Hsi-Lai Temple Scout Serves Community through Environmental Action, Attains Eagle Scout Rank
Report by Xin Yu, The Life News Agency, Los Angeles, USA
On the evening of May 24, Venerable Hui Cheng of the Hsi-Lai Temple Department of Social Education and Outreach led Three Acts of Goodness (TAG) School faculty members, parents, and scouts to attend Brian Lo’s Eagle Rank award ceremony at Sage Granada Methodist Church. On behalf of Hsi-Lai Temple, Venerable Hui Cheng presented a certificate of gratitude, thanking Brian for his long-term dedication to the protection of the environment and his service to the community.
Venerable Hui Cheng stated that by taking action to realize environmental sustainability, community service, and Fo Guang Shan’s philosophy of caring for the environment and cherishing resources, Brian is a role model for our youth.
Scoutmaster Paul Wong stated that service, friendship, morality, responsibility, and courage are core Scout values and that because it frequently takes on average ten years for scouts to achieve Eagle rank, the highest honor in the Scouts, attaining this rank holds significant meaning and honor.
Paul Wong also encouraged Brian to continue to exhibit his leadership and take action to give back to the community even as he has attained Eagle rank as he will continue to shoulder the responsibility to serve his community, country, and other realms in the future. Paul also took the opportunity to introduce each scout’s project and explained that each scout must complete a community service plan, present the plan, and execute and lead the project to completion to attain Eagle rank.
Brian Lo’s Eagle rank project was to design a sustainable waste management system. After much research, he decided on a three-tiered worm compost to process food waste with low odor and high efficiency.
Brian used flaxseed oil treated wood to build a non-toxic and durable compost. Future worm castings can be used by Hsi-Lai Temple to use in its gardens. This plan combines woodwork with environmental education to bring long-term benefits to the temple and surrounding community.
Brian thanked the temple sangha for their support and for providing a place to host the project. He also thanked his fellow scouts, friends, and family for helping him complete the compost system. Furthermore, he expressed his thanks to the TAG School for its years of cultivation and companionship and expressed his wish to live his Scout values of service by dedicating himself to environmental work and community service. The atmosphere that evening was full of warmth as faculty and parents alike beamed with pride and comfort in Brian’s growth and achievements.
Photo Credit: Venerable Hui Cheng
