From November 28 to 30, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted a Youth Temple Retreat for English Speakers, welcoming more than 20 young participants for an immersive program integrating the Eight Precepts, themed lectures, Buddhist etiquette, and an introduction to core Buddhist teachings. The retreat offered a structured environment for focused cultivation and reflective learning.

At the opening ceremony on November 28, Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan encouraged participants tostep away from the pressures of modern life by temporarily disconnecting from mobile devices, observing their thoughts, and reconnecting with their inner selves. She emphasized approaching life with renewed wisdom, compassion, confidence, and joy.

The Abbess noted that the temple is always a welcoming home for youth, and that true spiritual friends are those who encourage growth and uplift one another. She shared that nearly half of the participants were visiting the temple or attending a temple retreat for the first time. For many local English-speaking youth, experiences such as morning chanting and silent meals were both novel and meaningful.

The English keynote lecture was delivered by Venerable Jue Ji, Director of Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple (Texas), under the theme “Opening the Gate of Prajñā.” She explained prajñā as wisdom that transcends knowledge and dualistic thinking, guiding life through four dimensions—Right View, Dependent Origination, Emptiness, and Ultimate Truth—leading participants to a deeper understanding of the Middle Path.

Representing the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Toronto Young Adult Division, Stacey Tran shared experiences from an international youth conference in Malaysia, where young members from 27 countries gathered, broadening global perspectives. Members of the Toronto Buddha’s Light Young Adult Division participated as learners, volunteers, and service assistants, contributing to the retreat’s success.

The introductory Buddhism course was taught by Venerable Zhi Guan, who outlined the history of the temple and the origins of Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan. She highlighted key teachings such as karma, the Three Dharma Seals, and the Noble Eightfold Path, presenting adversity as a meaningful condition for growth through illustrative stories.

At the closing ceremony, Venerable Zhi Guan cited teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, emphasizing Humanistic Buddhism as holistic education for all ages, with particular care for youth. Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan concluded by encouraging participants to seek answers through personal experience in the Dharma, cultivate confidence, apply wisdom in daily life, and remain open to broader horizons through continued engagement.