On April 30, the Fo Guang Shan Chicago Buddhist Temple was invited to Montini Catholic High School in Illinois to introduce basic Buddhist teachings and spiritual concepts to 50 theology students. The session was led by Venerable Miao Wei, accompanied by Steve Volkening, a member of the English Subchapter, and Chapter Director Lin-Na Chen. The lecture received an enthusiastic response from both teachers and students.
Arranged by Campus Ministry Assistant and Theology Teacher Mrs. Kelly Davis, the sessions were divided into two classes: one focused on “World Religions” and the other on “The Teachings of Buddha and Practice in Daily Life.”
During the program, Venerable Miao Wei first introduced the philosophy of “Humanistic Buddhism” established by the FGS founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Through a video of the Buddha Museum, she led the students to recognize the modernization of Buddhism. The Venerable also shared her personal journey of renunciation to illustrate the Buddhist perspective on life, which sparked great interest among the students.
In the Q&A session, students actively inquired about diverse topics, including the root of suffering, monastic life, and the essentials of meditation. The Venerable used accessible language to explain core Buddhist doctrines such as “dependent origination and emptiness,” the “law of cause and effect,” and “compassion and altruism,” emphasizing the practical spirit of “living the Dharma.” She also pointed out that meditation is not limited to seated practice but can be integrated into daily routines as walking meditation. The students expressed curiosity and appreciation regarding the differences in monastic robes across various regions.
Steve Volkening shared his own journey of encountering Buddhism. He noted that he first came into contact with Chinese culture and Buddhism while leading student tours to China. After 14 years of in-depth study, he decided to take refuge in the Triple Gem. As a Christian, he deeply feels that Buddhism does not conflict with other religions; rather, they can be inclusive and complementary to one another.