On the 18th of September, the students of the Children Dharma class gathered for another productive yet insightful session of learning the Dharma. Following the Sunday Dharma function, students gathered back into the classroom to start with the chanting of the Heart Sutra.
After settling down, the intermediate class continued with learning basic Buddhist terminology. Students listened attentively while teacher SinJun summarised the concepts with examples to help them further understand and apply these lessons when they come to the Temple. Through guidance and encouragements, students completed the worksheets and shared what they had just learnt with the rest of the class.
Afterwards, the class went to the dining hall for their snack break to refresh themselves. SinJun took the opportunity to remind the students of the proper way to conduct oneself when having a meal in the dining hall. Table manners such as sitting with good posture and putting one’s chair back under the table without noise allow one to be mindful of themselves and focus on their food. Knowing this also helped the students to gain a better understanding of giving others convenience. Moreover, Howard ensured that the space was left cleanly.
After morning tea, Wendy led the students to discuss the story Never Do Things by Halves. Students were engaged with various questions as thoughts were shared across the room. Following this, students participated in fun activities such as bottle flipping. They embraced the idea of not giving up and conducted themselves with a persistent attitude as they tried to reach their goal. Student Emmeline said when she finally accomplished it, she was very happy and continued to support the other students.
The advanced class continued to learn about the five precepts. At the beginning of the class, each chose a precept to introduce to other students. All the students were familiar with the five precepts, and teacher Lisa asked them to draw their own comic stories based on the precepts and presented their stories at the end of the class. Doing these exercises helped the students build their imaginations and remember the five precepts by heart. Student Raymond Hu introduced his story about No killing, and Zoey did her story based on No lying and No intoxicants. Respecting the five precepts is important in whatever you do in your life because they are the foundation of wisdom. Virtue is a fundamental part of understanding realness in depth.