CNEWS Reporters Li Yi-lun, Lin You-wei / Sri Lanka Report

With bright eyes and adorable smiles, 100 Sri Lankan young novices dressed in robes, along with Ven. Shih Da Hui, Abbot of Taiwan’s Guang Xiu Zen Monastery and Chairman of the international Buddhist organization “One Buddha One World,” and monks from 23 countries, joyfully met yesterday (1st) at the great stupa of Abhayagiri Monastery, a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka.

This unique meeting between the Great Master and young novices took place under large trees in the plaza beside Abhayagiri’s great stupa, with brilliant sunshine and gentle breezes. In front of the solemn Buddha statue, purple lotus flowers offered by devotees to the Bodhisattva were arranged everywhere. The young novices sat on the ground and, led by Dharma teachers from various countries, completed the ceremony and sutra chanting together. Though their languages differed, the sutras they recited were in perfect harmony.

After the one-hour ceremony ended, the young novices gathered around Ven. Shih Da Hui, using the Chinese they had just learned to say “Amitabha Buddha,” “Thank you,” and “I love you.” Unlike typical active and playful children, these young novices, having been influenced by the Dharma from an early age, displayed a unique composure and stability on their innocent young faces.

After the joyful interaction, the young novices bid farewell to Ven. Shih Da Hui and returned to their daily studies and practice. Touched by the children’s spirit, Ven. Shih Da Hui was moved: “Many of these young novices made vows to come in past lives. Like myself, who became a monk at a very young age, I feel this particularly deeply. Children’s innocence and purity best correspond to the Buddha-heart that Buddhism speaks of, being most pure and good.” Whenever he is with young masters, he always feels extremely happy.

Ven. Shih Da Hui stated that One Buddha One World is an international Buddhist organization with 23 member countries, each having its own language. The Three Vehicles of Buddhism have spread to different countries with different chanting ceremonies and languages, but the content of the Dharma remains the same—the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination.

Ven. Shih Da Hui dedicates himself to promoting four major endeavors: international exchange, youth, education, and technology. This trip to Sri Lanka integrated all four endeavors: “Children are innocent and pure. Whatever good we give them, they can learn. In terms of Buddhist practice, we must continuously cultivate good habits, and this fundamentally requires starting with education.”

“Amitabha Buddha” was the first Chinese phrase Ven. Shih Da Hui taught the young novices. “Amitabha Buddha represents infinite light and infinite life. I also taught them to say ‘thank you’ and ‘I love you.’ This truly corresponds to Buddhism and represents the true meaning of promoting Humanistic Buddhism—what the Buddha taught, what people need, what purifies, and what is good and beautiful.”

Education starts from childhood, and the Dharma knows no borders. Ven. Shih Da Hui hopes Taiwan’s youth will look internationally: “We must create opportunities for Taiwan’s youth to travel the world together with young people from various countries, to deeply experience different cultures and witness the results of Buddhism’s promotion in different places.” He envisions that in the future, young people from all countries will become Buddhist friends: “Letting young people have Buddhist friends welcoming them wherever they go—this will be a beautiful vision.”

Photo source: File photo

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