Sharing - Inspiration Camp

It was hard to image what a weekend of "self-inspiration" would be like. What would I learn from just playing games at a park? How would I work as a team with others if I hardly knew them?

When we first arrived at the park, it was cold, and the grass was wet. It seemed like no one really wanted to spend the day out in the muddy field. With this strange man beginning to tell us how much we were going to learn and told us when to give him thumbs up, it was clear that more people we getting more weary over this weekend. However, the mood began to change when we started getting into some ice breakers. Next thing we know, we were in groups, figuring out a way to get the stuffed dog before the other team. It wasn't long before everyone was laughing and really getting involved in all the activities.

Before we knew it, it was the last day and we were enjoying our lunches and chatting away about the activities from the day before. Although we struggled through a couple of challenges that our teacher offered us, in the end we were still able to unite as a group to complete our goal.

This weekend was filled with back to back games and challenges that pushed us to learn how to become a leader and an affective team member. From the "save-the-dog" game to making our own lunch, it is clear that everyone who attended this event have learned how to listen to others, be open-minded and work with others as a team. (Emily)

Halloween at Temple –by emily

"Spooky fun" is the phrase that best describes the Hsi Lai Haunted House event on Saturday, October 28th. The members of YAD LA hosted a very elaborate and fun-filled Halloween celebration by setting up a Haunted House in the old gift shop and another one in the hallway beneath Bodhisattva Hall. They separated the Haunted House into several sections: The hell of eye pecking, hand and legs, tongue ploughs and burning iron beds. After visiting all these areas the tour guide leads the visitors to the next part of the tour. They are led to the entrance of the hallway and are asked to enter one at a time, where they are greeted by a girl who looks like she came from a Japanese horror film. She rises up and offers you a piece of candy from her long sleeve for the visitor's journey back.

Besides the creepy Haunted House, there was also a game station held in classrooms 1 and 2. South Bay and Hsi Lai YAD members prepared games, face painting and refreshments for the guests. At this part of the evening, people were able to interact with each other. With Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and "The Monster Mash" playing in the background it was easy for people to have fun.

After everyone had their turn into the Haunted House, it was time for the Pumpkin Carving! The pumpkins were brought in and everyone was asked to split up into small groups of 2 or 3. Guests were given tools and one hour to carve up their creations. Once each group was done, their pumpkin was taken outside and lit up. When everyone finished, Venerables were elected as judges to decided who was the most creative. The winner was announced and the event was drawn to a close.

Not many people have spent Halloween in a Buddhist temple, but judging from this event more people should. Hsi Lai's Haunted House Halloween party turned out to be a success and I can't wait to see what is in store for us next year!

Self Inspiration Camp

A very special event called Self-Inspiration Camp was held on the weekend of September 31st and October 1st, 2006. YAD LA was honored to have trainer Jian lead this camp. Mr Jian invited several senior members of YAD LA to join him and designed a series of adventure-based experiential curriculum for all southern California YAD members, including Hsi Lai, South Bay, and San Diego chapter.

The event began on the grass field at Whittier Narrows Park. In the short introduction of camp rules, Mr. Jian asked every participant to do one simple thing: if the youths agree with Mr. Jian, or each other’s opinions, the youths will show a “thumbs-up” gesture and speak out loud “I agree” to show that they paid attention and heard what was discussed, and agreed with the conclusion. Throughout the two day event, everyone indeed executed this action very well and demonstrated how much each and every youth wanted to better themselves.

Throughout the two days event, the youths have learned from the activities and games to let go of their ego, listen, and respect other people’s opinions, and coorporate with each other to overcome challenges and to achieve the team’s goal. At the end of the second day, each participants shared what they have learned: if everyone only accepts only one’s own opinion, then the team will collapse. However, if everyone will listen to each other’s opinion, try to organize these opinions and cooperate, the power this team will demonstrate will truly be amazing.

When concluding the event, Mr. Jian also encouraged these youths to take what they have learned in these two days and apply these experiences to school, work, family, or any other groups. He believes that the youths will better themselves by doing so, and he will then come back next year to take the youths to more awesome adventures and challenges.