“Between Ignorance and Enlightenment” Study Group

On 30th of May, a study group was organised by BLIA South Island to improve their knowledge of Buddhism. With Venerable Miaoyu present, the study group was attended by BLIA South Island President and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Cheng, BLIA South Island Vice-president, Mei-Hua Chen and other committee members, to a total of 20 people.

Study group leader Mrs. Wang chose an article written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun as the theme and title of this study group. The article is about the societal changes that have taken place, that is, where children nowadays have the tendency to live separately from their parents; this phenomenon is otherwise known as the “Empty period”. This situation will improve through Buddhism. Everyone discussed their own household’s situation. Some of them feel that parents need to build a good relationship with their kids. Doing so will avoid the situation of parents becoming a burden for their children in future and vice-versa.

During the Dharma talk by Venerable Miaoyu, she said that the Empty period is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a chance for parents to spend more time at the temple and serve Buddhism through helping with the operations of temple and serving the community. Through serving Buddhism, the parents will experience Dharma Joy, gain wisdom and cultivate merits. Venerable Miaoyu also encouraged everyone to cherish and appreciate the conditions that have allowed them to have such a majestic Temple to go to, and to have the Temple as a major part of their lives.