Second Day of 3G4G Children’s Happy Camp – Wind Wheels Spinning Joy

The 2017 3G4G Children’s Happy Camp at the temple continued to it’s second day on 7th January. The day started with the hundred or so young campers following their older caretakers to practice the dance “Try Everything” on the courtyard.

Then Sub-chapter 2 Vice-Chair Elaine taught the children “True meaning of Giving”. She used daily examples to explain how to give, such as give others some happiness, give others a smile, and give others good manners etc. This is used to encourage everyone to cultivate a warm attitude of always thinking about others, so they can put 3 Good Deeds and 4 Kinds of Giving in real daily life. This was followed by a lesson from YAD Chairperson Karzin on the “Spirit of the 4 Mahasattvas”. Karzin used examples of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Great Compassion, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s Great Vow, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Great Practice and Manjusri Bodhisattva’s Great Wisdom to inspire the children to heed these great aspirations to grow up as people of worth. The children were also led on a tour of “Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s One Stroke Calligraphy” exhibition at Fo Guan Yuan Art Gallery 1. They were all touched and awed by the Venerable Master’s compassion and altruistic attitude, which were like the same spirit of the Mahasattvas, hence they all expressed wanting to learn to be a useful person like the Venerable Master.

In the afternoon, the Happy Camp Closing Ceremony was on the lotus pond stage outside of the Front Shrine. It was by over 80 people, including Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerables, Stephen Yu, BLIA North Island President, Sub-chapter Advisors, Chairpersons, Committee Members, parents and members of YAD. Among the multi-coloured wind ribbon decorated stage, the children formed into different groups to perform their own renditions of the play “3 Good Deeds and 4 Kinds of Giving”, this received many applauses from the audience. This was followed by prize giving from the Abbess and President to first, second and third place winning teams based on their joyfulness, creativity and team work. Finally the Abbess expressed that the temple is a platform for children and young people to learn and grow. By coming to learn during the school holidays the children can learn about 3G4G through playing with others, therefore opening brighter chapters in their future lives. She also welcomed everyone to always come back to visit the temple.