Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
December 21, 2023

On November 21st, Flora Christie, a teacher at Colindale Primary School in London, invited Venerable Jue Qian of I.B.P.S. UK (London Fo Guang Shan Temple) and Guo Qinghua, the secretary of Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) London Sub-Chapter 3, to the school. They introduced Buddhism to more than 90 fourth-grade students, marking a new chapter in sowing the seeds of Humanistic Buddhism in the UK.

Venerable Jue Qian played the video "The Humanistic Buddha," narrating the life of Buddha. The video sparked the students' interest and ignited their curiosity about Buddhism. After the screening, Venerable Jue Qian encouraged the students to ask questions and engage in interactive discussions.

Venerable Jue Qian plays the video "The Humanistic Buddha," narrating the life of Buddha. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Jue Qian also introduced the daily life of monastics and the significance of ceremonial instruments, especially how the Inverted Bell and Wooden Fish are used during chanting. Venerable Jue Qian's detailed explanations provided the students with a deeper understanding of Buddhist chanting. Additionally, Venerable Jue Qian informed the students about Fo Guang Shan's temples worldwide and the achievements in propagating Humanistic Buddhism across the five continents.

Venerable Jue Qian explains how the Inverted Bell and Wooden Fish are used during chanting. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Jue Qian's explanations left both students and teachers amazed, deepening their understanding of the global impact of Humanistic Buddhism. Venerable Jue Qian also guided the students in experiencing meditation and taught them to use the Lotus Mudra to express auspiciousness and farewell.

Ameena Huquqi, a teacher at Colindale Primary School, expressed heartfelt thanks to Venerable Jue Qian for the lecture. Ameena mentioned that the school's children come from diverse cultural backgrounds, and the recent theme in the school's religious education curriculum has been Buddhism. Having Venerable Jue Qian personally come to the school to teach enriched the school's religious curriculum, providing the children with a deeper understanding of Buddhism.

The Colindale area is the town with the largest Chinese population in the Greater London region, featuring a rich multicultural background and becoming an ideal platform for this event. As Fo Guang Shan enters the campus, it not only disseminates the wisdom and compassion of Buddhism to British children but also makes a significant contribution to enhancing understanding and respect between Eastern and Western cultures.