The Causes and Conditions of Buddhism Entering Indigenous Communities(佛教走入印地安人因緣)

Written by T'ata Begay

I am T'ata Begay, a Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal member and Community Liaison, for Choctaw nation's Historic Preservation Department. In May 2024, my family and I accepted an invitation from Venerable Yung Ling of the Fo Guang Shan Denver Buddhist Cultural Society. On December 25th, we traveled to Fo Guang Shan Headquarter in Taiwan to participate in the 2024 “When Buddha Meets the Gods.” From the information we received beforehand, we understood that Fo Guang Shan is a vibrant place rich in culture. However, we never imagined that upon our actual visit, we would so deeply feel the kindness, warmth, love, and support shown by both the monastic and lay communities. This experience has become an unforgettable memory in our lives.

我是美國奧克拉荷馬州喬克托族（Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma）族人，現任喬克托族文化藝術館歷史保存部的社區聯絡人T'ata Begay，我與我的家人在2024年5月份接受佛光山丹佛講堂永寧法師的邀請，於12月25日到訪台灣佛光山，參加「2024世界神明聯誼會」。從預先得知的信息，了解佛光山是個充滿活力和文化氣息的地方，但從未料想到，實際到訪接觸後，卻深刻感受到佛光山僧信二眾，待人親切，與給予的愛、支持和溫暖，此生難忘。

For this journey, my husband and I traveled together with our elder son, Tanapo Hoyo. From the moment we received the invitation, our entire family eagerly looked forward to the day of departure. Although we originally knew very little about temples or Buddhism, we took time to study and understand the meaning behind the “When Buddha Meets the Gods” organized by Fo Guang Shan. We therefore prepared offerings rooted in Indigenous spiritual traditions and expressed our gratitude through a traditional Indigenous blessing dance, powwow, as a way to give thanks for the invitation and to make offerings to the Buddha and the venerables.

這趟行程我與先生帶著大兒子Tanapo Hoyo一同前往，從受邀那一刻起，我們全家每天就期待著出發的時日趕快到來。原本對寺廟、佛教一無所知，但為此行，我與家人做了研究，並了解佛光山舉辦「世界神明聯誼會」的意義，因此特別準備專屬於印地安文化信仰的供品，希望透過印地安傳統祈福舞蹈表演，表達受邀感謝之情，並回饋佛陀與法師們。

Throughout this journey, we engaged in exchanges with people of many different religions, learning from one another and building meaningful relationships. Although we spoke different languages and lived different lifestyles, we discovered many shared values. What brought us the greatest joy was being able to share our lives through Indigenous songs, dances, and prayers. This journey to the Buddha's land is a profound memory that we will treasure forever.

這趟行程交流了許多不同宗教的教義，也學到了很多，更與他人建立出良好的關係。雖然彼此說著不同的語言，也擁有不相同的生活方式，但在某種程度上，仍然有許多相似之處，更開心的是能透過印地安人的歌曲、舞蹈和祈禱分享生活，這趟佛國之旅是一段永遠珍藏於心的深刻回憶。

My karmic affinity with Buddhism began through my youngest son, Okhish Homma, now three years old. He is gentle, mature, polite, and gifted in drumming, dancing, and singing. However, when I was about seven months pregnant, his growth in the womb stopped, and medical examinations indicated signs of a rare condition. Doctors warned that after birth, he might be unable to speak, walk, or care for himself, possibly living in a vegetative state. The hospital asked whether we would consider terminating the pregnancy, explaining that continuing might place a heavy burden on our family and on his older brother, Tanapo Hoyo.

說起我與佛教的因緣，起源為3歲小兒子 Okhish Homma，他非常乖巧，成熟有禮，善於打鼓、跳舞與唱歌。然而曾在我懷孕約七個月時，因為胎兒停止生長，同時檢查顯示有罹患罕見疾病的跡象，出生後極可能會像「植物人」一樣無法說話、行走或生活自理，故醫院告知是否考慮終止懷孕，放棄生產，若執意生產，未來可能會成為父母和大兒子 Tanapo Hoyo 的負擔。

At that difficult time, a Buddhist monk came to offer prayers and blessings. Through those prayers, a fragile and helpless life revealed extraordinary resilience. My family and I struggled deeply, but the spiritual faith and cultural strength of Indigenous peoples are profound. We believe that the continuation of life is not decided by individuals alone. With prayers and hope, we chose to continue the pregnancy. I also asked Indigenous communities across the United States to pray for my son, and many different forms of Indigenous blessing ceremonies were held in various places.

當時有位佛教法師帶來了祈禱與祝福，讓一個原本脆弱、無助的生命，展現出最大的生命韌性。事發時，我和家人內心很掙扎，但因為印地安人的精神信仰和文化力量非常強大，深信生命存續不是由個人來決定的，因此，透過祈禱並懷抱著最好的盼望繼續孕育這孩子，我也向全美的印第安族人請求，為我的小兒子祈禱，所以各地舉行各種不同形式的印地安人祈福儀式。

On the night before his birth, February 11, 2022, our ancestors appeared in a dream and gave him the name Okhish Homma, which in the Choctaw language means “Red Medicine.” When he was born, he was underweight and experienced multiple physical challenges, including breathing difficulties. He experienced a rough start at life during his hospitalization where he experienced a collapsed lung and additionally, needed a blood transfusion. Ultimately, he was found to be diagnosed as nothing other than being born just a little prematurely. Okhish Homma remained in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) until he was about five months old.

2022年2月11日孩子出生的前一晚，祖靈在夢中為他取名：Okhish Homma，在喬克陶語中是指「紅藥」的意思。寶寶出生時體重不足，同時身體也出現一些狀況，還有呼吸困難等問題。在生命初期便歷經考驗，住院期間曾發生肺部塌陷，並一度需要接受輸血治療。所幸，經醫師評估後確認，除略為早產之外，並無其他重大健康問題。就這樣，Okhish Homma在新生兒加護病房（NICU）待到大約五個月大。

During his stay in the hospital, many volunteers and religious practitioners went from room to room offering prayers for newborns. One day, a Buddhist monk came into our room and chanted a short blessing in a language I could not understand, followed by words of prayer. Although I did not know what was being said, I felt an immediate sense of comfort and ease. As the monk left, he smiled and nodded gently, and through his eyes it felt as though he was telling me, “Your son will be fine.” At that moment, I was filled with confidence and deep gratitude for his visit and blessing.

Okhish Homma 住院期間，許多義工、宗教人士會逐房為小嬰兒祈禱，其中有位佛教法師來到病房，用我聽不懂的語言唱頌了一段簡短的祝福，並說一些祈禱的話，我並不知道他說的內容為何，只感覺到當下很舒服、輕鬆，法師離開時微笑點頭示意，透過眼神彷彿在告訴我「你兒子會好」，當下我充滿信心、內心無比激動，十分感謝法師的到訪與祈福。

Now, through this renewed causes and conditions, I have once again been invited to participate in the “When Buddha Meets the Gods.” Experiencing the compassion and inclusiveness embodied by Buddhism reminded me of the blessings I received during childbirth. This spiritual connection is truly special. Buddhism entered my heart quietly and naturally, while also engaging in mutual exchange and learning with Indigenous spiritual traditions. May this precious friendship and affinity continue.

而今又因為信仰因緣，受邀參與「世界神明聯誼會」，感受到佛教所呈現出來的慈悲與包容，讓我想起生育時的被祝福，在精神層面上的連結真的很特別，原來佛教走入我心中是如此不動聲色，又能與印地安文化信仰相互交流、學習，願情誼延續。