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.

This year’s Children’s Summer Camp was yet another success! It was held at Guang Ming Temple on June 6, 2008 through June 8, 2008. There were about 30 kids who participated and everyone, including the counselors, volunteers and children enjoyed the camp!

By: Josh Manning 

Summer had come and the kids had been let loose out of the schools and the temple was ready for them with the Guang Ming Temple’s Kid’s Summer Camp. The Summer Camp has once again passed leaving dozens of children with smiles on their faces and just enough energy to blaze through their vacation from school. The children went through three days of activities to learn the camp’s central theme and lesson “Depend on Me” to teach that the future depends on them to take initiative and make the world a better place.

At the start of the camp, the kids had already become close after playing through various icebreaker games such as balloon stomp where the kids tied balloons to their ankles and tried to pop their opponent’s balloon. Though the favorite game by far was crab soccer, which had all the rules of normal soccer except players had to walk on all fours with their backs facing the floor. The games were so popular that they were played throughout the camp.

In order to teach the kids the camp’s theme, numerous classes were taught by YAD members. Classes ranged from arts and crafts, physical exercise, and moral lessons. In arts and craft, much creativity was shown. Campers had made puppets from paper bags of which each had been personalized with different clothing, hair, and other features. For those with a green thumb, a class was held where campers planted flower seeds in pots of which the students decorated with paint. For exercise, different relays were held where campers learned to bounce basketballs and play soccer.

Of course, the children learned a great deal about Buddhism. Campers practiced meditation and good Buddhist manners under the guidance of Venerable Chueh Fan. At the camp’s end, everyone was able to recite the four sentences on their own. Also taught was the meaning behind the lotus flower and how to bow correctly before Buddha.

On April 6, 2008, Venerable Jue Wei from California gave a memorable lecture. Below is a synopsis of what was discussed:

             For those mind gymnasts out there, Venerable Jue Wei, a holder of three master degrees, had given her time on April 12th to visit our temple and give a few lessons on how one can practice “Gymnastics with the Mind”.   Sound strenuous?  Actually it’s far from it but at the same time, requiring much practice and skill.  As physical as it sounds, the lecture was actually on how one can strengthen their mind and run a smooth life without being distracted by negative desires or influences.     

Venerable Jue Wei began her lecture in the main shrine in front of a full crowd of listeners eager to hear her words.   It was hard to lose attention as she presented her lesson in a very soft spoken and gentle manner.  She began by articulately explaining what makes up the mind and how it consists of different levels of consciousness including memory and desire as well as the senses.  Michael Zhang, a listener in the crowd remarked “She spoke clearly and covered everything from the mind and how to find the path to enlightenment.”

During the lecture, Venerable Jue Wei asked a member of her audience to juggle 3 balls.  By using the act of juggling as an example, she explained how our lives are likened to it and how they both require deep concentration to maintain.  Surprisingly, the balls she had given the guest all lit up as they were juggled.  This was to show that even though life required hard work and concentration, it could be beautiful too.  Another important point of her lesson was that we should watch our thoughts at all times as they could one day grow into actions.  If you fill your head with bad thoughts, you may commit bad actions. 

At her lecture’s end, she invited everyone for a final prayer for those that practice the Dharma.  With that, she got a standing applause from the crowd and everyone’s thanks.  It was an honor for Guang Ming Temple to have had Venerable Jue Wei propagate her wisdom to those willing to listen.  To thank her, we can put into practice her words and to “practice tolerance against all odds” no matter how difficult life may seem. 

Celebrating the Buddha’s Birthday & Mother’s Day Festival

Programs : Buddha‘s Bathing Ceremony, GRAND BOOK FAIR, Garden Party & Cultural Performances

Organizers: Guang Ming Temple, Buddha’s Light International Association, Florida Chapter Book Fair Co-organizer: Chinese Daily News Book Dept

Date/Time: 5/11/2008 Sunday, 10:30am ~ 3:30pm

Location: Guang Ming Temple,
6555 Hoffner Road, Orlando, FL 32822
Tel: (407)281-8482 Email:ibpsfl@yahoo.com

This year’s summer camp has now concluded.  We would like to thank all our Volunteers, Counselors, and YAD for the hard work of our most successful summer camp ever!