人間通訊社

HACIENDA HEIGHTS, CA – Hsi Lai Temple conducted a “Temple Stay for Young Adults” retreat on December 9 and 10, 2017. The retreat allowed 19 young people to withdraw from their daily lives for two days, and live the lifestyle of Buddhist monastics in a Buddhist monastery.

The young adults followed a strict schedule which began on Saturday morning with orientation, followed by five classes and evening English chanting. The next day, they woke up early at 6:30am and then practiced meditation, eating breakfast in silence, and listening to reflections about the retreat from everyone who participated.

“Everything that we do from eating, walking, or lining up is the practice of mindfulness and meditation,” said Venerable Youheng, Director of Social Education and Outreach Department at Hsi Lai Temple, during the “Buddhist Etiquette” class. The retreat emphasized how to live life in mindfulness and become skilled in that practice through meditation.

Anthony Hao, 18, who has been attending Hsi Lai Temple with his parents since he was 3 years old, has participated in different retreats and said “I always learn something new.”

The retreat ended with a session conducted by the Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, Venerable Hui Dong, where he praised everyone’s willingness to participate in the retreat.

“You might be thinking, ‘why am I doing this?’ But the more that you do it, then you can choose what’s right and what’s wrong,” said Venerable Hui Dong. He continued, “That’s good if you have struggled because it means that you can find the causes for the struggle. Instead of wanting to conquer others and the environment [when struggling], you can conquer your mind.”

Temple Stay for Young Adults two-day retreat gives those who are 18 to 35 years old the opportunity to experience living like a Buddhist monastic at Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California. The retreat is offered throughout the year at Hsi Lai Temple, and those interested in participating can register online at the temple’s website.

For more information about Hsi Lai Temple’s retreats and other activities, visit www.hsilai.org