Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto
March 14, 2024

On February 24th, the dedicated Buddha’s Light Children Dharma Class teacher team gathered at the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto for a comprehensive teacher training and curriculum discussion workshop. The workshop attracted teachers and teaching assistants from both the Mississauga and Markham campuses.

Venerable Ru An, the Director of Social Education, commenced the training session with a heartwarming activity aimed at fostering a sense of unity among the participants. The workshop coincided with the first anniversary of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s passing. In homage to the late founder of FGS, Venerable Ru An shared the Venerable Master's profound Dharma Talk on "Liberated and at Ease." She emphasized the importance of embodying the teachings in daily life, urging all educators to not only mentor but also to nurture young hearts with the Dharma. The seeds of Bodhi planted in the children's hearts will serve as a beacon of guidance and protection on their spiritual journey.

In an effort to deepen the students' faith and confidence in themselves, the children will now engage in Buddhist chanting services before each class. This practice aims to instill Buddhist etiquette in their daily conduct and allow them to connect wholeheartedly with the Buddha through chanting.

The theme for the Spring 2024 program, "Embrace, Empower, Elevate: The Power of Patience," inspired lively discussions among the teachers during the curriculum planning session. The educators are eager to provide opportunities for children to experience and realize the boundless power of goodwill, viewing adversities as avenues for growth.

To foster a sense of community within the Temple, the teaching team creatively integrated upcoming Temple events into the program calendar. These include the Buddha’s Birthday storytelling competition and a performance at the annual Veggie Food Fair in June. Venerable Ru An offered insights into the Spring program content and strategies for effective classroom management towards the end of the group discussion.

The encouragement and support from Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of FGS Temple of Toronto, and Venerable Zhi Guan, the Superintendent of FGS Toronto, uplifted the teaching team. The Abbess emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Children Dharma Class program and other youth programs, promoting the localization of Humanistic Buddhism. Venerable Zhi Guan highlighted the significance of being observant as educators, enabling them to be responsive to the children's needs.

Unified in their dedication to propagating Humanistic Buddhism, the workshop participants expressed gratitude for the mentorship of the Venerable Master and the camaraderie among colleagues. The team concluded the training with a resolute mission statement: "Nurturing young hearts with compassion and wisdom!"