Group Photo of Peer Conference Sharing Event
On September 22 2024, Buddhist Light International Association Young Adult Division (BLIA-YAD) Vancouver hosted a Peer Sharing Conference, inviting fellow YAD members to hear Erin and Claire share their experiences from this year's North America YAD events. Claire and Erin, two Vancouver YAD members, recently attended two major conferences: the 2024 North America White Elephant Executive Training in Houston, USA and the 2024 International Buddhist Young Adult Executive Conference (IBLYAEC) Berlin, Germany where they gained valuable insights.
At the White Elephant training, Claire was motivated by her previous positive experience in Toronto, Canada but found Houston’s approach different, with a focus on group discussions and new topics. A highlight for her was BLIA Lay Dharma Teacher Jimmy Zhao’s speech, where he emphasized that “Buddhism is a pursuit of knowledge, not exactly a religion,” offering a fresh perspective. Claire plans to apply these lessons in event planning, community-building, and hopes to earn the White Elephant vest in the future.
Erin attended the BLIA YAD International Conference, where the theme of Co-prosperity and Co-existence resonated with her. From the perspective of a participant staying in a hostel and exploring Berlin allowed her to experience Europe's multiculturalism. As a staff interpreter, she facilitated communication and gained a deeper understanding of the conference's organizational aspects.
During the peer sharing, Vancouver YADs learned about the significance of lifelong learning in Buddhism, fostering personal growth and continuous self-improvement. Both Claire and Erin look forward to using their experiences to enrich future peer YAD activities and promote community engagement.