Yee Hong Seniors Discover Joy and Wisdom at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto

On September 27, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto warmly welcomed 46 seniors, caregivers, and family members from the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in Mississauga. The visit, organized by social worker Ricky Chan, was designed as a meaningful cultural and therapeutic outing. For many participants, it was their first experience visiting a Buddhist temple.

The program featured a guided tour of the temple, sutra transcription, and the interactive activity “Three Acts of Goodness in Action,” encouraging participants to do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts. Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple ofToronto, shared the story of “Half a Bowl of Pickled Vegetables,” a touching account from the life of the founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, inspiring everyone to cultivate gratitude in daily life. She also presented one-stroke calligraphy souvenirs as blessings for the seniors.

Ricky Chan expressed appreciation for the thoughtful arrangements, noting that sutra transcription left a particularly deep impression. He highlighted that this was the centre’s first therapeutic cultural visit, aimed at stimulating cognition and enhancing seniors’ overall well-being. Earlier in the day, the program began with a MedEx dementia-prevention ping-pong activity, followed by the temple visit in the afternoon.

The temple also prepared a specially designed vegetarian buffet with soft-textured dishes suitable for seniors, which received high praise. Participants further explored the temple’s library and the Buddha’s Cultural Museum, featuring Harmony in the Himalaya by photographer Dr. Jon Kolkin, an exhibition illustrating the “Seven Steps to Happiness.”

Venerable Ru An later guided the seniors in transcribing Dharma verses and led the lively “Three Acts of Goodness” exercises. Seniors participated with enthusiasm, repeating the hand gestures with joy. They departed smiling and uplifted, inspired by a day filled with wisdom, compassion, and community connection.

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