Sunway Project for Asia and International Relations Annual Conference 2023 (21/10/2023)

Sunway Project for Asia and International Relations better known as SPAIR 2023 is back! This year's theme is Human Capital: The Gap on Gender and Education, which mainly focuses on SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 5: Gender Equality. I always wanted to attend a SPAIR conference but it always clashed with my schedule, mainly on Model United Nations, it's always on the weekend! 

Now, not anymore! I'm attending and in a SPAIR conference panelling on the topic of education. It was a month back when Farhana, the current Vice President of SPAIR. She went through my profile on LinkedIn and Instagram (my personal account) and found out about my advocacy for disability inclusion. After some thinking, I said yes. 

The meeting was arranged to get first-hand of the program flow, and who were the people I was gonna panel alongside. For education, I wasn't the only Sunway alum, there was gonna be another fellow Sunway alum for that session but I wonder who he or she was. A week or two before the event, the full list of panellists was out and the questions were in to have a concept of what the moderators would ask. 

On the day of the event, I was led by the volunteer team of SPAIR to the Chancellor Suite - where they host VIPs. I called it the VIP room. Breakfast was served with light snacks and refreshments. Sunway campus has been upholding "Campus with a Conscience" by practising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on campus. I had my favourite Nyonya kuih (pastries) too! At 10.15am, we were given the green light to head over to JC 1. 

I thought the room would be packed with 100 people and it was the weekend. Turned out it was less than I expected. It's okay anyway, I like a small crowd on a panel session because we interact with the audience more. The event with the singing of the national anthem the Negaraku, followed by an opening remark from Sunway Education Group CEO - Dato' Professor Dr. Elizabeth Lee and the President of SPAIR - Farhana. 

The first panel session was on Gender Equality. I would like to take on the mention of parental leave. In society's expectations, the mothers are the ones who spend and nurturing newborns in the first three or six months but the question is: What about the fathers? Nurturing and raising children requires both parents to be involved in the process. Not only parents but also grandparents (from both sides) also play an important role too! 

I'm lucky I was raised by my grandparents, it was a big help for my parents, especially my mummy to focus on her career 100% and not worry about my younger sibling and me being left at home alone after school. After that, it's lunchtime on the Mezzanine floor. I had delicious Mac and Cheese with iced lemon tea! Before we headed back, Jeff, the moderator briefly introduced himself as we are heading back to JC 1 to continue to the next session - Quality Education. 

At the beginning of the session, each of the panellists what does education mean to them? I shared a fond memory of my ah gong (grandpa) - who is a retired educator who bought me essay books to prep me for essay writing in Year 3 of primary school.  I was asked how education and how can we make them inclusive? 

I talked about the difference between the inclusivity between Australia and Malaysia. Students with disabilities like myself are not able to have 100% inclusivity in class whereas in Australia, I was there during my yearly physiotherapy checkup. I could see the educators emphasised inclusion.

The education blueprint went well with other countries but with Malaysia, it doesn’t go anywhere, it always goes back to the same point. The role of an educator also plays an important part in a student's life. There is always one educator who leaves an impact on the students. For example, an educator whose child loves drawing but doesn't recognise it, what the educator did is she got it tattooed to boost the child's confidence. I think this is what really can do to always encourage the students to discover their potential instead of focusing too much on the grades.

I ended the session by encouraging parents to send their children because campus life is a pathway to a bright future and eventually a class above! Thank you SPAIR team for inviting me back to campus and hope to come back again for future events. 

Follow Sunway Project for Asia and International Relations (SPAIR) for more upcoming events: 

Website: https://sunway-pair.wixsite.com/sunway-pair 

Facebook: Sunway Project for Asian and International Relations 

Instagram: @sunwaypair

LinkedIn: Sunway Project for Asian and International Relations

Let's connect: https://linktr.ee/katelynchin97

Back to University: Department of Communication Alum Sharing (20/10/2023)

Last time, I was in the lecture rooms listening to my seniors sharing their lives after university. I didn’t expect to return as a senior and share my experiences with my juniors! I received an invitation from  Ms. Priya last week in conjunction with the Department of Communication's (DOC) Townhall Meeting. Although it's quite last-minute, it's always good to be back on campus! 

I arrived early as I had a lunchtime meet-up with Xin Qi, a fellow UNICEF Malaysia Young Leader - she and I are part of the Young Leaders Programme (YLP). We ate lunch at our favourite vegetarian food stall on campus. Xin Qi asked me about having me as a guest speaker for the opening ceremony of the yearly Sunway Model United Nations (SUNMUN), I said why not - there's another reason for me to head back to campus next month!

After lunch, I stayed for a while at the college's physics lab as Xin Qi was helping out with the A-Levels graduation night. At 2.45 p.m. I headed to the Jeffery Cheah Hall on the north side of the college building. Prof. Pauline Leong was waiting for my arrival and I quickly made my way to the stage and started sharing about my journey on campus from Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) to a BA (Hons) Communication graduate.

One of my favourite memories in the Department of Communication was the campaign of TogetherLAH! The closing ceremony fell on my 21st birthday too! It was almost five years since we ran the campaign, and it's still vivid in my mind, that we wanted to change the perception of how people think about Malaysia. After the sharing session ended, I was given a goodie bag by Dr. Padma as a moment to mark my visit back to campus.

This wasn't just any ordinary town hall meeting, a game session held by the student body of the department for lecturers and students to bond with each other. I gave a try on the bingo game and I got a bingo! Before ended the visit, a group photo was taken and for me, I took a solo photo in front of the stage. Did you know the Magicman - Jackson Wang held his dance workshop in conjunction with his Magicman World Tour in Kuala Lumpur last year! 

Thank you to the Department of Communication (DoC) team for inviting me back! I can't wait to join more activities in the future! 

Here is an upcoming event by the Events Management student team: RAWK Commcert 3.0 - it's to promote Malaysian talents in the music industry and they want you to be part of it! Head over to their Instagram account @rawkcommcert to learn more! RAWK Commcert 3.0 is coming your way on 16 December 2023 at Jeffery Cheah Hall from 3pm to 6pm. Bringing everyone through the evolution of music from 1970's till the present day. 

恒守愿田：菩提工作坊中秋晚会 （23/9/2023）

 上一次在雪隆区庆祝中秋节的时候是已有四、五年前了。今年是第一次跟菩提工作坊的法侣们一起提早迎接中秋！我和淼善相约在大学的大厅，跳上车子就马上出发咯！一路上，“善文姐弟” （淼善和袈文）开启佛曲卡啦 OK！

我们抵达目的地的时候，一直绕着圈子因为找不到泊车的位子。于是我们拨电话给佑洋，他在大门口迎接我们。莉琪下来的时候给我一个温暖的拥抱，毕竟我们已经一个月多没见面。但是挑战来了，要怎样上去呢？幸好淼善及时赶来 “接手”。菩提工作坊是在最高的一楼，展廷曾对我说：“四楼很高！连我们这些普通的人都爬不上来。” 

在爬着楼梯时候，在算一层一层。为了唱歌，就把所有的力气豁出去！他们问我：“袈文，你会累吗？” 拿出阿拉蕾（崔雅涵）的经典语句：“不累！绝对不累，绝对不要放弃！” 到菩提工作坊时候，真的汗流浃背！还是一个疑问：“到底法侣们是怎样爬四楼没有流汗的？” 

向佛问讯后，我到前面试试麦克风，歌手的我在滚烫着！开个 “迷你演唱会” 属于我的佛曲分享会。“袈文，屋顶那边有晚饭。” 我问：“还有爬多几层的楼梯？” 又再多两层！终于到屋顶的顶端。一边享受晚餐，一边赏月，从天台可以看到标志性的默迪卡 118。

我也认识新的法侣们，在过程当中俊达师兄跟我分享佛曲歌手的启蒙和初心。一想起展廷也是说类似的一句话：“身为佛曲歌手，用心去体验，重要是把每首歌带出佛法和信息。” 时候到了，大家都回到四楼的会所聚集。

今晚的嘉宾是大马音乐的资深作曲传奇—— 周金亮老师！配合中秋节，当然少不了中秋为主的歌曲—— 《城里的月光》和《月亮圆》。还有另类音乐人的招牌歌曲——《用马来西亚的天气来说爱你》。

大家最期待的是提灯笼游行环节！我取出今天刚到的小牛灯笼（哎呀，爆我的年龄了！）。我是最后一个下楼。我们在附近提灯笼，到了鬼仔巷，大家取出手机相机拍照打卡。而在《八点最热报》曾看过鬼仔巷的报道画面，终于亲自来了！我跟学慧合照时候，第一张是握着荧光棒。“还是拿掉荧光棒，换你成当我的 ‘保镖’。” 学慧说，“我蹲着点到你的车子的高度。” 淼善就掌镜。

菩提工作坊的中秋晚会正式告了一段落！谢谢菩提工作坊团队！

为了让大家有更舒适的道场分享更多的音乐，菩提工作坊团队在筹募建新会所。更多捐款详情，可以到以下的平台：

官网 Official website: www.bodhi.com.my 

Facebook: 菩提工作坊 Bodhi Buddhist Fellowship Malaysia

Instagram: @bodhi_1988

马佛青甲州联委会：马佛青之夜2023 （9/9/2023）

一年一度的佛青之夜回来啦！碰巧是在居家工作的时段，不如就来支持家乡（马六甲）的活动。今年我不在主要的演出，而我是会在大合唱环节，我们有三位的唱享6度的歌手加入我们的大家庭。

下午四时三十分，每个在文化街的大舞台集合，趁这个机会跟唱享6度的 “元老” 们叙旧。当然也不忘跟新歌手们做个交流。我看到眼熟橙色的武吉波浪佛学会儿童佛学班制服，来自普贤菩萨班的浚轩说：“袈文姐姐，你来啦？” 我说：“对啊！姐姐说一定会看你们的！” 

看了看手表上的时间，我回家一趟把衣服换去唱享6度的衣服。虽然外婆说我身上的大学衣服较出色点在台上，但我还是觉得换上较好显得有团体的感觉。我们到现场时候，可爱的小朋友在呈现《青春幼苗》。 我也很久没见到的赞欣哥哥，他说：“袈文很喜欢唱歌！”，身边的嘉宾都笑了！在每个中秋庆典有猜灯谜环节，今年也不例外！

我在看演出，唱享6度的歌手们经过我身旁时候，亿杰学长提醒我：“袈文，等下记得《约定陪你》。” 我点了点头。当武吉波浪佛学会的普贤菩萨班的登台演出时候，心里有一种兴奋和骄傲，还自豪说：“那些是我的学生们！” 在我身边的一个佛青说：“可以啊！你们把孩子们教的好！” 孩子们的演出以五戒（不偷盗、不杀生、不妄语、不邪淫以及不饮酒），提醒大家 “诸恶莫作， 众善奉行” 。

金星苑带给大家《让爱传出去》，让我想起在小学时候的手语学会课堂，到现在还记得。最后一个演出是大家期待的唱享6度演出！该我出场的时候，芷杏、轩慈和瑞宣在准备让我就位。可是这次没麦可风，感觉有点尴尬。我们为大家演唱《约定陪你》，希望大家在这个中秋夜晚约定陪大家提早过中秋节！可惜今年我不能留到最后，先行提早回家。

我们下个演出见！大家好，我是马六甲唱享6度歌手的 Katelyn 陈袈文！

回家之前，跟佛陀拍张照片。

唱享6度歌手们幕后彩排

马佛青甲州联委会 YBAM Melaka SLC 

Facebook: YBAM Melaka SLC 马佛青甲州联委会

Instagram / Threads: @ybammlkslc

YouTube: YBAM Melaka Slc 

马六甲唱享六度 

Facebook: 马六甲唱享6度团队

Instagram: @changxiang6d

菩提工作坊《恒守愿田》弹唱会：总心得（13/8/2023）

我和菩提工作坊的缘分是在2017年10月21日，当时是雪兰莪佛教联谊会 （Buddhist Gem Fellowship）举行的佛曲之夜。那时我第一次听来自雪隆地区的佛曲团队。时隔一个星期，菩提工作坊也在同个地方举行《走在阳光道上》实验剧场的结业礼演出。从此以后，我和菩提工作坊接结缘。上一次跟菩提工作坊是在2019年，当年刚步入大三，佛学会举行一场迎新会就邀请他们来助兴。

六年后，第一次回到实体活动看菩提工作坊的现场演出。配合菩提工作坊三十五周年，《恒守愿田》弹唱会在安邦三宝堂的竺摩礼堂。

还在恢复晕车的我在走进三宝堂的大门口对 TJ 姐姐说：“姐姐，我快不行了！” TJ 姐姐说：“再多几步就到了！” 我们在脱鞋时候，诗绮说：“袈文，我已经帮你点名啦！可以直接上去。” 我向诗绮道谢，我和筱洁随着义工的带领下到电梯，学慧在电梯口等着我们。在 Huang Ting 的陪同下，我们到了竺摩礼堂。电梯门一打开，展廷看到我：“袈文，你来啦！你去坐吧。他们带领你去你的位子。” 

安顿位后，在孩子们的歌声下唱诵《心经》，整个心真的平静很多，即使还是在恢复晕车的状态。《阳光日记》的前奏响起，屏幕上出现第一个六度—— 布施，第一位分享者是一对夫妻在叙说他们在五年前的菩提的道路上。过去的我们，成就了现在的我们，而现在的我们要更努力实现未来所定下的目标。《阳光日记》的前奏再次响起，这次真的，歌手们开唱 “生活走走停停，你我都怀着希望……”

接下来的六度是持戒、忍辱、精进—— 提到我们不管在事业上多忙碌，佛法一定少不了。即使再累，要准备课堂和呈现，都要打起一百分的精神把任务做好我记得再行动管制令的期间，儿童佛学班还在线上的时候，要准备 PowerPoint Presentation，要找佛曲也要适合孩子们的年龄。回到实体课堂，不断提醒自己要忍辱，不要在孩子们的面前发脾气。

在最后的六度—— 禅修和般若，由现任的菩提工作坊坊长—— 江暐颉居士分享菩提工作坊的成长之路。在台下看着的观众可以感受到，三十五年的菩提之路确实不易。“坚持” 这两个字让菩提工作坊见证会员们的成长和坚信，在任何的地方，有舞台的地方就是属于自己的声音的和道场。

《同步同路》和《同愿同行》是最后两首歌为这场的弹唱会告一段落。

在整个弹唱会，六度的出现让我想起自己的歌唱团队—— 马六甲唱享6度团队，也间接提醒我要把六度实践生活中，而不是在歌手的名义上。希望菩提工作坊在未来的菩提道路上可以背着吉他把佛法和音乐散播在每个角落，到全世界去让我们亲自看见和明白菩提道路上的意义，并写出属于自己的阳光日记！

更多筹款详情，可以到菩提工作坊的官方社交平台：

Facebook: 菩提工作坊 Bodhi Buddhist Fellowship Malaysia

Instagram: 菩提工作坊 BBFM

弹唱会就是跟佛友们—— 淼善（也是我大学的学弟）和诗绮。

菩提工作坊的吉他手兼歌手—— Kenny 黎展廷 

全营 37 辅导员（左至右）：嘉洋、袈文、学慧

我和黎升铭老师四年后重逢

皈依三宝：总心得（5/8/2023）

三宝在佛教里是指佛、法、僧，皈依三宝是一个“保障” 代表我们对正信佛教的信心和认可。我来自一个佛化家庭，从小随着长辈们去佛堂供养佛菩萨。

皈依三宝的缘分带我到线上的全国大专佛教青年生活营（简称全营），在营队的最后一天。早课的时段被简单的皈依仪式取代。仪式开始之前，继持法师简单解释皈依的意义，当时五戒是一起的。我和营员们在线上观礼。

当然身边的佛友们问我是否要皈依三宝。我当时还没想好，因为我对皈依的概念是被 “绑着” 了。后来才知道原来是对佛教的信心和认可，之前有提到。问题来了，如果不皈依的话就不是佛教徒吗？非也！非也！还是个佛教徒，回到刚才点子就是三宝像个 “保障”，就是佛教已经融入了我们的生命。

在今年的父亲节，我的基督徒朋友带我看他们的周日活动。我发现他们的信仰很强，身为一个旁观者我佩服他们的精神。回家后，在佛祖前双手合掌叙说我心里的话，并且希望给我一个答案。

隔天醒来后，心里的答案已经解答，觉得使命已经到了，决定皈依。我向长辈们我要皈依的意愿，自然有赞有弹，但是他们给我的一句话是：“这是靠你自己！” 我也问身边的佛友们当时皈依的心情和初心，同时给自己一个 “适应期” 。

我在刷社交平台时候，刷到一位佛友在宣传皈依仪式佛光山文教中心。佛友也发宣传海报给我，碰巧是是在观音诞成道日的那天，也是碰上外婆的八十一岁大寿。当我报名的那一刻，“适应期” 就开始了。

转眼间，皈依的大日子到了！虽然紧张，但是心里很肯定！皈依者观看已故星云大师解释关于皈依三宝后，大家挪步到大雄殿。不只是皈依仪式，也有毓麟祈福会—— 是给小朋友们的。在法师们的带领下以恭敬的心供养佛菩萨。洒净仪式结束后，就到大殿的后面领取皈依证书。

除了自己的本名，证书有写着法名 —— 智玟。这是一个新的开始，因为学佛的路程是无止境！时时刻刻把佛法融入生活中，天天行三好，让社会更美丽！

马佛青甲州联委会：全甲儿童佛学班师资培训（15/7/2023）

2021年3月，我踏上儿童佛学班义工老师之路，因为我很喜欢小朋友！每次回家乡时候，最期待就是和小朋友们一起上课在周日儿童佛学班。然而我们要怎样走进孩子们的世界呢？这次的回家乡旅程是出席马佛青甲州联委会主版的全甲儿童佛学班师资培训。

早上八时，来自马六甲的佛学班义工老师们聚集在马六甲八蚌佛子舍报道。一年后回到八蚌佛子舍，真的变很多！去年唱享6度歌手们，在这里拍新年翻唱 MV在大殿。我一时想不起，直到我认出大殿外的楼梯就有印象。

在第一个环节，建荣学长带领大家以桌游的方式引导儿童佛学班，也要带出佛法的含义在游戏中。宗平法师在《佛学班老师的使命与价值》提到让孩子们觉得佛学会是一个归属感，他们的缘之家。举个例子：基督徒和天主教的，他们在各自教会与朋友们的关系还比自己的家人更亲。

我在学院的第二年跌倒最谷底，因为当时为了找自己的归属感而找朋友来填满心理的孤单。后来并发现这不是心里要的，不能做回真实自己。于是在因缘之下，刚好佛学会在举办一个活动，就决定回去佛学会。

这个就是叫归属感，迷茫的时候可以回到佛学会。佛学会是永远的学会，永远的家。希望孩子们在学佛的路上，佛学会就是他们的 “家”。在下午的环节三个佛教组织 —— 金星净范、马六甲慈济分会以及武吉波浪佛学会，各自分享组织的特色。

最后一个环节由黄爱萍老师带领的《走入孩子的心世界》。相信家长们或长辈们每次说 “我很了解我的孩子” 、“我很了解我的孙的！” ，这些话我们都听了听，但是有真正了解孩子们的心和他们的想法吗？我个人过去几个月有觉得父母还是不了解我，即使在二十岁数的，还是在某程度上是打不破的隔阂。

回到刚才的疑问，了解归了解孩子们，要用什么方法走进他们的世界呢？我们要停下来，再来看孩子们的一举一动，后来就是听他们的想法。在《爸爸去哪儿第四季》，当时实习爸爸 —— 董力，说了一句：“不能以大人的思维来想，要用孩子们的角度跟他们沟通。” 

这是每次跟孩子们说话时候要蹲在下来跟他们说话。因为他们觉得我们是在同一个视角，而不是以大人的角度来跟他们说话。在教导孩子们的路上，我的阿嬷（外婆）也传授在多年的育儿经验，“孩子不是打的，你跟他们好好说话就行。” 在佛学班，我都会记得这一句话。

这两年跟孩子们相处，除了考验耐性，他们的确教会我们大人要放下身躯，以真诚的心对待身边的人、事、物。孩子们的感情是真诚的！我以后要学会当更成熟的袈文姐姐同时也不忘心里的内心的小孩。

在培训的尾声，在场老师们都得到一张证书。明天回到儿童佛学班和孩子们互动啦！期待下个活动！想知道马佛青甲州联委会的相关活动，可以到以下的官方社交平台哦！

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