Xiangyun Temple Welcomes the New Year with Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony in Chinese and English

The Life News Agency,  Zhi Ding, Austin

To express gratitude for the volunteers' hard work in supporting the temple and serving the community throughout the year, the Fo Guang Shan Austin Xiangyun Temple held the "2025 Year-End Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony" on January 17. Nearly sixty Chinese and English-speaking volunteers gathered together to usher in the new year in a warm and solemn atmosphere. The event was organized by the Fo Guang Youth Group 2, who kicked off the celebration with lively dances, creating a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere.

In her speech, the temple director Venerable Jue Ji praised the volunteers for practicing the spirit of "Three Goods, Four Give" with joyful hearts over the years and encouraged everyone to continue progressing in the new year. Following this, the Volunteer Honor Roll was announced, recognizing the quiet dedication of ninety volunteers across twenty groups, including gardening, publicity, dining services, meditation, and translation.

Several volunteers shared their service experiences, emphasizing that volunteering not only supports the temple but also provides important opportunities for personal cultivation and growth. During the event, the "Starlight Award" was presented, and the Humanistic Song of the Year was sung. An annual review video was also played, filling the atmosphere with joy. Finally, the abbot led everyone in chanting a prayer and presented souvenirs to encourage volunteers to continue practicing Humanistic Buddhism with compassion and wisdom.