(Miri, 22nd) The 21st Children's Life Camp organized by the Miri Buddhist Lay Buddhist Forest recently held its closing ceremony, where 97 children aged 7 to 12 successfully completed a three-day, two-night camp, returning home full of gains.
In his speech at the closing ceremony, Forest Head Huang Xin Ren said that the 97 children had a joyful learning experience and that completing the three-day, two-night journey was a truly rewarding event. He noted that children participating in “The Four Great Gratitudes” themed activities under the caring guidance of mentors and teachers is a great blessing, helping to enhance their sense of gratitude and filial piety, focus on learning, take on responsibility, and learn teamwork.
He emphasized that the foundation of Buddhist education is in helping children first understand themselves and master the “three goods” of speaking good words, doing good deeds, and maintaining good thoughts. This provides a direction for growth, helps them establish correct views on life and attitudes towards living, improves their communication and problem-solving skills, cultivates self-responsibility, avoids blame and complaints, and lays a solid foundation for the future. He also mentioned that 29% of this year's campers were not students of the Lay Buddhist Forest's children's class, and he hopes parents will encourage their children to register for the 2026 children's class. Parents are also welcome to join the parent class, learning the Dharma together to cultivate both blessings and wisdom.
Huang Xin Ren also extended his gratitude to the people's representatives for funding, to parents for their cooperation, to volunteers for their assistance, and to all mentors, Dharma masters, and teachers for their careful planning and teaching, continuously nurturing promising youth and contributing tirelessly to building a harmonious society.
Camp Leader Wang Ting Ting expressed her gratitude to the organizing committee for giving her the valuable opportunity to serve as the 2025 Children's Life Camp Leader. She described it as a rare and profound experience in personal growth. She shared that while preparing for the SPM exams, she was still involved in camp preparations, and although it was not easy, with the understanding and assistance of the vice-leader and committee members, she was able to balance both studying and organizing. After the exams, she fully dedicated herself to the camp, and by completing this journey filled with Dharma joy and growth with her team, she was deeply moved.
She pointed out that the camp aimed to let children learn about the gratitude embedded in “The Four Great Gratitudes,” nurture thankfulness and repay kindness through action, and enhance character and responsibility; through mindfulness activities, chanting, mindful dining, and sitting meditation, they learned focus and tranquility, experiencing the power of “wisdom arises when the mind is calm.” She believes that these three days and two nights were not only a growth journey for the children but also cultivation in leadership and teamwork for the facilitators.
Organizing Committee Chairperson Luo Ke Qi, on behalf of the committee, congratulated all campers on their successful completion, and thanked parents for their trust and support in the Lay Buddhist Forest, enabling the smooth conduct of the camp. She was also grateful for the guidance and care from the master, and for the hard work and quiet contributions from committee members and volunteers, enabling the camp's fulfillment.
She noted that, with the theme of “The Four Great Gratitudes,” the courses and activities helped children put what they learned into practice, especially in the “Acts of Love” segment where children sincerely expressed gratitude and love to their parents, creating precious memories of growth. She hopes parents will continue to encourage their children to join next year's children's class and also welcome parents to enroll in the parent class, accompanying their children's journey of learning and growth in the Dharma.
