On Feb. 4, Goryeosa Temple LA (abbot, Ven. Myogyeong) held its 4th Children’s Meditation Camp in the temple compound.

Organized by Ven. Abbot Myogyeong and TARA, a Buddhist youth group in southern California, the camp began at 8:30 a.m. as children entered meditation dressed in traditional Korean New Year’s garb. Then the children offered New Year’s bows to the monastics, their teachers and parents, and experienced tea meditation. For lunch the children made dumplings (mandu), and jjinppang (steamed buns with red bean paste filling), instilling in their hearts a sense of gratitude and the preciousness of food. Some children cried saying they didn’t want to go home even after the event was over.

Ven. Abbot Myogyeong expressed his feelings, saying, “I was overjoyed to see the children of our future generation forget about the stress of studying and cheerfully playing with new friends. Based on this meditation experience, I hope they grow up healthy and mentally sound.”