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

TZU CHI 131 27 applicable beyond Chinese classes. When students had disputes, she would quote the aphorism, “Kind words are like pure lotus flowers, mean words are like poisonous snakes.” Surprisingly, the students stopped swearing. Sometimes, when students were lazy and reluctant to do their homework, she would say, “Do more, gain more; do less, lose more,” and explain, “Study diligently, and the knowledge is yours. If you don’t, you forfeit increasing your knowledge!” Sometimes, Tai Dea would forget to copy an aphorism in her rush to finish the lesson. Unexpectedly, the children would remind her in unison, “Teacher, you haven’t written an aphorism yet!” Some students would then write their favourite aphorisms at the bottom of their exercise books. Tai Dea said with satisfaction, “Some children are so mindful that they would draw cute little pictures next to the aphorisms they wrote!” Tai Dea always carries with her a Jing Si aphorism booklet, which she had also used to counsel a child with less desirable behaviour. She recalled, “He was not my student, but a Great Love Mother asked him to see me. His worried mother also requested me to talk to him.” After knowing the child, Tai Dea discovered that the child was naughty but teachable. She would end their meetings by asking the child to say a number, and get him to copy Jing Si aphorisms on that particular page. “The first aphorism was, ‘The sun is bright, our parents’ kindness is immeasurable; a gentleman shows great forbearance, an ignoble is petty and intolerant.’ I told him that the sun radiates and nourishes everything on earth, while parents nurture and are kind to us. So, we should not let our parents worry. Also, we must be a magnanimous gentleman and never an ignoble.” For half a year before his graduation, the child often went to Tai Dea to copy Jing Si aphorisms, and his behaviour improved. Now in secondary school, he would seek and greet Tai Dea whenever he returned to his alma mater. To quote a Jing Si aphorism, “Changing oneself is saving oneself, influencing others is saving others.” Besides encouraging her students with the aphorisms, Tai Dea also learns and grows together with them. She said, “I dare not say the harvest is plentiful but sown seeds will definitely germinate. This is what I anticipate.” Jing Si Aphorism Teaching adopted in TCISKL In 2020, Tzu Chi International School Kuala Lumpur (TCISKL) officially opened for classes, and Jing Si Aphorism Teaching Method was fully implemented. Lee Geok Cheng, cadre member of Tzu Chi KL & Selangor’s Mission of Education, informed that the school will share a Jing Si aphorism before the end of the weekly assembly, besides making the aphorisms part of the school bell. Moreover, the five-stage Jing Si Aphorism Teaching is applied in the bi- weekly Humanistic Culture lessons. “For example, the lesson design might get the children to squeeze into tents to experience the pain of caged animals, and then watch a video showing how animals are treated, to cultivate their compassion and hence, learn to be kind to animals.” Geok Cheng related that there is no fixed textbook for the Humanistic Culture lessons. Jing Si Aphorisms – Universal Language for a Good Life