FGC Sports Night - Fostering Unity and Friendship through Badminton
On the 19th of September 2023, 13 members gathered at Lining Badminton Centre for Fo Guang Club Sports Night. The badminton game has ignited YAD members' joy and enthusiasm to take part in physical exercises. Through rallies and games, members have managed to foster closer ties among themselves while experiencing the benefits of improved health.
By giving others convenience, and showing care and consideration, members were connected with one another in a friendly and supportive environment. During the game, a few members shared that they felt stressed with endless workloads and challenges in life, nevertheless, exercising is a great way to alleviate stress. President of YAD Subdivision 2, Thomas Lai shared that we should learn to endure adversities and embrace challenges with courage and unwavering faith. Despite the hardships whilst propagating Buddhism, Venerable Master Hsing Yun endured it and brought the flourishing Buddhism worldwide today. It is essential to be grateful for this half-and-half world, as it gives us room for improvement. We need not envy the half that others have and should appreciate the half we have; with cultivation and perseverance, we will flourish and prosper.
Fo Guang Club President, Sin Jun Chong expressed that cultivation is about taking on hardships so that we can learn and grow. When we find ourselves in challenging situations, we should not be dwelling on the sufferings but should instead, look for ways in which we can overcome and learn from the challenging situations. As Venerable Master Hsing Yun once said, "Mud can grow a lotus flower; a humble family can foster a filial son; a furnace can forge iron and steel; hardship can shape a great man; bitterness can conceal sweetness; worry can transform into bodhi."
The two-hour session passed by in the blink of an eye, members not only enjoyed badminton but also experienced the importance of teamwork and perseverance as they anticipated the next Fo Guang Club activity to come.