On September 15, the Young Adult Division (YAD) of Toronto, part of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA), hosted a vibrant welcome event at Fo Guang Shan Temple Toronto. The gathering, titled “Coexistence and Co-Prosperity Between Buddhism and Youth”, was a celebration of past activities and an introduction to new members. Under the guidance of Venerable Zhi Guan, the temple’s superintendent and youth advisor, along with YAD Vice President Stacey Tran and other youth leaders, the day was filled with engaging activities that fostered community spirit and connection.

The 15 attendees were welcomed with a tour of the temple, an icebreaker, and a team-based treasure hunt that brought them closer together. The event started with a delicious vegetarian meal from Water Drop Tea House, followed by alively Bingo icebreaker designed to break down barriers and encourage meaningful conversations.

A key highlight of the day was a tour of the Buddha’s Cultural Museum’s latest immersive art exhibition. Guided by the Wilson Yau, the temple’s Localization Team leader, the group learned the symbolic meanings behind each artwork, including powerful depictions of "letting go" and sacred wooden statues of Amitabha Buddha, Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, and Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva. The interactive nature of the exhibit captivated the youth, who expressed appreciation for its depth and engagement. The experience deepened their understanding of the Eight Aspects of Enlightenment and core Buddhist teachings, leaving them feeling inspired.

Afterward, the participants split into teams for a scavenger hunt that led them through various temple departments, interviewing volunteer Bodhisattvas from the reception desk, kitchen, library, and more. During the group discussion that followed, Mengjiao Han shared her experience interviewing IT volunteer  Michelle Tan, who, despite language barriers, had found a sense of belonging and love at the temple. Other participants were moved by the stories of volunteers like Leung Hung Lo, who shared how practicing Buddhism transformed his life and brought him inner peace.

YAD leaders Stacey and Michelle also shared their experiences from the Buddha’s Light Youth Conference in Berlin, Germany. The conference, themed “Coexistenceand Co-Prosperity”, featured cultural workshops and city tours thatbrought together young adults from around the world. Their stories inspired thegroup to take part in future YAD activities and conferences, encouragingpersonal and spiritual growth.

To close the event, Venerable Zhi Guan expressed her gratitude for the youth's dedication and contributions over the past six months. She invited them to continue volunteering at the temple and to attend upcoming events, including the North American YAD Fellowship Conference in Los Angeles and next summer’s YAD General Conference at the Toronto temple. Venerable reminded the youth that the temple will always be their spiritual home, encouraging them to serve with compassion and cultivate their spiritual practice.

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