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"The most beautiful thing in the world is the Three Acts of Goodness: Do good deeds, Speak good words, and Think good thoughts. Peace is our earthly treasure, and the most beautiful thing in the world is the Three Acts of Goodness..." The pure and angelic voices of children from the Atayal School in Hsinchu County, Taiwan, echoed through the Main Shrine of Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles. Approximately 70 members of the Atayal School traveled to California to perform a series of cultural shows. Their stay from January 23 to January 25 was sponsored by Hsi Lai Temple.
The Atayal School is dedicated to preserving and promoting the culture of the Atayal tribe through music, dance, and crafts. Their visit aimed to showcase Taiwan's rich indigenous heritage to an international audience while fostering cross-cultural exchanges and understanding.
The teachers from the Atayal School shared that, to establish a stronger connection with Hsi Lai Temple, they specially practiced the "Song of Three Acts of Goodness" to show their gratitude for the temple's hospitality. They later realized that the song's message aligned with their daily practices, and they expressed their intention to continue spreading the spirit of goodness through their performances.
During their visit, the teachers, students, and parents from the Atayal School met with Ven. Hui Dong, the abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, on January 26, 2024. Ven. Hui Dong showed great care for the children's well-being during their stay and wished for everyone to feel at home. He introduced Hsi Lai Temple as the first overseas branch established by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founding master of Fo Guang Shan, and encouraged the children to consider attending one of the five universities within the Fo Guang system. Ven. Hui Dong emphasized the importance of being a good person, helping others, speaking encouraging words, and cultivating compassionate and inclusive hearts. He presented Bodhi leaf bookmarks to all the teachers and students, blessing them with a smooth and joyous learning journey.
Principal Wenliang Gao of Xinle Elementary School in Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County, expressed that being at Hsi Lai Temple felt as warm as returning to their tribal home. He shared that the Atayal people have a wonderful tradition of growing together by sharing meals. He felt the same warmth here, from the daily changing breakfast prepared by the temple's monastics and volunteers, experiencing the love behind it, and promised to bring that love back to the tribe. Quoting Venerable Master Hsing Yun's couplet, "Everyone feels at ease when they enter, and everyone leaves in peace," he noted how comfortable and safe the children felt during their visit. The children blessed the gathering with their songs, expressing gratitude for the three days of care.
Vice President Karen Chen of the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women met Ven. Hui Dong in Brazil in June 2023 and mentioned the Atayal School's upcoming performance in the USA. She hoped that Hsi Lai Temple would assist in hosting them, becoming one of the key supporters for the Atayal School's visit to the USA.
(Photos Provided by Hsi Lai Temple)
