BLIA North Island Senior YAD Reading Club - The Rarest of Encounters

The Life Power Bank- Youth Reading Club was successfully launched on March 28, at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland. The president of Senior YAD Muyang led 6 YAD members to read the article The Rarest of Encounters from Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s book Hsing Yun’s Hundred Saying Series.

In the article, Venerable Master briefly shares with readers about the journey of establishing Fo Guang Shan Temple and the method of cultivating a life of joy and happiness, which was signified by a heart of gratitude and his rich life experience. The article contains the attitude of appreciating all the affinities, which is sourced from Buddhism knowledge and explains concepts of Buddhism in a simpler way.

Muyang firstly led the team for a meditation session to condense their minds and bodies, focus on the present, and then everyone read through the article by turns. The reading session adopted the method of hearing, contemplation, practice and proof, which was conducted by asking a series of topic-related questions, inspiring the reader to connect the Dharma with their own lives to verify the Venerable Master’s wisdom words.

Adam was impressed by the Venerable Master's commitment to being a monk in this life, and he vowed to develop a likely personality to share joy with people around him.

YAD committee members Yvonne and Kyle praised the Venerable Master's open-mindedness in facing the difficulties of life, and they vowed to learn from the Venerable Master's wisdom to face impermanence with a peaceful and ordinary mind. Yao Chang, the vice-president of the senior YAD group, took the YAD's volunteering experience as an example, commented that the various service at the Temple, including gardening, cleaning and dining service, had fostered strong hearts and righteous thoughts for YAD members.

All the participants are looking forward to the next reading club. In addition to being inspired by the Venerable Master’s words of wisdom, they are able to fill their lives with positive energy.