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Although Halloween, commonly known as the “Ghost Festival,” is often associated with mystery and spookiness in many places, for children in Canada, it is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. On this day, they can dress up as any character they wish—from superheroes to little ghouls—and paint their faces with colorful makeup before heading to school. After school, they gather in groups to go door-to-door “trick-or-treating,” making for a lively and fun experience.
Jing Si Aphorisms Infused into Halloween: “Pumpkin Steamed Buns” for Kind Words
On October 26, the Tzu Chi Academy, Toronto held its Halloween celebration early. In the morning, the school entrance was filled with smiling children in various costumes, excitedly showing off their outfits. Many parents laughingly remarked that their children couldn’t wait to put on their favorite costumes and come to school.
This year, the school continued its tradition of “trick-or-treating” but added an innovative twist with a distinct Tzu Chi touch. Instead of carrying bags to collect regular candy, the children were tasked with asking volunteers for “pumpkin steamed buns,” which had been carefully handmade over several days.
This creative idea can be described as a healthy, Chinese-style twist on trick-or-treating, preserving the festive atmosphere while also promoting nutrition and health!
Changing the Password to Plant Kind Words in Hearts
Another commendable innovation was changing the traditional trick-or-treating password from “trick or treat” to “Speak kind words on Halloween,” a phrase that better reflects the Tzu Chi spirit.
When the children outside a classroom chanted, “Speak kind words on Halloween,” the door would open, beginning a “Jing Si Aphorism exchange.” A child outside would recite the first half of an aphorism, and a child inside would have to complete it. If they answered correctly, they would receive a fragrant pumpkin steamed bun. This activity not only allowed the children to have fun but also instilled in them the concepts of “speak kind words, think good thoughts, and do good deeds” through play.
This year’s slogan, “Speak kind words on Halloween,” is particularly praiseworthy. Not long ago, two shocking social incidents occurred in Taiwan: an elderly woman on the metro asked a young person to give up their “priority seat,” leading to a verbal argument that ended with the woman being kicked; in another incident, a high school student got into a dispute with a bus driver over the fare, which tragically escalated to the driver assaulting the student.
At this moment, I recall a local saying my mother often uses: “The same mouth that begs for food can also invite a beating.” This means that the way we speak can change relationships between people. Speaking kind words can resolve conflicts and bring people closer; speaking unpleasant words, however, can lead to misunderstandings or harm.
If the people involved in those two incidents had remembered Master Cheng Yen’s teaching, “Speaking kind words is like scattering fragrant petals; speaking ill words is like spitting venomous snakes,” perhaps the outcomes would have been entirely different. After all, if one spews venomous words at others, how can a good result be expected?
If everyone could speak like scattering fragrant petals—communicating with gentle words and mutual understanding, whether with friends, colleagues, or family—wouldn’t society naturally become a better place?
As the children chanted “Speak kind words on Halloween” one after another, the heartbreaking scenes from the Taipei Metro and the Taichung bus resurfaced in my mind. I couldn’t help but wonder: if everyone were willing to “speak kind words,” could all disputes be resolved and turned to dust?
Gratitude for the Elder Volunteers’ Daily, Selfless Dedication
Starting at 11 AM, the hallways of the classroom area filled with laughter and the sound of children chanting “Speak kind words on Halloween,” punctuated by wise Jing Si Aphorisms. The atmosphere was warm, touching, and simply wonderful!
Sincere thanks to all the teachers and the volunteer team for their concerted efforts, which made today’s Halloween event a resounding success!
Special tribute must be paid to the heroes behind the scenes—the magnificent kitchen volunteers! This admirable group, with a combined age of over three hundred, gathered at the activity center last week to make two hundred and forty fragrant, soft, and delicious mini pumpkin steamed buns. Early this morning, they returned to steam, pack, and keep them warm, delivering them just in time for the children to enjoy this outpouring of love during the event.
Many students, after finishing one, kept asking, “Can I have another?” Seeing their satisfied smiles was the sweetest reward.
Admiring the Strong Team and Spirit of Harmony
This week concluded in a lively, warm, and joyful atmosphere. Principal Chin-Fen Tseng expressed her gratitude to all the teachers and volunteers for their dedication, which filled every corner of the campus with laughter and warmth.
Today’s snack—the fragrant pumpkin steamed buns—was lovingly prepared on Thursday at the Jing Si Hall by Tzu Chi volunteers Chun-Chen Lee, Hsiu-Ying Chen, Shui-Yueh Yeh, Chin-Mei Huang, Mei-Yu Hsin, and Jen-Yi Wang. Early this morning, Chin-Mei Huang and Hsiu-Ying Chen went to the activity center to heat the buns and personally deliver them to the school, allowing everyone to feel the immense warmth and gratitude from the start of the day.
Their thoughtfulness and care were deeply moving. We are grateful to these two senior volunteers and all the behind-the-scenes helpers for making this aroma the start of a beautiful day.
A team’s warm support for a substitute teacher. This morning, teacher Liao’s daughter felt unwell and had to go to the hospital, so she was unable to come to school. As it was difficult to find a substitute on short notice, the principal stepped in to teach the class herself.
Thanks to the seamless cooperation of all teachers and the volunteer team, the Halloween activities proceeded smoothly. This spirit of unity allowed the principal to teach with peace of mind, free from other worries, fully demonstrating the school’s most precious teamwork and humanistic spirit.
