The Life News Agency
July 11, 2023

The teachings of Humanistic Buddhism have the power to benefit people of all ages and backgrounds. To inspire young adults to explore the Humanistic Buddhist way of life, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple of Toronto hosted a 3-Day Youth Spiritual Life in Monastery retreat over the Canada Day long weekend (June 30 to July 2).

Everyone celebrated Canada Day with festive decorations! photo／The Life News Agency

In addition to the routine cultivations of a Buddhist temple, every Venerable shared the Dharma and their personal experiences in innovative ways. After careful assessment, 13 youths were selected from a pool of 26 applicants based on their intentions and performances to attend the retreat.

During the opening ceremony, Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of FGS Temple of Toronto, warmly welcomed the participants and praised their decision to dedicate their holiday to spiritual discovery and learning. She emphasized that "the experiential learning to follow would be beneficial to the young adults in contemplating their future outlooks." The Venerables also provided words of encouragement to the youths following the Abbess' gracious introduction.

Venerable Miao Mu guided the participants through the Life of Venerable Master Hsing Yun Exhibition, fostering heartfelt connections to the Founding Master of Fo Guang Shan Monastery. photo／The Life News Agency

There were many memorable highlights from the diverse curriculum made possible by the expertise of each Venerable. In addition to the emphasis on the daily routines and disciplines of a Buddhist temple, Venerable Miao Mu guided the participants in understanding the spirit and the evolution of the FGS Temple. Venerable Ru An led a tea meditation session, while Venerable Man Long facilitated discussions on the Buddha-Dharma. Venerable Miao Tsun covered Venerable Master Hsing Yun's profound wisdom in "The Between Ignorance and Enlightenment" series, and later Venerable Miao Mu returned to share the Venerable Master's unique insights into life as encapsulated in the "Positive Forecasts for Life." Venerable Ru Xing introduced the practice of the Chinese Ch'an through a mindfulness session. Towards the conclusion of the temple retreat, the Venerables and participants engaged in an open forum, exchanging thoughts and experiences.

Venerable Ru Xing led a mindfulness session for self-discovery. photo／The Life News Agency

The participants were delighted in learning Buddhist dining etiquette and showcased their culinary skills by preparing dinner. photo／The Life News Agency

The retreat was primarily conducted in English to accommodate the participants' needs. English-speaking youths, such as Raina, expressed gratitude for the guidance and translations provided by their fellow participants to ensure a seamless learning experience.

Raina, a local participant in the 3-Day Youth Spiritual Life in Monastery, shared insights from the group discussions. photo／The Life News Agency

On Day Two, the participants eagerly shared their thoughts and spiritual insights in the presence of the Venerables. Jealyn, a student from the University of Waterloo, shared the faith and confidence she had gained from being a part of the Fo Guang community. She emphasized that the retreat played a crucial role in her personal spiritual development. Terrance expressed his joy in taking the initiative to register, stating that the curriculum and the considerate guidance from the team of Venerables dispelled his previous anxieties. An international student named Kadison expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to introduce Humanistic Buddhism to her peers and she voiced her hopes that all Buddhist youth could proudly declare themselves as "Happy Buddhists!"

Kadison expressed her joy in being able to guide her friends in discovering Humanistic Buddhism, drawing from her experiences as part of the FGS Headquarters community in Taiwan. photo／The Life News Agency

Everyone excitedly selected pencils inscribed with quotes from the "Positive Forecasts for Life” and contemplated the profound wisdom of the Venerable Master. photo／The Life News Agency