The world of Tzu Chi February 2021(Vol.131)

TZU CHI 131 25 By Yap Chai Hoon Teaching of Jing Si aphorisms The plain and easy-to-understand Jing Si aphorisms contain the principles of life. They have been brought into schools by teachers from the Tzu Chi Teachers’ Association and Great Love Mothers to inspire kindness in children. In the process, the adults also learn and grow together with the children. I n 1994, many Malaysian educators experienced the beauty of Jing Si aphorisms from members of the Taiwan Tzu Chi Teachers’ Association, who flew to Malaysia for the first time to share about the Jing Si Aphorism Teaching Method, and were moved by Tzu Chi’s educational philosophy. This led to the establishment of Tzu Chi Teachers’ Association in Malacca and KL & Selangor in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Since then, the Teachers’ Associations have been established one after another across Malaysia. Its members from the Central and Southern regions of Malaysia had also organized several trips to Taiwan to learn from their counterparts. Back from Taiwan with experience and knowledge, these kind and caring teachers incorporated Jing Si aphorisms into their teaching, focusing their hearts on the students. They set examples, with hope to start a trend in their respective campuses and influence more people. For more than 20 years, the teachers have been invited to schools to give seminars on Jing Si Aphorism Teaching Method. They also hold regular sharing sessions with like-minded teachers, besides organizing various competitions, such as sign language performance, essay writing and storytelling competitions, to gradually implement the teaching of Jing Si aphorisms in schools. The purpose is not to spread religious teachings, but rather, the proper principles of conducting oneself and handling affairs in daily life; and most importantly, to evoke the love in the teachers and allow the children to learn and develop themselves in a caring environment. Over two decades of Jing Si aphorism teaching Thanks to the teachers’ efforts, many Chinese primary school principals have recognized and affirmed the teaching of Jing Si aphorisms. For example, in 2010, Cheak Wei Ying, then principal of SJK(C) Kampung Baru Ampang, introduced Jing Si Aphorism Teaching Method, Great Love Mothers and environmental education into her school. Likewise, retired principal Lim Choy Kim actively promoted Jing Si aphorisms in his school, SJK(C) Salak South, during his tenure. In a general environment that focused on grades and scores, he insisted in giving every child an equal opportunity to education. In 2012, Tan Sieu Jon, then principal of SJK(C) Batang Kali, also started to promote Jing Si aphorisms in her school. She said, “We hope to nurture all-rounded citizens with virtue, wisdom, physical fitness, social skills and aesthetic sense. The humanistic quality of students is particularly important. Delivery of knowledge and character building must go hand in hand.” Jing Si Aphorisms – Universal Language for a Good Life