Taiwan Buddha Memorial Center and the 2012 International Youth Seminar on Life and Ch'an Day 3.

Hi guys! Si here's the continuation... Like I said in my previous post (Taiwan FGS Buddha Memorial Center Tour: A Prologue), so far, the third day of the youth camp has been the most fun of all. Aside from the usual protocol done during early morning meditation, breakfast and lunch, we did Sutra Calligraphy, listened to a talk about Life and Ch'an, witnessed Buddhist chanting, did a Dharma Hunt, watched a concert and ended the day with a Light Offering and Prayer Ceremony. So first things first...


Sutra Calligraphy

At 8am, all delegates gathered at the assembly hall. For the first time, we saw the hall filled with rows and rows of tables and chairs. We all went to our respective groups then took a seat. On our table were sheets of calligraphy and pens. At 8:00, one of the Venerable Masters explained to us what calligraphy is and what it entails to trace the different characters on the piece of parchment. It's not just about copying or tracing, but it's about meditating about the meaning of the characters as we trace them... it's about finding wisdom in the calligraphy... it's about ch'an or meditation. It's about freeing the mind from worries and other attachments and living at the moment.

Before we all started tracing the calligraphy, a little prayer ceremony was done where all delegates participated by praying through chanting. Then from 8:30 am - 9:00 am, we all traced the calligraphy.

Taiwan FGS Buddha Memorial Center Tour: A Prologue

I've been doing a lot of meditation and contemplation as of late that it made me think back to my 2-week trip to Taiwan when I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the Philippine delegates to attend the International Youth Seminar on Life and Ch'an. 

2012 International Youth Seminar on Life and Ch'an: Taiwan Pre-Departure Preparations

July is supposed to be a more relaxing month for me since it's the rainy season and I thought Id' be staying home to just relax and work on my blog posts. But as luck would have it, I was invited last month by Quennie Mae Senador Lungay, a friend of mine on Facebook, to apply as one of our country's delegates for the upcoming 2012 International Youth Seminar on Life and Ch'an (click the link to see photos from last year). Eventually I was chosen by Dave Albao (Quennie's colleague and co-organizer) to be part of this prestigious delegation. I then recommended my close friend Chito Flores and his application was also approved. Yay! 

2011 International Youth Seminar on Life and Ch'an