Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
September 6, 2023

On September 2nd, I.B.P.S. New York held a "Media Fellowship" event at Prajna Hall, inviting 9 media professionals to attend. The event aimed to let reporters experience meditation, introduced the "BLIA-YAD Scholarship Program," and showcase the outcomes of the "2023 Veg-revival Virtual Community Run" activity. Regarding the charity run event, apart from donating rice and grains, charitable funds from the run were also donated to Mandala Café, providing around 1,900 vegetarian meals to asylum seekers in New York.

Reporters experience meditation during "Media Fellowship" event at Prajna Hall. photo／The Life News Agency

On the morning of the 2nd, September, Venerable Jue Lin, Abbess of I.B.P.S. New York, Jenny Chen, President of Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) New York Chapter, and Frank Yao, Director General of BLIA New York Chapter, accompanied 9 media guests to Prajna Hall. Venerable Jue Lin expressed that the guests are usually busy with work, and meditation can help settle the mind and body. Through practices like breath counting, they can carefully observe their thoughts. Dynamic meditation activities like callisthenics and walking meditation can not only help regulate the mind and body but also alleviate the stress brought on by their demanding work.

Venerable You Lin, Superintendent of I.B.P.S. New York, explained the fundamentals of meditation. He stated that the primary purpose of meditation is to help individuals focus, thereby promoting physical health and psychological balance, leading to overall well-being of the body, mind, and spirit.

Venerable Jue Lin(left) explained the fundamentals of meditation. photo／The Life News Agency

During the Tea Time, Jenny Chen introduced the "BLIA-YAD Scholarship Program." BLIA young adults, including Evan, Alice Lin, Eileen, Burton, and Jaron, received teachings from the venerable to learn about religious values and a sense of responsibility. They also shared their experiences of participating in the BLIA YAD Meeting and the exchange program with Pu-Men Senior High School's English Summer Camp, explaining how they learned about the principles of "Three Acts of Goodness" and "Four Givings."

BLIA young adults Eileen shared her experiences of participating in the BLIA YAD Meeting. photo／The Life News Agency

BLIA YAD New York leader Jaron Zhou shared that he participated in the United Nations conference with a learning mindset, striving to serve and contribute to laying the foundation for the promotion of Humanistic Buddhism. Jenny Chen stated that the Youth Scholarship Program will be open to community youth in the future, hoping that they can contribute to Buddhism and society from a sense of gratitude, and elevate their character through faith.

Jaron Zhou participated in the United Nations conference with a learning mindset, striving to serve and contribute to laying the foundation for the promotion of Humanistic Buddhism. photo／The Life News Agency

In addition, BLIA New York Chapter has been organizing the "2023 Veg-revival Virtual Community Run" since 2021, which has received recognition from New York City Mayor Eric Adams. He has designated June 18th as VEGRUN DAY. Frank Yao stated that to continue supporting this charitable event, BLIA New York Chapter held VEGRUN on July 29th at Corona Park. For every participant who completed 2 miles, the New York Chapter donated 2 dollars. Fo Guang members enthusiastically supported this initiative, not only providing donations but also participating in the run, accumulating a total of 625 miles.

I.B.P.S. New York donated 130 pounds of white rice and miscellaneous grains, while BLIA New York Chapter contributed the charity funds raised from the run. These funds were used to prepare approximately 1,900 vegetarian meals for asylum seekers in New York at Mandala Café.

Founder of Mandala Café Daiken Nelson accept the charity funds. photo／The Life News Agency