Young Devotees Inspired to Uphold the Dharma at Hsi Lai Temple’s Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple
May ２１, 2025

On May 3, 2025, Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple hosted Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony, drawing 223 participants from across the United States. Among them were 87 young people under the age of 35—including members of the Young Adults Division (YAD), Hsi Lai Temple Volunteers, TAG (Three Acts of Goodness) School students, and Hsi Lai Academy students—who vowed to embrace the Buddha's teachings and uphold the Five Precepts as a moral compass in their lives.

In the Dharma class titled “Precepts in Humanistic Buddhism”, Venerable Yi Kung, Director of the Fo Guang Shan Culture Council, used the analogy of taking refuge as a form of spiritual “insurance” and precepts as self-discipline, she encouraged attendees to abandon harmful behavior, cultivate good deeds, and build a life of moral clarity. Emphasizing that the essence of precepts lies in “not violating others,” she urged the community to practice ethical conduct both personally and professionally, echoing Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s cultivation principles: “You are well, and I am not; you are right, and I am wrong; you are important, and I am not; you can have, and I own nothing.”

Venerable Miao Hsi guided the English-speaking participants, clarifying the meaning of the Triple Gem and Five Precepts. In a Q&A session, she addressed common concerns such as vegetarianism, cultural differences, and interfaith understanding, deepening the preceptees’ appreciation for the practice.

Venerable Hui Dong, the abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, explained that spiritual cultivation is the purification of the mind. By distancing oneself from wrongdoing and embodying compassion, one finds inner peace. He reminded attendees to “take the precepts as teacher and the Dharma as guide,” allowing discipline to shape a stable, luminous life. He added, “If everyone lives by the precepts, our families, society, and nations will naturally become more harmonious.”

Before the ceremony, Venerable Zhi Song and Venerable Hui Ze guided participants through Buddhist etiquettes such as how to properly wear the monastic robe. Venerable Zhi Song cited the Ch’an Gongan “The whole body is eyes” to urge preceptees to remain aware of their thoughts, body, and environment at all times.

After the ceremony, many new preceptees shared their motivations and insights:

Christian Suarez, who previously attended Hsi Lai Temple’s meditation retreat and monastic retreat program, said the experiences sparked his aspiration to receive the precepts. He has since enrolled in Hsi Lai Buddhist Retreat and thanked Venerable Hui Cheng for encouraging his spiritual resolve.

Sebastian Gonzales, inspired by his family to attend, said the precepts have helped him become more mindful and appreciate his inner purity. Though initially nervous, he found the experience deeply rewarding.

Peiyu Lan, a social education leader from Fo Guang Shan San Bao Temple in San Francisco, took refuge last year and said the teachings have since become an integral part of her life. This year, she felt ready to take the Five Precepts, describing the day as both uplifting and deeply moving.

A family from Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple in Austin, Texas—Yang Qiuzhen, Yu Chungu, Li Qun, and Shi Lei—traveled with their daughters Claire and Olivia to receive the precepts together. Yang described the Five Precepts as an inner guardian that keeps her mindful, while Shi expressed gratitude that their children could participate. Nine-year-old Vivian vowed to follow Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s example by being a kind person who brings light to others. Thirteen-year-old Claire aspired to spread Humanistic Buddhism and serve the community.

The youngest preceptee of the day was 1-year-old Jamie Nguyen, accompanied by his mother Michelle Ta. Raised in a Buddhist household, Michelle had vowed during pregnancy to raise her child close to the Dharma. She shared that her older son had become noticeably more compassionate and respectful toward life after taken the refuge.

Three siblings from Hsi Lai Academy—Chih-Yao, Chih-Yueh, and Ming-Hsuan Chen—took the precepts together again. Ming-Hsuan said this time helped him better understand the Five Precepts, while Chih-Yueh admitted not lying was challenging but committed to telling the truth. Chih-Yao noted that taking the precepts together had brought their family greater harmony.

Yudha Dewantoro and his wife Cenny Kuesal, parents from the TAG School, took the precepts along with their sons James and Steven. Yudha believes the precepts help steer individuals away from wrongdoing and keep them on the right path.

The ceremony concluded in a tranquil and dignified atmosphere, with each participant making vows before the Buddha and planting seeds of Bodhi that will support the continued flourishing of Humanistic Buddhism.