The financial aid presentation in the Luodong area of Yilan was held jointly with “The Buddhist-Style Joint Birthday Celebrations for the Elderly” for the first time at the Lanyang Branch Monastery on October 7th. The activities were designed to enhance the interaction between the seniors and the students, stimulating the young students’ learning as their curiosity was piqued by the seniors’ numerous talents and rich life experiences.

The Fengyuan office took the students and their parents hiking in Fengyuan’s Zhongzheng Park for Outdoor Meditation on October 20th. The Luzhou office in Sanchong invited the students to the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education to experience peace in body and mind within an enriching setting. The Danshui office communicated and exchanged warmly with the students through book study and hands-on activities and crafts. The Jinshan Wanli and Zhushan areas, by coincidence, both arranged to make rub-on handkerchiefs, so the students could demonstrate their creativity. All of these well thought out activities provided excellent opportunities for students to experience warm and entertaining learning.

In the morning of November 17th, the Dharma Drum for Young People created and performed a situational short play at the Presentation Day of the Pingdong and Chaozhou areas. The actors related with the students and their parents through their performances by vividly portraying the problems students confront in their daily lives, such as interpersonal relationships, coursework, parent-child relationships, direction in life and dating. They provided insights in how to address these problems through Buddhadharma. At the “Knock, knock” session, Venerable Changsui (常隨法師), the Deputy Secretary of DDM Social Welfare & Charity Foundation, suggested always keeping a curious mind about the unknown. This is particularly helpful when we agonize over whether to continue with education or enter the workforce. Whatever happens is for the best, assuming we follow and learn from the causes and conditions in the present moment. At the same time, Venerable Changsui invited every one of us to cultivate the right attitude of “helping others” at all times.

A joint presentation for the Taoyuan, Xinzhu and Zhongli areas was held at the Zhaiming Branch Monastery in Taoyuan on the same day. The presentation, like nourishing rain in early winter, brought together around 400 students and parents. Venerable Guoqi (果器法師), Secretary General of DDM Social Welfare & Charity Foundation presented the special “Presidential Education Award” to two students. He encouraged the students to have confidence in themselves. The students should grasp and make good use of what they have, which will lead to infinite possibilities. He also addressed the parents, complimenting them on the wonderful jobs they had done. Venerable Guozhou (果舟法師), the Director of Zhaiming Monastery blessed the students and parents by sharing the method of “Chant Guanyin, pray to Guanyin, learn from Guanyin and become Guanyin.” She invited the students and parents to chant Guanyin’s name and pray to Guanyin when facing difficulties. She further urged them to have the firm belief that they themselves can be Bodhisattvas because they all have great compassion and wisdom; and do good deeds for other people.

Zhang Jiahao (張家豪) is a 5th grade student from Zhongli. His family is going through a big financial problem as his father, the family’s bread winner, has not recovered from a serious car accident. His mother, Guan Minqi (關旻錡), expressed that even through this time of difficulty, she feels tremendous faith and comfort when hearing the chanting of Guanyin Bodhisattva’s holy name. She believes that difficulty is transient and she will be able to help more people to repay the society in the future. Her son is doing well in school. While she wants him to be a doctor, her son wishes to be a judge to help the society to maintain fairness and justice and at the same time help underprivileged people.

Liu Shenghong (劉聖鴻) is a volunteer and a recipient of the “Grants and Scholarships for Students” while at college. Through this connection, he became familiar with DDM and identified with the ideas the late Master Sheng Yen and DDM promoted. After graduating from college, he has been volunteering at various Branch Monasteries, participating in DDM Youth activities and working as a team lead at the family camps. He has devoted himself to giving back to society.

Summary report: Venerable Yanhua; Dharma Drum Monthly
Translation: Luh Nelson (邢璐)
Editing: DDM Editorial Team

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