Toronto Buddha’s Light YAD Caring for the Elderly: Spreading Joy through the Sounds of the Human World

October 21, 2023

The Toronto Buddha’s Light Young Adult Division (YAD) and volunteers from the Buddha’s Light Caring Group visited the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in Mississauga on October 21st, just before the Double Ninth Festival. Their aim was to bring happiness and blessings to the elderly residents through performances and interactions.

To begin, YAD members and volunteers led the elderly in fitness exercises, guided by the enthusiastic host Zhishan. These exercises included simple hand and shoulder movements that helped improve flexibility and mobility, gradually creating a livelier atmosphere.

Shannon, a YAD member, performed a creative magic card trick that incorporated the story of the Buddha's birth, earning enthusiastic applause from the elderly residents. Following this, YAD members presented a lively dance titled "Buddha in Our Hearts" to bring vitality and joy to the elderly.

The Buddha’s Light YAD sang the song "Harmonize," prompting many elderly residents to join in by raising their hands and swaying to the music. The visible happiness on the elderly's faces inspired the YAD members to sing with even more dedication. In the final part of the event, they presented peace decorations and symbolic gifts prepared by the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto to the elderly, conveying their blessings sincerely.

After the event, the Buddha’s Light YAD members shared their experiences and gained a deeper understanding of the power of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's advocacy of "Three Acts of Goodness, and Four Givings." They recognized that nurturing the Bodhi mind can contribute to the beauty and harmony of societies

Toronto Buddha’s Light YAD and Buddha’s Light Care volunteers visited the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in Mississauga on October 21, 2023, just before the Double Ninth Festival. (Photographed by Yang Weijing)
On October 21, 2023, Toronto YAD and Buddha’s Light Care volunteers visited the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in Mississauga just before the Double Ninth Festival. They led the elderly in fitness exercises. (Photographed by Chen Meifeng)
On October 21, 2023, Toronto YAD and Buddha’s Light Care volunteers visited the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in Mississauga just before the Double Ninth Festival. The Fo Guang Youth performed the dance "The Bodhisattva's Mind & Youthful Strength," bringing more vitality and joy to the elderly. (Photographed by Chen Meifeng)
On October 21, 2023, Toronto Buddha’s Light YAD and Buddha’s Light Care volunteers visited the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in Mississauga just before the Double Ninth Festival. The Toronto Buddha’s Light YAD sang "Harmonize," and many elderly individuals raised their hands and swayed to the melody. (Photographed by Chen Meifeng)