Xiang Yun Temple Launches Advanced Youth Training

Cultivating Future Dharma Promoters

Reported by Minglei Shi, Humanistic Buddhism News Service, Austin

To promote youth education in Humanistic Buddhism, Venerable Yongjia at Xiang Yun Temple in Austin launched an “Advanced Dharma Instrument Practice and Buddhist Chanting Class” on November 8. Members of Fo Guang Youth Group II — Alex, Claire, Alwin, and Olivia — participated. The class was conducted in both Chinese and English. Venerable Yongjia guided students in exploring the meaning of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s “Star Cloud Verses,” helping them learn correct tones and rhythm. Through interactive questions, the youths were encouraged to experience and understand the Dharma through sound.

In the second half of the class, the Venerable taught the performance of “Incense Offering Chant” with Dharma instruments, explaining handbell-drumming techniques. He encouraged the youths to cultivate four types of strength, especially the ability to take responsibility, and to apply their learning in Dharma services, offering their voices as devotion to the Three Jewels.

To help prepare for the upcoming “North America Buddhist Studies Examination,” the temple also launched a “Youth Exam Preparation Class,” taught by Sister Zhiding under the guidance of Venerable Yongjia. Six participants learned through group response and teamwork, creating a lively and effective learning atmosphere.

Venerable Jueji, the temple’s director, announced that XiangYun Temple will establish a “Youth Buddhist Studies Scholarship,” and in 2026 will introduce the “Lotus Messenger Training Program,” aiming to cultivate young people who can serve the public through Chinese language and Buddhist chanting becoming a new welcoming force in Dharma propagation.

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