Hsi Lai Temple Honors Volunteer Bodhisattvas Walking the Same Path with Shared Aspirations to Bring Warmth to the World
Report by Ching-Hsia Pan, The Life News Agency, Los Angeles, USA
“I’m not afraid. With you by my side, I can be even stronger…” As the melody of It’s So Good to Have You filled the air, warmth quietly spread throughout Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple. On May 2, 310 volunteers gathered for the Volunteer Appreciation Gathering, reflecting on the past, looking toward the future, and deepening their understanding of the spirit of the “Volunteer Bodhisattva” through Dharma teachings. Participants were encouraged to cultivate both blessings and wisdom through service and self-improvement, walking together with shared aspirations while supporting the temple as a home for nurturing wisdom and spiritual growth.
As volunteers checked in, the song It’s So Good to Have You played in the background while the venerables warmly welcomed everyone “home.” After taking their seats in the Main Shrine, attendees watched a behind-the-scenes video documenting the March 21 ceremony honoring the enshrinement of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s relics and the transmission of the Dharma lamp to the five continents at Hsi Lai Temple. The video highlighted the extensive planning, training, and rehearsals that made the event possible. It concluded with the message, “Thank you to all the volunteers for making this possible,” drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
In a video teaching, Venerable Master Hsing Yun explained the essence of volunteer service through the Bodhisattva spirit, noting that volunteers are therefore called “Volunteer Bodhisattvas.” He emphasized that when service becomes a form of spiritual practice, it reveals a deeper and more transformative power.
In his remarks, Hsi Lai Temple Abbot Venerable Huidong continued Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teachings by affirming that volunteers practice the Bodhisattva path through service. He expressed gratitude for their dedication and support, emphasizing that the Six Paramitas—generosity, ethical conduct, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom—can all be cultivated through volunteer service. He also introduced the volunteers from various departments and the monastics who guide them, prompting enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
Following a video review of the temple’s 2025 activities, Venerable Jue Miao, advisor to the Volunteer Group, introduced the volunteer system and highlighted the importance of receiving the precepts and attending courses at the Humanistic Buddhism Institute. She encouraged volunteers not only to cultivate blessings through service but also to deepen their Buddhist learning and wisdom, thereby practicing the dual cultivation of blessings and wisdom while supporting the temple as a home for spiritual growth.
The program continued with a prayer service led by Venerable Huidong. Participants respectfully recited Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Prayer for Volunteers and offered lamps before the Buddha, making collective vows for their continued practice and service.
In the evening, a banquet was held in the Five Contemplations Hall. Venerable Huidong led everyone in raising their glasses and joyfully proclaiming, “It’s so good to have you!” He also expressed appreciation to the students from Hsi Lai Buddhist Academy for volunteering as dining hall attendants.
The banquet featured a raffle drawing, with winners excitedly exclaiming, “Yay! It’s me!” The grand prize, a framed calligraphy piece by Venerable Master Hsing Yun inscribed with the words Harmony and Coexistence, Galloping Towards Success, was awarded to Fo Guang Hsi Lai School volunteer Kuo Li-Chen.
Volunteers from various departments also presented performances to foster friendship and camaraderie. The Book Store & Gift Shop opened the program with the Welcome Song, featuring both singing and dancing. The Social Education Department followed with the French song Comment Ça Va, encouraging audience participation as attendees clapped along enthusiastically. Students from Hsi Lai School performed Fo Guang Shan Song on the violin, while BLIA Los Angeles South Bay Subchapter 2 entertained the audience with a lively and humorous traditional Chinese crosstalk performance. The Dharma Affairs Department presented Listen to Me Say Thank You, conveying the shared aspiration of creating a Pure Land on Earth.
The evening concluded with Venerable Huidong leading the monastics in singing The Song of Dharma Propagators and Fo Guang Shan Song, inviting everyone to join in. Amid the heartfelt lyrics, “May the Buddha’s Light shine forever; may the Dharma waters flow endlessly,” along with laughter and joyful voices throughout the hall, the Volunteer Appreciation Gathering came to a successful and heartwarming close.
Photo Captions (Photos 01–10 by Chang Chih-cheng)
