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Seven Orlando YAD members traveled to Kaohsiung, Taiwan for the bi-annual International Buddha’s Light Young Adult Conference 2008 (July 9-13). This year’s theme was Change the World and Benefit Humanity. Over a thousand young adults from all over the world joined together to learn and grow from each other. The Conference consisted of lectures, group discussions, exercise, performances, annual reports, sports competition, Sounds of the Human World Singing Competition, and light offering ceremony. The day started at 5:30am each morning and usually ended at 10:00pm.

The first lecture was given by Grand Master Hsing Yun. He delivered a memorable speech that left everyone re-accessing their actions. The purpose of group discussions was to come up with solutions to the problems that YADs are facing around the world. Surprisingly, the problems facing all the YADs were mostly the same. Each YAD presented their annual report which consisted activities that was carried out throughout the past year. Jimmy Koo performed at the Sounds of the Human World Singing Competition. He won the humility award. YAD subchapters were competing in tug-of-war and basketball. Team U.S.A. and Canada won first place for tug-of-war!

On the last day was the pilgrimage, which consisted of taking a bow for every three steps all the way to the Main Shrine. But because of the weather, this year’s pilgrimage was shorter and more bearable. Lasting friendships were established, important issues were addressed and most importantly, the ideas to spread Buddhism were shared. To say the least, this year’s conference was an unforgettable experience.