I. Overview
In the summer of 2024, the International Buddhist Temple offered a Buddhist beginners
course taught by Venerable Shan Hui and Venerable Shan Hu. The enriching eight
lesson journey, offered in Cantonese, welcomed members of the Temple, volunteers,
and those in the Greater Vancouver area who sought wisdom in the Buddhist Dharma.
Held on Sunday afternoons, each class began with simple refreshments that fostered a
sense of community. The students embraced the teachings with great enthusiasm, their
Dharma joy shining brightly. As a culmination of their experience in completing the
course, Abbot Venerable Guan Cheng led the class on an inspiring one-day pilgrimage
to Bowen Island, where they visited the Bowen Zen Monastery and the Seafront Vihara.
This adventure reflected the profound beauty of secluded Buddhist practice in nature.
II. Course Outline
Lesson 1 – Significance of Religious Belief; What is Buddhist Practice; The Three Paths
to Wisdom; Vinaya, Samatha, and Prajna
Lesson 2 – The Life of the Buddha; Collection of The Buddhist Sutras; The Buddha’
Ten Great Disciples
Lesson 3 – Buddhist Etiquette
Lesson 4 – The Four Noble Truths; The Noble Eightfold Path
Lesson 5 – The Law of Dependent Origination; Karma and Reincarnation
Lesson 6 – The Continuous Cycle and Extinction of the Twelve Links
Lesson 7 – Buddhist Morality
Lesson 8 – Prostration Practice; Overview of Buddhist Robes; Conclusion
III. Summary and Observation
- The Course was promoted two weeks before commencement through three
channels: the Temple’s website, notices posted in the Temple, and radio
commercials on CHMB AM1320. A survey revealed that 90% of the students
learned of the Course from the notices posted in the Temple. Apart from some
Temple volunteers, most students were random visitors to the Temple.
- Over 90% of students were Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Most students have taken refuge in the Three Jewels and have adopted the five
precepts. Some students have been practicing for many years, but none have
learned the Buddhist Dharma in a formal classroom setting. - Students engaged actively in class and participated well. To create a relaxed
atmosphere, the course did not have attendance requirements or exams.
Nevertheless, 70% of the students attended all classes or missed only one. The
attendance rate is satisfactory. - Refreshments were served at the beginning of each lesson to encourage
students to arrive early. During tea time, students enjoyed sharing what they
learned with each other and interacting with their teachers. - As the program progressed, students demonstrated their commitment to the
course and became more serious about their practice. By the end of the
program, some transitioned from casual visitors to devoted attendees who
participated in the weekly congregation. Additionally, some signed up to take
refuge in the Three Jewels and joined the volunteer community. After eight
lessons, stronger connections developed between students and teachers, as well
as among the students themselves. Their sense of belonging to the Temple was
also significantly enhanced. - Those described above showed the students’ sincerity in studying the Buddha’s
teachings and Vancouver’s Cantonese community’s great aspiration for the
Dharma. - The International Buddhist Temple is estimated to receive around 250,000
visitors each year. We hope that our Buddhist courses provide a way for these
visitors to hear the teachings of the Buddha and grow in wisdom. Additionally, we
aim for our classes to inspire some of these visitors to become members of our
congregation and join our volunteer teams, allowing us to cultivate merits
together.
