On April 19, Xizu Temple was honored to host a group of special young visitors—20 children and adolescents accompanied by 15 staff members from the Madagascar Down Syndrome Organization.
The temple prepared a heartwarming Zen-inspired journey for the children, including:
Organic Vegetarian Meals: Freshly harvested vegetables from the temple garden, embodying the Buddhist wisdom that "every grain and vegetable carries compassion."
Handmade Zen Snacks: Freshly made caramel popcorn by the monks in the early morning.
Other snacks and mineral water.
Abbot Shi Wule’s Magical Concert
Abbot Shi Wule and the Wule Symphony Orchestra specially prepared a blessing concert for the children. Considering their attention spans, the temple adjusted the musical and dance performances to help them better experience Zen music and movement.
Immersive Zen Cultural Experience
The temple’s monks became "Storyteller Monks," introducing Zen Buddhism in an engaging way:
The children touched the engraved bricks of the main hall, smelled sandalwood incense, and gently dusted the Buddha statues.
Holding hands with the monks, they circumambulated the hall while listening to Zen stories and learning Buddhist etiquette. Their innocent voices chanting "Namo Amitabha" flowed like a clear stream.
The soft chimes of the temple bells seemed to sing of the meeting between youthful hearts and the Buddha’s wisdom. When the Malagasy children pressed their palms together and recited "Amitabha" for the first time, and when Zen music became smiles transcending language, Xizu Temple’s ancient walls quietly grew new rings of compassion.
We believe the seeds of Bodhi planted in these young minds will one day blossom across Africa through their footsteps. And the bricks and tiles they touched today shine brighter, illuminated by their pure, unguarded hearts.
We are grateful for every pair of folded hands and every gaze filled with wonder. May this day’s Zen connection become a timeless vessel, carrying equality and goodwill to unseen corners of the world.
"One flower, one world; one child, one Bodhi."
Xizu Temple shares this aspiration with all beings.