On April 13, Venerable Miao Guang, Deputy Director of the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, led an inspiring English Dharma talk with 32 young people at the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto. Held in the temple’s conference room, the heart-to-heart session featured a warm and interactive Q&A format, offering thoughtful reflections on the challenges youth face in an era defined by artificial intelligence and globalization.

Drawing from her personal journey of spiritual growth and Dharma propagation, Venerable Miao Guang offered relatable guidance grounded in Buddhist teachings. She addressed the confusion and pressures today’s youth often encounter: questions of identity, conflict, and decision-making, urging them to find inner clarity and resilience through the wisdom of the Dharma.

She emphasized the value of engaging in temple activities and volunteer work as a means to develop responsibility, teamwork, and a deeper sense of purpose. “It is only through the act of giving that one can truly discover self-identity and the value of life,” she noted. In a world overloaded with information and social comparison, she warned of the risk of losing direction and self-awareness. As a solution, she recommended using the Noble Eightfold Path, especially Right View and Right Thought, as a steady compass for life’s many decisions and challenges.

The 32 participants included 12 youth leaders and group members, 11 assistant teachers from the English Children's Dharma Class, 4 youth instructors from the Dragon and Lion Dance Team, and members of the English subchapter. Also present was Chengkai Chen, a young adult recently returned from North Carolina, USA. Throughout the session, the youth actively asked questions on how to manage interpersonal tensions, lead with compassion, and make wise choices during life’s pivotal moments.

In response, Venerable Miao Guang offered practical teachings infused with Buddhist principles and her lived experience. She stressed the importance of empathy over retaliation, leading by example, and cultivating a spirit of perseverance and compassion. She encouraged youth to transform compassionate intentions into concrete actions and to remain grounded in their values even in the face of setbacks.

As the session concluded, participants shared how the dialogue had given them clarity and motivation. Dianxun Wu expressed that the talk helped him realize that “as long as one has a clear direction and compassion in their heart, they can move forward bravely without fear of difficulty.”

This meaningful gathering not only provided answers to personal questions, but also sparked renewed confidence, inspiration, and strength for the youth to walk their path with purpose and joy.