At the invitation of Venerable Kalubowila Ananda Thero of Lake Monastery in Cambridge, Ontario, Venerable Zhi Guan of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto joined the monastery's Interfaith Exploration Day on July 7, introducing children to Buddhism through the Dharma Wheel and the Noble Eightfold Path.

About 50 children visited several places of worship, including the Islamic Centre of Cambridge, Gurdwara Bhai Bachiter Singh Ji, and Central Presbyterian Church, before gathering at Lake Monastery for interactive presentations by representatives of Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and the Bahá'í Faith. The program encouraged children to appreciate different faith traditions while cultivating respect, understanding, and friendship.

Using the Dharma Wheel as a teaching symbol, Venerable Zhi Guan explained that it represents the Buddha's wisdom and the continuous transmission of the Dharma for the benefit of all beings. Comparing it to a moving wheel, she said that just as a vehicle advances only when its wheels turn, the Dharma transforms lives only when it is practiced. She introduced the Noble Eightfold Path as a practical guide for daily living.

During the discussion, a youth volunteer asked about Mahāyāna meditation. Venerable Zhi Guan explained that cultivation combines seated meditation with mindfulness in everyday life, helping practitioners develop patience, inner stability, and clear awareness when facing life's challenges.

The children participated enthusiastically, asking questions and reflecting on what they had learned. Venerable Kalubowila Ananda Thero expressed his hope that exposing young people to diverse faith traditions would nurture mutual respect, compassion, and peaceful coexistence from an early age.

The program concluded with a group photo of representatives from the participating faith communities, including Dr. Mitra Barua of Wilfrid Laurier University, who attended as a Buddhist representative.

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