Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
September 22, 2023

On September 17th, Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) New York Chapter Flushing 1st Subchapter hosted a vegetarian Mid-Autumn Festival celebration at the Five Contemplations Hall in I.B.P.S. New York.

The President of BLIA New York Chapter, Chen Cheng-Hui, along with 18 subchapter executives and members, attended the event. They listened to a sharing session titled "How to Approach Life Positively" by the Humanistic Buddhism Speaker and the President of BLIA NY Radiance Subchapter, Zhao Yun-Han.

Zhao Yun-Han mentioned, "Think positively in everything you do, in how you listen, in your choice of friends, and in your career." She gave examples, emphasizing that when you approach things with a positive mindset, you will see a brighter future, free from worries and filled with opportunities. She highlighted the beauty of Buddhist teachings and encouraged everyone to learn and follow the example set by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

The vegetarian Mid-Autumn Festival celebration also promotes "Environmental and Spiritual Preservation." photo／The Life News Agency

The Guiding Venerable, Venerable Jue Rang, encouraged Fo Guang members, saying, "The most challenging part of life is finding opportunities, and the simplest is learning." Venerable Jue Rang also shared her experience in preparing presentations and taught how to create effective presentations. She mentioned that a presentation is like a movie, and the presenter is the director. They need to prepare a script and content, as well as manage the timing. When using images, they should be impactful to achieve effective communication.

The vegetarian Mid-Autumn Festival celebration also promotes "Environmental and Spiritual Preservation." Fo Guang members embrace a vibrant life through vegetarianism. They express that "vegetarianism is not just about vegetables and tofu." Vegetarian ingredients are diverse, prepared in various ways, and offer rich flavors. Choosing a vegetarian diet is beneficial for health and can purify the soul. Vegetarianism allows individuals to practice self-discipline and live a fulfilling life.

President Zhu Ming Feng expressed that the sharing of Venerable Zhao Yun Han, the Humanistic Buddhism Speaker, on Venerable Master Hsing Yun's excellent writings was highly inspiring to everyone. Life inevitably presents many unfavorable and vexing situations, and it depends on how one chooses to face them without dwelling too much on gains and losses. In preparation for the vegetarian Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, everyone dedicated great effort to source ingredients, allowing others to understand the benefits of a vegetarian diet. They advocated the "Vegetarian Plan A" initiative, contributing to environmental conservation and promoting physical and mental health. The spirit of Fo Guang members is characterized by seriousness, responsibility, thoughtful consideration, and empathy for others.