On November 13 and 14, Miami Fo Guang Shan Temple welcomed 100 Catholic students and teachers for a visit. Under the leadership of theology teacher Dr. Nelson Aaque and school affairs director Dr. Karan Stalnaker, students from Cardinal Gibbons High School arrived at the Buddhist temple with excitement. The purpose of this visit was to help these soon-to-graduate students gain a deeper understanding not only of Catholicism but also of Buddhist history, culture, and teachings as they prepare to integrate into society. Miami Fo Guang Shan’s abbot, Venerable Ruyen, along with supervisor Zhao Guanglong, association president Mei Hanzheng, and several volunteers, warmly welcomed the group, creating a lively and heartwarming atmosphere.
In his welcoming speech, President Mei Hanzheng expressed that it was an honor to share this space with friends of different faiths. While Buddhism and Catholicism have different doctrines, they also share many similarities. Every faith has its unique wisdom and values, and at the core, all religions seek a life of compassion, truth, and peace. This mutual respect and understanding are fundamental to building a more harmonious world.
To help the students, many of whom were visiting a Buddhist temple for the first time, gain a deeper understanding of Buddhism, Venerable Ruyen played an English version of the short film The Humanistic Buddha, explaining that Buddha was an enlightened being who attained wisdom through cultivation. Using a Q&A format, the students were further introduced to Buddhist concepts, including the significance of the Dharma instruments in the main shrine, Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s one-stroke calligraphy, the Heart Sutra displayed on the walls, Buddhist monastic education, and the path to becoming a Dharma teacher.
In today's fast-paced and high-pressure society, emotions deeply influence personal behavior. Addressing this issue, Venerable Ruyen designed a "Mindfulness Workshop" inspired by characters from the upcoming Disney movie Inside Out 2. The workshop helped students explore different emotions, and each participant created their own "Emotion Jar", shaking it to observe internal changes as a metaphor for emotional fluctuations. This activity aimed to help students understand how emotions affect their mental state and teach them techniques for managing emotions in daily life.
Supervisor Zhao Guanglong shared his personal experience of growing up in a Catholic environment and highlighted both the differences and similarities between Buddhism and Catholicism in terms of compassion and love, morality and ethics, spiritual practice, and core beliefs. He also mentioned the deep friendship between Venerable Master Hsing Yun and the Catholic Church, emphasizing the shared goal of peace and happiness across different religious backgrounds.
During the visit, student Jessica Wilson developed a keen interest in Buddhist history, particularly the story of Prince Siddhartha’s path to enlightenment. Another student, Frankie Florio, experienced a sense of inner peace and reduced stress during the meditation session. Students also wrote down their wishes on Bodhi leaves and hung them on the temple’s Bodhi tree.
Dr. Karan Stalnaker, the school's director of affairs, emphasized the importance of religious education in students' development in modern society. He expressed his deep gratitude to Miami Fo Guang Shan for providing this valuable opportunity for graduates to learn about different religions. He also noted that the "Mindfulness Workshop" left a lasting impact, helping students better understand how to manage and control their emotions in the future as they navigate a multicultural society.
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