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The 2024 Short-Term Monastic Retreat at Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple wrapped up successfully on July 20, 2024. Over the seven-day retreat, 146 participants embarked on a transformative journey of spiritual growth, sharing their experiences and committing to maintain their initial resolve and cultivate a bodhi mind for the benefit of all beings.
A highlight of the retreat was a special lecture titled "Awakening to the Dharma in the World" by Venerable Hui Lun, Deputy Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Monastery. Venerable Hui Lun inspired the participants to uncover their inherent Buddha nature and continually strive for progress. Using the analogy of Newton’s discovery of gravity, he explained the concept of "wu wei" (non-action), likening it to the Buddha nature and Chan mind that resides within everyone, waiting to be discovered. He emphasized that Humanistic Buddhism is grounded in worldly practice, illustrating that Chan is present in everyday life, as taught by Fo Guang Shan’s founding master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun.
Venerable Hui Lun underscored the importance of practicing the Three Studies: discipline, meditative concentration, and wisdom, and maintaining constant awareness of one’s thoughts and actions. He encouraged participants to keep their thoughts pure, repent past misdeeds, and understand the emptiness of all phenomena through the principle of dependent origination, ultimately leading to enlightenment by calming the mind.
On the retreat's final day, Venerable Hui Lun awarded certificates to the participants at the Main Shrine. Hsi Lai Temple's Abbot, Venerable Hui Dong, reminded everyone of the importance of the Five Precepts, urging them to use the Dharma they’ve learned to benefit others, frequently volunteer at local temples, and attend Dharma assemblies and classes to sustain their bodhi mind. He also encouraged young participants, aged 18-35, to join the four-month study program at Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University in Taiwan.
The ceremony concluded with Venerable Hui Lun leading the guiding venerables in singing the Farewell Song, with lyrics by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Each participant received an English version of Humanistic Buddhism: Holding True to the Original Intents of Buddha by Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Morning Dharma at Yunju: Discourses by Head Abbot Most Venerable Hsin Bau.
During the Insight Sharing class, participants reflected on their experiences. Ben Rong from West One Class expressed his intention to observe his inner mind and dedicate himself to helping others by applying Dharma in daily life. Ben Wu from West Two Class found a sense of peace and purity through observing the precepts. Ben Xin from West Four Class committed to following Venerable Master Hsing Yun's example and spreading the teachings of Fo Guang Shan. Ben Xuan from East Eight Class, a 28-year volunteer at Fo Guang Shan Edmonton, reaffirmed her vow to maintain her initial aspiration.
Ben Sheng, an Indian participant from Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple in Austin, attended the retreat with her son and daughter. Inspired by Venerable Jue Ji, she shared how she overcame negative emotions through Dharma. Her son, Ben Ping, pledged to be mindful and integrate the retreat’s spirit into his daily life. Her daughter, Ben Shu, gained a deeper understanding of Dharma and committed to becoming more mindful.
Ben Jie (杰) and his wife Ben Xian from Fo Guang Shan Chicago Buddhist Temple participated in the retreat with their daughter Ben Kang and son Ben Jie (傑). Ben Jie (杰) shared how he learned to apply Buddhist teachings to navigate life’s challenges and BLIA’s affairs, finding great benefit. Ben Kang mentioned that she learned effective time management, expressed gratitude to the guiding venerables and volunteers, and plans to join the retreat again. Young Ben Jie (傑) found the youth retreat program diverse and enriching, especially enjoying playing basketball before evening classes, where he learned the importance of teamwork.
(Photos by Chihcheng Chang, Venerable Zhi Ching, Xiaoyu Zhou & Zhaohua Guo)
