On February 20, a group of 50 visitors, including five teachers and fourth-grade students from Branksome Hall Junior School in Toronto, led by teacher Marianne Long, visited Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple of Toronto. They were warmly welcomed by FGS Toronto Superintendent Venerable Zhi Guan, Venerable Ru An, and volunteer tour guide Jesse Chung. 

The young students, lively yet courteous, arrived with notebooks in hand, ready to document their experience. In the Main Shrine, Venerable Zhi Guan introduced them to the founding story of Fo Guang Shan and the core teachings of Buddhism through engaging Buddha stories. The highlight of this session was the introduction toBuddhist instruments, where the students listened attentively, took notes, and even sketched images of the Buddha statue. Though simple, their sketches captured the serene and joyful essence of the Buddha, bringing smiles to all.

The group then proceeded to the Buddha’s Cultural Museum, where Venerable Ru An introduced the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, explaining its symbolism of compassion. She also shared the "Three Acts of Goodness"—Do good deeds, Speak good words, and Think good thoughts—encouraging the students to reflect on how kindness can bring happiness to themselves and others.

 The visit included a short meditation session. With gentle guidance, the students practiced focusing their minds and experiencing the calming power of mindfulness. Volunteer Jesse then used an animated video from The Way of Chan to explain the Buddhist principle of the "Four Essentials of Conducting Oneself" in a simple and relatable way, helping the students understand how cause and effect shape their daily interactions. The students were engaged, eagerly asking questions and contributing to a lively discussion.

 Marianne expressed her gratitude for the visit, noting how actively the students participated. She shared that Branksome Hall values diverse religious and cultural learning experiences.

‍