Li Datong, The Life News Agency
August 17, 2023

On August 12, Fo Guang Shan Yuan Thong Temple in the Philippines held a summer camp achievement exhibition. A total of 135 people participated in the event, including Abbess Miao Jing of Philippines Mabuhay Temple and Dr. Corea from Humanistic Buddhism Center (HBC), Philippines, Teacher Tabian, who took charge of the Philippine Three Acts of Goodness School Program, Supervisors Rosita Gochangco and Bin Lao, President Chen Zhenzhen of BLIA Bacolod Chapter.

The great team of chief executive of the summer camp, Mrs. Rutha, the drama teacher Milton, the dance teachers Tata and Virnie, the music assistant teacher Luis and other teach music, dance, drama and other art extension courses. It is hoped that these Three Acts of Goodness can be brought out through art activities, so that students can understand and apply them in daily life.

Mrs. Rutha introduced the overall situation of summer art camps. photo／The Life News Agency

In the opening ceremony of the achievements exhibition, Rosita Gochangco delivered a speech on behalf of BLIA Philippines Bacolod Chapter.

Rosita Gochangco said that cultivating talents with education and culture is one of the four purposes of Fo Guang Shan. Yuan Thong Temple adheres to the concept of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, and plans different education and training courses to allow different people to learn the concept of the Three Acts of Goodness. She expressed gratitude to the social education teachers for their collective creation and dedication to Fo Guang Shan's educational philosophy. 

Rutha introduced the overall situation of summer art camps, which are mainly aimed at students aged 14 to 20. This year, 47 university and middle school students participated. In the future, these young people will go back to school, or perform in the community, so that more people can know Three Acts of Goodness.

Based on the concept of sustainable operation, after the summer training achievement are displayed, the trainees will continue to come back every Saturday for training and practice.

The theme of achievement exhibition is "everyone practicingThree Acts of Goodness," with bilingual performances in Chinese and English. Tata specially adopted the "Song of Bathing Buddha" created by Fo Guang Shan, Malaysia as the dancer's choreography. There are English version "Stars and Clouds", Chinese version "Three Acts of Goodness," etc., interspersed with short plays with the theme of doing good deeds, speaking good words, and thinking good thoughts, and the performance concluded perfectly with the song "We're All in This Together."

Students performed on the stage. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Miao Jing said that the exhibition covers performances of different concepts, which is very exciting. The faces of the students were full of smiles and vitality, and the teachers also performed their own unique performances on the stage. She said that young people come to Yuan Thong Temple to study, which makes the temple very lively. Thanks to the support of the parents, the children were able to show their talents in Yuan Thong Temple.

Venerable Miao Jing gave a speech in the opening ceremony. photo／The Life News Agency

Before the event ended, Venerable Miao Jing, Rosita Gochangco,Bin Lao and Chen Zhenzhen issued certificates of completion to the students on behalf of the organizers, and issued letters of thanks to all the teachers.

Students received their completion certificates. photo／The Life News Agency

Dr. Corea was very moved and said that many activities were suspended due to the three-year epidemic, and now Yuan Thong Temple has become active again. It is hoped that more exciting activities will be held in the future to make the temple more active and attract more people to come to the temple to study.

The parents expressed that they would introduce relatives and friends to the temple to participate in the activities, because the children can meet many new friends and learn new knowledge here, and they will have the opportunity to make friends from all over the world in the future. Kim took his sister to participate. The younger sister is full of curiosity about everything, constantly greets the venerables, and interacts happily with other children. Kim's mother said that she was very happy that her children could participate in the activities of the monastery.