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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.

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.

             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. 

So you’ve established an interest in Buddhism.  You understand that the main goal in Buddhism is to reach enlightenment.  But one question continues to nag in the back of your mind:  How can I, a more or less regular human being, ever expect to achieve such a highly awakened state?  Is it even possible?  Is it worth the trouble? 

Aniruddha, one of the Buddha’s wisest disciples, once made a similar request of his teacher.  According to tradition, he once said, “Oh Buddha, please tell us how lay people are to become enlightened and how they should behave if they want to achieve Nirvana.”

The Buddha’s answer was concise, clear, and utterly complete.  It became known as the Sutra of the Eight Realizations of Great Beings and is considered one of the great works of Mahayana Buddhism.  In it, the great teacher delineates eight concepts we, as lay people, must realize in order to become an enlightened being.

Sounds simple, right?  Well, come to our new Sutra Studies Class to find out!  This free class will be taught in English by me, Malinda.  (I’m back from maternity leave with a new addition to the family!)  Those of you who know me, know that we’ll have an open discussion format. Class begins August 17th at 11 am.  We will be referring to the book Buddhism:  Pure and Simple by Master Hsing Yun.  This book is available for purchase at the temple’s bookstore for $14.95.  The book is not required, but it is recommended.  Feel free to try out the class first before deciding to purchase it. Be prepared to awaken to your inner Buddha.  I look forward to seeing you there! 

Where? 
Guang Ming Temple
6555 Hoffner Ave. Orlando , FL 32822

When?
Sundays at 11am beginning August 17th

Please RSVP to missyeh27@yahoo.com if you are interested in attending or if you have any questions.

69 Teams, 962 participants, over $160,000 raised in one night.  These are the numbers from the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life - East Orlando. 

This year the Orlando BLIA YAD attended for the first time, and had outstanding results.  As a group we raised $1,156.60!  Our dedication carried deep into the night and throughout the early morning.  We sold buddhist trinkets, boba milk tea, bottled water, egg drop soup, popcicles, chinese doughnuts, and hot chocolate.  As one of the last booths still open after 2am, we served hot chocolate on a very chilly night, which resulted in the YAD being one of the most popular groups throughout the night.

This was such a gratifying experience to see our hard work go towards such a great cause.  We watched as several cancer survivors walk a victory lap with a standing ovation from the crowd.  We enjoyed many wonderful performances from other contributing groups, and had a chance to meet hundreds of people working towards a similar cause. 

Next year, the bar is set, and we can only hope to achieve even better results in the future.  Thank you to everyone who contributed their time and/or money!

If you missed out on the opportunity to donate, we have provided information for the American Cancer Society below:

If you have additional check or cash donations for the Relay For Life,

please send them to:

American Cancer Society

Attn: East Orlando Relay for Life

1601 W. Colonial Dr

Orlando, Fl 32804

http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeFloridaDivision?fr_id=8157&pg=entry

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! 

Speaker: Venerable Jue Wei

Topic: Gymnastics of the Mind - How to interpret and use life’s little lessons(from Vijnana into Jnana)

Date: April 12, 2008 SaturdayTime: 1:30pm—3:00pm

Location: Guang Ming Temple 6555 Hoffner Road, Orlando, FL 32822

Tel: (407) 281-8488

Email: ibpsfl@yahoo.com

Ven. Jue Wei is giving another talk on 4/6/2008

10am – 12noon English Dharma Lecture on “What goes into making Buddhism a world religion”