The 2025 session of the Buddha’s Light Children’s English Dharma Class officially began on March 9, with classes held at both the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple of Toronto in Mississauga and the Buddha’s Light Center in Markham. This semester’s theme, Shine Bright and Grow Wise!, attracted 35 children aged 5 to 12, eager to explore Buddhist teachings in an engaging and supportive environment.

A dedicated team of 20 volunteers from the temple’s Youth Group and Scout Group led the classes, guiding students to practice the Three Acts of Goodness: do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts. Through storytelling, mindfulness exercises, Buddhist etiquette lessons, arts and crafts, and group activities, children learned how to integrate Buddhist values into daily life while cultivating compassion and gratitude.

The session began with group chanting of Oath to the Triple Gem, Pearls of Wisdom (Prayer), and The Dedication of Merits, as the children recited with focus and reverence. To help them bond, teachers introduced an icebreaker game, Two Truths and a Lie, encouraging laughter and interaction. Soon, the children became comfortable with one another, enjoying teamwork and quickly learning their new friends’ names.

The class also introduced basic Buddhist etiquette, with teachers demonstrating how to properly greet others with joined palms and perform respectful half-bows. With guidance from teaching assistants, students practiced with sincerity, experiencing the mindfulness and respect emphasized in Buddhist traditions.

Venerable Ru An shared Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Parable of the Chopsticks in Heaven and Hell, illustrating the joy of sharing and helping others. She encouraged the children to embody the Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings in theirdaily lives while expressing gratitude for their teachers’ efforts in designing the curriculum.

By the end of the first class, the young participants felt a strong sense of belonging. One child excitedly toldhis mother, "I like it here! I want to come back again!" His heartfelt words were a touching affirmation of the teachers’ dedication ,inspiring them to continue nurturing young minds with wisdom and kindness.