Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
June 29, 2023

Concerned about the situation of children wandering the streets in Brazilian slums, venerables of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) saw the potential social issues that could arise. Under the guidance of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of FGS, venerables initiated the "Sons of Zu Lai Project" education program in 2003. The program aims to help children in the slums grow through education, arts, and faith. It even provides opportunities for them to study at Nanhua University in Taiwan and participate in football competitions in mainland China, Malaysia, Japan, and other countries.

After 20 years of promoting the "Sons of Zu Lai Project," under the arrangement of Venerable Miao You, the Abbess of I.B.P.S. Do Brasil, a delegation including Most Venerable Hsin Bao, the Abbot of Fo Guang Shan, Venerable Hui Dong, Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, Venerable Ru Yang, Abbess of San Bao Temple, Venerable Yi Xuan, Superintendent of Hsi Lai Temple, Venerable Miao Xi, President of the Merit Times, and Venerable Miao Yuan, Director of Research Center at Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, personally visited the slums on June 28th to provide heartfelt care to the children.

After learning that Most Venerable Hsin Bao and others from Fo Guang Shan had visited the slums, Rogerio Franco, mayor of Cotia, expressed that Fo Guang Shan is a leading figure in the Buddhist community and everything they do is truly moving. He pledged to share this experience with more people.

Rogerio Franco(2nd from right), mayor of Cotia, expressed that Fo Guang Shan is a leading figure in the Buddhist community and everything they do is truly moving. photo／The Life News Agency

In 2004, the local government recognized the educational program's contributions of the former abbess of I.B.P.S. Do Brasil Venerable Chueh Cheng, provided a piece of land adjacent to the slums in Cotia city free of charge for the construction of an educational center by I.B.P.S. Do Brasil. This facility, called the "Luminar Educational Center," is located just a few kilometers away from I.B.P.S. Do Brasil and serves as a place of learning for "Sons of Zu Lai."

Luminar Educational Center is located just a few kilometers away from I.B.P.S. Do Brasil and serves as a place of learning for "Sons of Zu Lai." photo／The Life News Agency

On June 28th, Most Venerable Hsin Bao conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the library established in honor of Venerable Master Hsing Yun at the Luminar Educational Center. The children were excited and cheered, giving Most Venerable Hsin Bao a big hug. The library is equipped with comic books about Venerable Master Hsing Yun in Portuguese, as well as a variety of other comic books and children's books, providing a rich and diverse collection.

During the welcome ceremony, a total of 144 students sang "We are Fo Guang members" in Chinese and performed local folk songs in Portuguese. They also showcased judo performances and other acts.

Students sang "We are Fo Guang members" in Chinese. photo／The Life News Agency

Inside the Luminar Educational Center, there are six classrooms, including English, Music, Art, Crafts, Study Room, and an Auditorium. Outside the center, there are soccer field, playground, and an organic happy farm, among other facilities.

The children participating in the "Sons of Zu Lai Project" sang "Song of the Three Acts of Goodness" with their tender voices.

A student in the art classroom made a silver Superman out of discarded aluminum foil, showcasing his talent in surrealistic art. The teacher expressed that art class allows children to realize that drawing is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy; they too can have dreams and unleash their talent and potential through painting.

In the language enhancement course, the teacher patiently taught a student with learning disabilities, helping him progress from being unable to recognize phonetics to being able to spell words. Now, he can write his own name.

A parent said, "The venerables of Fo Guang Shan and Fo Guang members all are nirmanakaya of Buddha, they not only provide food for the children, but also education. They teach children the Three Acts of Goodness and instill them with a compassionate heart."

The delegation visited two families deep in the slum, first one is the home of Breno Luca da Silva Frazão e Emilly Silva Diniz, who is the student of "Sons of Zu Lai Project" and performed well, and has joined the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) YAD. Most Venerable Hsin Bao went to Breno Luca da Silva Frazão e Emilly Silva Diniz's home and presented him with the Three Acts of Goodness Children's Certificate and a scholarship.

Most Venerable Hsin Bao went to Breno Luca da Silva Frazão e Emilly Silva Diniz's home and presented him with the Three Acts of Goodness Children's Certificate and a scholarship. photo／The Life News Agency

The second household belonged to Lucas Andrade da Silva, a teacher of the "Sons of Zu Lai Project." He has been continuously assisting children and taking care of his elderly mother for many years. Most Venerable Hsin Bao presented Three Acts of Goodness Teacher's Certificate and a reward to Lucas Andrade da Silva.

Most Venerable Hsin Bao presented Three Acts of Goodness Teacher's Certificate and a reward to Lucas Andrade da Silva. photo／The Life News Agency

Brazilian slums are quite diverse and not welcoming to outsiders, but the yellow robes of venerables from Fo Guang Shan are like passports, and are welcomed wherever they go.

On the wall of the Luminar Educational Center hangs a photo of the Sons of Zu Lai during their visit to Taiwan, where they took a group photo with Venreable Master Hsing Yun at Fo Guang Shan. photo／The Life News Agency

On the wall of the Luminar Educational Center hangs The Merit Times' report of the Sons of Zu Lai during their visit to Taiwan in 2013. photo／The Life News Agency