A total of 22 students participated in the Children’s Dharma Class every Sunday in May 2023. It has been a fruitful period for the Children’s Dharma Class. The beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes engaged in various learning activities, challenging themselves, and nurturing their kind and compassionate hearts. Chanting and offering incense in the main shrine aided the students in mastering The Heart Sutra to calm their wandering minds. Learning the hand gestures for the song “Love and Peace” boosted the students’ confidence and reinforced the idea that “Where there is Dharma, there is a way.”
The beginner’s class had some exciting lessons, including a storytelling session with Venerable Rulian. The Jataka tales shared by Venerable Rulian captured the students’ attention with eager ears and open hearts. These stories imparted important virtues for daily life, such as gratitude for teachers, understanding cause and effect, and acknowledging that every action has consequences. Teacher Howard adeptly translated these stories into English for some students, making the teachings accessible to all. Student helpers Anthan and Zoey also contributed by teaching lessons that expanded on the themes of these stories. They covered Temple and dining hall etiquette, offering interactive lessons involving class discussions, worksheets, and games. The concepts of the Three Goodnesses and Four Givings were consistently included across all lessons to provide a strong foundation for practicing Humanistic Buddhism in the students’ daily lives. Raymond Chong, Megan, and Nora effectively explained how to show respect at the Temple by joining palms and using the phrase “Ji Xiang” when greeting others.
The intermediate class also engaged in various activities to learn new concepts and review previous lessons. They participated in Venerable Rulian’s storytelling session alongside their beginner classmates, displaying great enthusiasm. Teachers Gwen, Nadine, and Wendy shared Buddhist stories such as “The Buddha and the Swan,” “Ask for Intelligence, Pray for Wisdom,” and “The Buddha and the Elephant.” These stories helped students understand the principles of the Three Goodnesses and Four Givings, enabling them to relate these concepts to their daily lives. Cody mentioned that he practices these principles by keeping his room tidy, while John emphasized the importance of cheering on friends as an act of kindness. Randy reflected on the significance of smiling as a way to support others.
The advanced class focused on Venerable Master Hsin Yun’s collection “Buddha Dharma Pure and Simple.” Each week, they studied a chapter from the book, engaging in detailed discussions, drawing connections to their lives, and participating in interactive Q&A sessions. The advanced students deepened their understanding of topics like patience, meditative concentration, and The Four Great Bodhisattvas. In a conversation with Teacher Sinjun, Raymond Hu explored the benefits of cultivating meditative concentration even in noisy environments. Raymond Hu acknowledged that he could further develop his meditative concentration as a result of this conversation with Teacher Sinjun.
In summary, it was a busy term filled with new learning and growth in Humanistic Buddhism. All students experienced the joy of learning and developing together, and they will continue to do so as they progress on their journey at the Temple. As Venerable Master Hsing Yun wisely said, “When learning, strive for depth and breadth. When cultivating, be patient and tolerant.”