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Friday, May 28, 2010

An Outstanding Doctor I Met

An Outstanding Doctor I Met

The second week at Tzu Chi Hospital, I chose and posted at chinese medicine department. Why am I chose chinese medicine? Firstly, I can't learn chinese medicine in UM, I am curious about chinese med as traditional chinese medical concept of health care had been powerful implanted in our daily living as a chinese, the most prominent point is drinking bottles and bottles of water. All the chinese will bring bottles of water to school since we started our formal education. Secondly, learning something new is always my practice in life which i thought that we have to learn multidiscipline just like in our daily life, we are a father, mother, son, daughter, friend, lover, student, teacher, leader, etc.... Yea.. We are like a computer which can perform multitask like core 2 duo, core 2 quad... Human for sure is much much better than electrical computer. Then, i am a "traditional" person or other said that i am like old uncle, i prefer historical sites other than natural scenes which others won't.

On the first day i went to chinese med department/clinic, a man which i would describe he like 'doraemon' with a warmth and sincere smiles on the face, looked chubby but should not say he is fat, yes.. that is what i would like to say although my words sound weird. Half of the hair is white amongst the black, definitely a very friendly and benign person which i felt very comfortable to go along with him. Just from the first insight, he is a wonderful doctor. The man i described above is the director of chinese med dept.

From the first day i enter chinese med dept, he treated me with local Hualien sweet potato cookies and milk mixed with Malawi coffee, the second day a diary, the third with Italian coffee with fresh milk, the fourth day was ice-cream, the last day was toasted red tea. So, for the whole week i at chinese med, i was enjoying the gifts with him and knowledge regarding acupunture from him. Believe or not, in the whole week, i have pricked more than 150 needles on the patients. But, not sure that whether the needles pricked were effective or wasted. So great, at least i have learnt something about acupuncture and he is the expert in the field.

I am regreted that i am not choosing chinese med for the whole 3 weeks in Tzu Chi Hospital. If not learning something, at least will get some food, drinks or like last year seniors they were treated to attend the annual dinner of chinese med dept prior to the chinese new year. Hahaa..

He is an easy-going person who in certain situation, others may say he has no idea or no principle. From my observation, the person without 'principle' is always a person with lots of friends, friendly, and happy, because he can tolerate everything others can't tolerate and bear all the troubles from the situations. However, i think that have own principle is equally important with 'no principle'. So, achieving balance between these two categories is vital... Hence, this nice man sure has his own principles in life which i have not observed in my elective posting in chinese medicine department.

1/1/2008

Travel to Rueisuei

Travel to Rueisuei

The first Sunday at Hualien, Taiwan, we travelled to Rueisuei area, a small town or village south to Hualien city. A simple, plain and calm town with breathtaking natural scenes. We took train there which spends an hour to arrive there. Along the rail way is East Coast Valley of Taiwan with beautiful mountains, plantations, rivers.... The valley along the journey was surrounded by mountainous hills in both sides.

We rented a taxi which brought us around the area and back to Hualien. Before this, ignorantly, i thought to rent a bicycle to go round the area. Luckily not, on the taxi, i only knew that the planned spots were far from each other. Maybe i can bear it; others may bring back to Hualien due to leg cramp. Just kidding k? Don't be angry if you (my elective partners) see my blog. Just like the humorous taxi driver said that, we can ride bicycle but after ride to the first spot, the underwear will be soaked by sweats.

We went to a farm with cow and sell dairy products which are my favourite. My most favourite drink is from cow, so i won't miss the chance to buy the dairy product. Estimated for this whole year i have consumed more than 8kg of milk powder. That is the milk that accompanied me during my study life. For sure i won't get
osteoporosis in my older life.

Later were the historical sites which like Stonehenge. But this "Stonehenge" in Taiwan is much smaller. Then, was the monument of The Tropic Of Cancer which is 23.5 degree longitude on the earth. The mark is like an octopus.

The main destination for the trip was hot spring which Taiwan is famous for. It is an enjoyable time in the hot spring. However, not everybody likes it. For me it will be the first and last time to soak in the hot spring for the sake of time and money saving.

Huh... my wallet had broken after the travelled for the whole day... More than RM150 (NTD1550) was spent. I am the top listed, because i bought an expensive tea which claimed the world-top red tea. Used up parents' money and brought them some nice thing, isn't a nice son?

27/12/2007

Taiwan Day 1 - 5

Taiwan, Day 1-5

After i had struggled 1 month for my final phase IIIA exam, luckily I passed... should said lucky because I not getting the pediatrics case or malignant examiner esp from paed department, if not, big probably I will do my remedial classes in UMMC. However, efforts is the must to pass the exam definitely... yaa... I m quite sure, for this exam I had put a lot of efforts, if in the SPM I should get 20 1A already... but in the medical examination, u will be very happy and satisfy even u just pass the exam. This is the level of difficulty the medical students in my faculty described the hardness of the examination.

On 16 Dec, the flight of Eva Air took 6 of us to Taiwan airport from KLIA, the other 2 fellows went by Jet Star from Changi airport. This is the 1st time I have a ride on a much better airline than the lousy Airasia flight. 4 and a half hours flight was comfortable and enjoyable with wonderful dinner and lots of entertainment, e.g movies, games, music, etc...

After we reached Tao Yuan international airport, we were greeted by uncles from Tzu Chi Tao Yuan, and we have a good night at Tzu Chi Tao Yuan after a delicious supper from aunty there. Tzu Chi peoples were really warm-haearted and friendly. Early in the next morning, we were brought to Tao Yuan railway station where we will take our train to Hualien. The railway system in Taiwan is really advanced and the station was congested with crowds of people even early in 7am. The journey to Hualien took 4 hours. The weather at Taiwan was not as cold as I thought, however, it was always cloudy and makes people depressed, and the weather is moody too. The rain here is not heavy like Malaysia; it is pin point droplets of rain. In this point, I love Malaysia's weather.

On the same day, we checked in our rooms in one unit. The unit was well equipped with fridge, washing machine, heater, air cond, TV, etc... Well, we only have to pay NTD9 per day which equal to RM1, woww!! Money will be used to eat, eat and eat then defecate, this is what the entire human like to do and enjoy very much. Am I right?

I started my posting in Tzu Chi general hospital haemato-oncological ward for the first week which I will get my data for my elective project. Tzu Chi hospital is a five star hospital if in Malaysia. The hospital is slightly bigger than UMMC. The hospital is well equipped with advanced imaging machine which may not available in UMMC which I thought is five star hospitals in Malaysia, such as PET scan (positron emission tomography).
The medical course at Taiwan is using American system which may use 7 years to complete the medical degree. Hence the, the 6th and 7th year was called intern which similar to houseman in Malaysia.

All the citizens in the country have bought health insurance under government scheme, hence, they may receive free medical service or only minimum charge of the service have to be paid especially the drugs. So, what I saw here, the doctors will order A to Z investigations for their patients without definite indication, even the consultant will do that!! Imagine if I do it at UM in front of my lecture i will be bombed terribly. Anyway, this may be the different between American and British system.

We had borrowed bicycles from Tzu Chi Occupational College. Bicycle is the main transport for us to search for food and travel around the city. Hualien is a city size like Penang or Ipoh. However, it is cleaner and tidy. I can't find any rubbish bin along the street; I can't either see any rubbish along the road. I can see rubbish bins by the road or street, the rubbish is along the street too. Sigh....

At haemto-oncology ward, i only manage to get two cases for my elective project which focus on the management and approaches on the febrile neutropenia after chemotherapy in leukemic patients. Huh... the case notes were really difficult to read as I am not adapted to the way they "type" the case notes. Have to mention that the hospital is more computerized than UMMC. The interns and residents have to type the admission notes, so most of the time they will spend the whole day in front of the computer rather than patients. However, the case notes were much more complete than the Malaysians; most of our HO may just write 2 to 3 sentences as the chief complaint and history of presenting illness.

The doctors will present the case by using Mandarin however the case notes and lab reports may in English or bilingual. Luckily I have a good grasp in Mandarin if not it is really hard to understand some medical terms they used in Mandarin. The medical students learned managements earlier than mine, they will be able to prescribe drug during their internship. However, I possessed a better understanding of basic clinical knowledge than them. Their physical examination technique were lousy, they should be stunted if you are able to present the full system examination in front of them. Hence, I still believe that the medical education of UM is still in front of the stream because our system is like building a pyramid, the base is wide, the peak is narrow. Every learning process should be like that, the stronger the basic knowledge you have, the firmer your understanding and application of the knowledge. Yea... young man, be pragmatic, success is from efforts and endurance.

20/12/2007

研修营心得--阿含传来的讯息

第十二届全国大专佛法研修班 沈至恒

大学已经是最后一年了,没有参加过全营,静七或研修班。这一年的研修班就刚好落于我全年唯一一个星期的假期,所以就决定报名参加了。哈哈,也很感恩这“殊胜”的因缘。真巧,我就在这一个星期有空。就这样我五年来第一次的“全营/静七/研修班” 在这个星期实现了。回想之前,有妙喜的朋友告诉我关于研修班的时候,已经是两三个月前的事了,查了查学校的时间表,我不多考虑就在接下来的两个星期后报名了。当时,我还是兴致勃勃地期待研修班的课题,因为是谈《阿含经》,主题是“阿含传来的讯息”,一部我在来营之前知道是偏重于第一义悉檀,多谈解脱法的经典,还不知在几时听过或读过,如要研读经典,应从《阿含经》下手,也晓得它是部很重要的原始经典。况且,我个人也比较喜欢一些较深入的佛法,毕竟,之前所掌握的佛法太浅了。最主要还是对《阿含经》有一定的兴趣,主讲师父还是我之前跟了课程的继持师父,对师父的弘法及所展现的身表有着信心与熟悉。

这也是我第一次到怡保般若岩。唉!当了四年大学生,在最后一年才有因缘来这里参加课程。第一天的课程,静坐,竟坐得昏昏沉沉,都在不时地“钓鱼”,我前面的学员干脆直接扑在地上睡觉,还发出超大声的鼾声,够力!我静坐的时候完全不能很好的收摄身心把专注用在用功上,还不断地张开眼睛东张西望,竟发现有不少人在“钓鱼”。我想到好多人,当然包括我,平时都没有修行的习惯,或平时的生活忙碌紊乱,所以才会出现在静坐的种种状况。我已经是第三次听师父讲“佛法与生命结合”的课。发现到师父在谈佛法时几乎每个课程与静坐都会谈到相关的内容。终于现在才很深深地体会到师父的用心。因为佛法是不离身心的,在上课时,了解学佛必须解行并重,佛法是与修行息息相关的,把佛法离开生命、身心而谈而行之,已经是乖离了学佛的根本意趣,也误解及辜负佛陀的本怀了。想回自己平时竟没下功夫去修行,也真惭愧。也难怪学佛了这么一段时间,也不能有心力地将所学的法应用在日常生活,离苦得乐的道上。回到大学应该将修行当成每天的功课,并调整平时的生活作息,才不至于将这色身搞得疲劳不堪。

来到这儿,发现在身边的师兄们尤其是那些“社会人士”或已年过半百的uncle, aunty们都很精进学佛。也真令我感到自己的不足,亦心生惭愧。前一两天,师父所讲的课都听了很多遍的,但是发现到自己在学佛的道路上还是原地踏步。尤其是在佛法的掌握上,修行更甭说了。身为一个弘法人员的我在讲课上还不能有所突破,我想这也是我参加这次研修班的动机之一。

静坐时不知怎么的发现到妄念纷飞,还发现到有了这些妄念,整个人不会有昏沉,反而更有精神,真糟糕!如果专心在用功上,反而不到十分钟就开始失去“认知”了。静坐让我很明确地认识到意念是可以被自己的心力与念力驾驭的,如果去放纵它,它就好像一批发疯的野马在狂奔,我们凡夫也就很喜欢放纵自己的身口意,进而启动了一轮又一轮的“缘起”,沉迷于一时的欲乐,殊不知自己的放任让自己往后的生活中下了无尽的烦恼与业,这就是人类的痴吧!想到佛法与生命结合时,我才发现到平日没有很如实,正念地观照自己的身口意,至于静中修的更不必说了。虽然常对别人说解行并重在修习佛法中十分重要,但是都不能完好地将修行融入生活当中。

在这次的研习班里,让我更清楚看到佛教的起源与开展的因缘,也对三宝升起更坚定的信心。在圣典的结集、流传、编译让我更能体会到佛弟子、祖师大德的苦心及用心。他们都续承了佛陀无量的本怀:不忍众生苦。所以,听了这圣典的来源后,让我觉得更应时时怀着感恩心,并立下深入经藏的决心,这才不辜负他们续佛慧命的用心。

在这几天的课程,终于让我能有机会窥视《阿含经》的全貌。之前,常听到它好像大有来头的名字,可是总隔一层纱。现在,才发现,原来读经也不是很难的一件事。况且,在课程中学到如何查藏经。之前,妙喜的培训员常要求我在准备要讨论的功课里引用经典,根本不晓得他到底要什么东西,也不知道如何找经典的资料,搞到时常一头雾水。终于,知道个所以然来。现在,要备课或分享佛法时应该不用担心交不到差了。感恩师父的教说。

《阿含经》让我了解到佛教的起源与开展都是有因有缘的。对《阿含经》的了解让我看到在根本佛教时期佛陀的身教与言教,当时佛陀在印度弘法利生一生,当时佛弟子说的法等等。我觉得很赞叹佛陀的功德、善巧与其不忍众生苦的本怀。之前,听过亦看过的“佛陀传”,但是看了几篇《阿含经》的经文,我感觉到佛陀这实实在在地曾经在恒河两岸度众四十五年的觉者,其身与语的表现,其无上的智慧及无量无边的大悲心。看《阿含经》对我的摄受胜过看其他“佛陀传”。之前看过《我是这样说的》因采用《阿含经》的一些内容,所以对我来说感受特别深。回去后,将会把师兄借的两本《阿含经故事选集》读完吧!但愿如此。
想回经典的传诵、不断地结集及翻译至我们看得似懂非懂的汉文传到现今。这如此庞大的经典能如此流传至今,还应要感恩佛弟子、祖师大德的功德,难忍能忍、难行能行,赞叹! 但想到自己除了感恩,还能做什么呢?回归到身为一个佛弟子,我觉得感恩要用心,接着要升起回馈心、奉献心,要学会报恩。因为光说感恩还不足够的。要让正法久住世间,让人们都能学习到佛法,离苦得乐,身心安乐,世间祥和,我应更精进学佛行佛,与更多人分享佛法的喜悦。这样才能真正的续佛慧命,传承世尊的本怀。

总的来说,“阿含传来的讯息”是从它能了解佛法的全面性,它既不缺出世间的解脱法亦不失世间善法,也容于大小乘,也对大乘佛教开展的因缘有着密不可分关系。里头的第一义悉檀也是我们必须时时回归到修行里的一部分。《阿含经》的讯息是了解佛法导向修行、趣向正道。

至恒笔
第十二届全国大专佛法研修班

p.s:感恩悦忆帮我打这份九页长的心得报告,欠你一餐!