The Miami BLIA Youth Group held a "Parent-Child Open Day" event at the temple on June 8, inviting family and friends for a tea gathering to foster connections and交流. Nearly 40 participants attended the event.
Venerable Ruyuan, the abbot, delivered a welcome speech, praising the youth group for organizing the event and bringing parents and friends into the temple to learn about Fo Guang Shan, BLIA, and the unique aspects of the youth division. He also encouraged the young attendees to cultivate gratitude, responsibility, and inspiration in their daily lives and take charge of their own futures.
Mei Hanzheng, president of the Miami BLIA Chapter, and Sun Yunfei, youth group advisor, introduced the youth group’s activities and benefits, explaining how community service, summer camps, college guidance workshops, and international conferences help young people broaden their horizons, develop leadership skills, and gain knowledge beyond school.
Former youth group leader Du Lijun, currently attending Penn State University, and Natalie Tsung, who recently graduated and is heading to UCLA, along with her mother, shared their personal experiences and growth in the youth group through a video message.
Richard Young, the former secretary, was recently recognized at Broward County Schools’ graduation ceremony for 13 years of perfect attendance. He credited his involvement in the youth group for building his confidence in public speaking and encouraged others to join. Similarly, Yuling Wu shared how her cousin inspired her to join the group, where she made friends of the same age and gained confidence, now thoroughly enjoying her youth group experience.
Wang Jichang, father of Wang Yushun, shared that his daughter used to be shy and only spoke to family. However, after attending an international youth conference in Taiwan last year, she became more outgoing and plans to return next year. Additionally, Ding Dong, a devoted BLIA member, spoke about how her two daughters have grown through their time in the youth group, affirming the saying, "Children who learn Buddhism do not go astray."
The event concluded with a guided tour of the temple led by Zhao Guanglong, bringing the gathering to a successful close.
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