness and
perplexity. In senior high school, as I studied history, I became
interested in Buddhist and Zen stories. But then another query perplexed
me: Why can’t Buddhism be compatible with Christianity? Once, when
I had already been a student advisor for a few years, I listened to
one of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s lectures, during which I was greatly
enlightened and realized that many different religions share the same
origins! Besides, at the same time I was deeply touched by Supreme
Master Ching Hai’s infinite love. I started my spiritual practice
from that time, and now, fourteen years has past."
For
a teacher who views education as her lifelong aspiration, Dean Yang
has an unusually deep understanding of and admiration for Supreme
Master Ching Hai’s selfless devotion and supreme benevolence. On
this topic, Dean Yang says, "I remember Master once saying that
She has had no Saturdays or Sundays since She became a Master. Because
Her disciples are more diverse and numerous than those of ordinary
teachers, She has to totally sacrifice Herself in order to satisfy
their needs. So She not only gives public lectures, offering tangible
teachings for us to understand and absorb intellectually, but also
instructs by example and practice, giving Her care and love according
to each disciple’s demands. And this is something that other teachers
cannot do. She offers us words of wisdom and meticulous concern that
no other teacher is capable of! She treats all disciples with the
greatest love. Her teachings, either in terms of verbal inspiration
or spiritual revelation, are all the best. Master’s spirit of altruistic
sacrifice and devotion is truly amazing!"
"I
still remember once after finishing a lecture, Master sincerely said
to the audience, "I’m leaving. If you’re a Buddhist, continue
to be a happy Buddhist. If you’re a Christian, be a happy Christian."
I was moved to tears by these words! Master’s broad-mindedness was
extraordinary. I could feel deeply that She was sincerely blessing
each of us, and was profoundly touched by Her love!"
Next
Page : Potential Tapped by Spiritual Practice and
Applications in Daily Work
