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Hosted by the Hsi Lai Temple of Fo Guang Shan and organized by the Los Angeles Young Adult Division II (YAD II) of the Buddha’s Light International Association Los Angeles Chapter (BLIA LA), the "Cloud, Water & Chan Mind Retreat " took place on January 26 and 27, 2024 at Hsi Lai Temple. Over a hundred young participants experienced a day and night of temple life, providing them with opportunities to understand Buddhist teachings and engage in self-awareness.
After more than two months of preparation, the retreat's theme was set as "The Ineffable Nature of Causality," combining Humanistic Buddhism with daily life. It aimed to address contemporary youth emotional issues by imparting themes of causality, meditation experiences, Buddhist etiquette, spiritual exchanges, exploratory games on causality, and lamp offerings for blessings.
The opening ceremony on the evening of January 26, 2024, was presided over by Ven. Hui Dong, the abbot of Hsi Lai Temple. He emphasized the importance of patience and acceptance in dealing with all experiences as opportunities for self-awareness, practice, and transformation.
The following day, participants attended morning prayers in the Main Shrine, officially commencing their temple life experience journey. Ven. Miao Zhong guided participants in meditation, enhancing their self-awareness through mindful breathing. Ven. Zhi Yi lectured on Buddhist studies, focusing on "Revisiting Causality," guiding everyone to explore causality and explaining the concept of "Five Harmonies," emphasizing the necessity of a pure, sincere, and honest heart to establish good relationships.
YAD II leader Ye Jiajun, along with members Tang Junxian and Wang Tianxiang, prepared the "Exploration of Causality" game, facilitating mutual cooperation among participants to complete a Heart Sutra puzzle. Through this activity, participants were trained in teamwork skills, understanding the marvels of "causality" between individuals and building a new understanding of interpersonal relationships.
The session titled "Exploring Love and Relationships Through Buddhist Principles," conducted by Ven. Ru Song, Ven. Zhi Yi, and BLIA Vice Secretary-General Jingjing Wang, integrated common youth issues with the principles advocated by Venerable Master Hsing Yun of Fo Guang Shan. These principles include "Using Wisdom to Transform Emotions," "Using Compassion as Emotion," "Guiding Emotions with Dharma," and "Guiding Emotions with Virtue," providing solutions to the dilemmas and troubles of young people in various interpersonal relationships.
