North Carolina Universal Tea Gathering and Volunteer Gathering: A Heartfelt Appreciation for Volunteers

[Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] 

On March 1, 2025, Fo Guang Shan North Carolina held the 2025 Universal Tea Gathering and Volunteer Gathering, bringing together over 60 volunteers to reflect on their past year's efforts and contributions. The event means the offering of tea to everyone in the monastery to recognize their hard work. The monastics personally prepared pickled vegetable rice balls. Venerable Miao Jou, the temple’s superintendent, led the monastics in offering these pickled vegetable rice balls to each volunteer as a gesture of gratitude.

Venerable Miao Jou explains the significance of the Universal Tea Gathering, emphasizing the meaning of "universal" (普) as equality and sharing, while recounting the story of "Half Bowl of Pickled Vegetables" and the deep significance of enjoying pickled vegetable rice balls on Fo Guang Shan Founding Master Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Renunciation Day—a tribute to their teacher and a call to propagate the Dharma. (Photo by Yvonne Hao)

Venerable Miao Jou explained the significance of the Universal Tea Gathering, highlighting that "universal" (普) represents equality and shared blessings. She also recounted the story of the "Half Bowl of Pickled Vegetables" and elaborated on the deep meaning behind enjoying pickled vegetable rice balls on the anniversary of the Fo Guang Shan Founding Master Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Renunciation Day—a tribute to their teacher and an inspiration for their dedication to spreading the Dharma. She commended the commitment and dedication of all volunteers, emphasizing how their efforts have greatly contributed to the flourishing of Dharma propagation at Fo Guang Shan North Carolina.

May Shiue, President of BLIA North Carolina Chapter, shares how her supervisor once asked why she was always energetic on Mondays. She smiled and replied: "Because volunteering at the temple is my energy station!" (Photo by Xiangqing Ding)

May Shiue, President of BLIA North Carolina Chapter, shared her journey with the temple, recalling how she first encountered Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina in 2007. Initially attending events occasionally, she eventually became a weekly volunteer. Her supervisor once curiously asked why she was always so energetic on Mondays, to which she replied with a smile: “Because I volunteer at the temple on weekends—it's my energy station!" Through volunteering, she found like-minded friends, gained a sense of fulfillment and achievement, and grew along the Bodhisattva Path. She expressed her hope that everyone would continue working together as a team to expand the BLIA community and inspire more people to join as volunteers.

Venerable Miao Jou and the temple’s monastics distribute pickled vegetable rice balls and Dharma gifts to attendees, expressing gratitude for their year-long dedication and support. (Photo by Yvonne Hao)

Gee Chia, President of BLIA North Carolina First Subchapter, expressed her gratitude to the monastics for their guidance and care, which have helped everyone find happiness in volunteering. She also thanked her fellow volunteers for their cooperation, which has brought joy, confidence, and personal growth. From occasionally bringing her children to help at the temple to becoming a subchapter leader in recent years, she deeply appreciates the power of teamwork and the joy of working together to complete every event successfully.

Volunteers enthusiastically complete their bingo tasks during the interactive icebreaker game. (Photo by Yvonne Hao)

Haifeng Liu, President of BLIA North Carolina Second Subchapter, reflected on memorable moments working with volunteers. He recalled how, during the end-of-year temple cleaning, when the tools for cleaning high windows were inadequate, volunteer Shi-Min Liu cleverly used cardboard and tape to solve the problem. This demonstrated the spirit of “Uninvited Friends” and “Collective Effort,” often emphasized by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Moving into the new year, he encouraged everyone to uphold the Four Givings philosophy in their volunteer work, find joy in serving others, and spread that joy even further.

Venerable Man Yuan draws lucky winners in the on-site raffle. (Photo by Xiangqing Ding)

The event featured a variety of engaging activities, including a blessing ceremony for volunteers, interactive icebreaker games, a retrospective video screening, a lucky draw, a sing-along of “The Ten Practices Song” by the choir team, and heartfelt volunteer service sharing. The gathering concluded with monastics leading the singing of "The Song of Dharma Propagators" and "Fo Guang People Everywhere", marking a perfect end to the celebration.

Andrew Byerly, a volunteer at Fo Guang Shan North Carolina, shares his experience. (Photo by Xiangqing Ding)

Monastics lead the singing of "The Song of Dharma Propagators" and "Fo Guang People Everywhere." (Photo by Xiangqing Ding)

Monastics personally prepare pickled vegetable rice balls and Dharma gifts for volunteers. (Photo by Yvonne Hao)

Attendees enjoy delicious homemade food brought by the volunteers. (Photo by Yvonne Hao)

Fo Guang Shan North Carolina’s 2025 Universal Tea Gathering and Volunteer Gathering on March 1, 2025, where over 60 volunteers gathered to reflect on their past year's dedication and contributions. (Photo by Xiangqing Ding)