North Carolina Middle School Visits Fo Guang Shan NC to Experience Buddhist Culture and Life Wisdom

[Reported by Hai Kuo, North Carolina, USA] 

On May 21, 2025, Exploris Middle School from Raleigh, North Carolina, visited Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina, for an educational field trip. Approximately 90 sixth-grade students, teachers, and parents participated. The visit combined elements of humanities, religion, and art to deepen students’ understanding of diverse religious traditions.

Venerable Miao Jou welcomes the group at the Jade Buddha Shrine, introduces the "Auspicious" gesture, and shares an overview of Fo Guang Shan’s founding by Venerable Master Hsing Yun and the life of the Buddha, along with the meaning and practice of the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.

Fo Guang Shan NC curated a rich and engaging 90-minute program to introduce students to the foundational principles and lived practices of Buddhism.

Venerable Miao Jou, the temple’s superintendent, welcomed the group at the Jade Buddha Shrine and introduced the "Auspicious" hand gesture. She gave a brief overview of Fo Guang Shan’s founding by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, shared key aspects of the Buddha’s life, and explained the significance and process of the Buddha Bathing Ceremony. Students, teachers, and parents then took turns bathing the statue of Prince Siddhartha—a symbolic act of purification. Participants also made vows to practice the “Three Acts of Goodness,” nurturing wholesome character while experiencing the reverence and blessings of Buddhist faith.

Venerable Zhi San guided students through the animated film The Life of the Buddha, illustrating the Buddha’s path of spiritual cultivation, compassion, and wisdom. In the following Q&A session, she explained core Buddhist values such as the equality of all beings and the Middle Path. She emphasized the importance of kind speech, fair treatment of others, and sustaining wholesome thoughts in everyday life.

Exploris Middle School from Raleigh, North Carolina, visits Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple on May 21, 2025, with approximately 90 sixth-grade students, teachers, and parents.

Students then rotated through three cultural experience stations. Under Venerable Zhi San’s guidance, one group visited a Buddhist art exhibit in the temple’s Cultural Corridor and learned about the vision behind Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s One-Stroke Calligraphy. Volunteer Yu-Fei Fu led a calligraphy session where students practiced transcribing the “Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings.” She introduced the origins of Chinese characters and demonstrated how calligraphy can cultivate mindfulness and concentration.

Students line up to participate in the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.

Another group, guided by volunteer Mira Lin, folded paper lotuses—a symbol of purity rising above the mud. Students were encouraged to wear their completed lotus crafts on their wrists or in their hair, as a symbol of inner clarity and goodwill.

Many students and parents shared their reflections. One student expressed admiration for Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s graceful and powerful calligraphy, completed in a single stroke, and deep respect for his compassionate contributions. A parent shared that he learned a great deal about Buddhism during the visit and especially enjoyed the Buddha Bathing Ceremony. He was also struck by the film’s use of water as a metaphor for how dishonesty can pollute the mind.

Venerable Miao Jou assists students with their lotus folding projects.

Venerable Zhi San leads students through the Buddhist art exhibit in the Cultural Corridor and explains Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s “One-Stroke Calligraphy.”

Students view the animated film The Life of the Buddha inside the Jade Buddha Shrine.

Volunteer Yu-Fei Fu demonstrates proper brush handling during the calligraphy session.

Students practice transcribing phrases from the “Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings.”

Students proudly display their completed lotus crafts.