The Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Headquarters organised the 2022 International Buddha’s Light Young Adults Conference (IBLYAC) on 16th July 2022 with the theme Wisdom & Innovation. Under the guidance of Most Venerable HsinBao, the Director of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Executive Council Venerable HuiChuan and BLIA World Headquarters Deputy President Venerable TzuRong, thousands of YAD members together with BLIA Scouts and students of FGS Tsung-Lin University participated in the online conference, incorporating the sustainable development goals to discuss the practical application of wisdom while strengthening bonds between YAD members. Abbess Manshin led more than 40 youth and BLIA members to participate in the event.
In order to carry forward the spirit of the Bodhisattva Way of Doing the Impossible, Enduring the Unendurable and to jointly carry out the mission of inheriting Buddhism, Venerable HuiChuan awarded certificates to nine newly established branches. Abbess Manshin awarded Abby, Sin Jun and Hongkai Level 1 White Elephant certificates, while Sean, Edwin and Thomas were awarded Level 2 White Elephant certificates.
Venerable Hui Chuan shared that the YAD had made numerous achievements in the past 25 years under the guidance of BLIA: there are 236 YAD Divisions, 588 White Elephant Executives, 8 Pegasus Executives, and a total of 73 Sudhana and Sumagadhi Lecturers around the world. With the attitude of taking initiative, self-adjustment, and protecting the Dharma, more than 100 young people have become members of the monastic community to promote Buddhism to the world. He encouraged the participants to shoulder responsibility to pass on the faith and legacy to achieve the vision of Letting Buddha’s light shine on the universe; the Dharma water to flow in all five continents.
Venerable Tzu Rong shared the joy of participating IBLYAC as Buddhism needs youth and youth needs Buddhism. Venerable Master Hsing Yun came to Taiwan at the age of 23. He led the youth in singing, guided them in Dharma propagation, and transformation of Buddhism at that time. He encouraged the public to apply Buddhism’s wisdom, which brings them joy, happiness, and enrichment in life, saying, Wherever the sun shines, there are Buddhists, and wherever water flows, there are people who believe in Buddhism.
Most Venerable HsinBao encouraged the youth to affirm the importance of the wisdom to transform troubles into bodhicitta. “Where does wisdom come from?” He explained the Buddha’s enlightenment of liberation from ignorance. He further mentioned that the only way to eliminate suffering and achieve happiness is to be aware of suffering. To help participants understand this he used a rainbow analogy, stating that “A rainbow on the ground is half, but a rainbow 10,000 feet high is round”. This helped participants to understand how one’s perspective of suffering relates to happiness. Most Venerable HsinBao also blessed everyone to develop their own Buddha-nature and gain wisdom through the Buddha teaching.
President of BLIA Auckland YAD 2, Thomas Lai shared, “It takes time and dedication to thoroughly understand and validate Buddhism, as well as constant reminders from others, so we are very blessed to have Venerable Master, Abbess, and the Temple. From small beginnings in Yilan to the huge FGS in Kaohsiung and the FGS across five continents, Venerable Master had faced many hardships, more than we can imagine, so we have to learn to take on more. Youth must not only listen to the Buddha’s teachings but also take on more responsibilities in order to gain more wisdom. We must vow to have the spirit of Buddhism depend on us, and one day we must become giants too”.
BLIA NZ YAD member, Nadine who participated in the IBLYAC for the first time shared that the conference allowed her to identify that everyone has Buddha nature. However, we let our afflictions act as an obstacle to Buddhahood. We can practice mindfulness and actively cultivate wholesome qualities to help us on this path. She feels inspired to not surrender to her emotions, but rather choose happiness through constant implementation of the 3Gs and 4Gs.
Abbess Manshin listened to the insights of the YAD members and said, “Those who are blessed will have wisdom. Those who have wisdom will understand the value, those who have compassion will cherish, those who have gratitude will work together, and those who understand the cause and conditions will follow the rules and complete the missions, blessing the youths to accumulate wisdom on the path of Buddhism”. The hearts of the youth in New Zealand connected with Buddhists worldwide, transcending distances and time zones.
