"The candles slowly dispel the darkness in the shrine room."
2025 Summer Youth Retreat Reflection
By Oneth S. G. Gamage
I truly enjoyed and learned a lot during the past four days I spent at the temple for the retreat. One of the most important things I learned was how to be more mindful in everything I do. For example, while preparing the wooden trays to bring into the shrine room, I focused carefully on pouring just the right amount of juice into the glass cups. That simple task became a way to practice mindfulness.
One of my favorite activities was the walking meditation with Bhante Deepankara. During this, we had to be very mindful of where we stepped, so we wouldn't harm any insects on the ground. We also had to be aware of how much weight we placed on each foot. It taught me to slow down and pay close attention to my surroundings.
I also loved the candle meditation we did in the mornings. Watching the light from the candles slowly dispel the darkness in the shrine room felt peaceful and symbolic. I enjoyed helping others light the candles and placing them in glass cups near the stone Buddha statue in the parking lot. One of my favorite parts of the retreat was lighting candles and placing them near the pagoda by the shrine room.
In Dr. Deeptha’s class, we learned about the "pure octet"—something that cannot be further divided—and how everything is made of it. We also learned that there is no permanent soul within us. When we are reborn, we do not carry the same soul from our previous life.
On the third day, we were split into groups to create and perform a play based on a story we had learned. My group performed a story about a farmer who watered his garden. There were weeds growing among the plants, and over time, the weeds convinced the farmer to water them instead of the plants. Eventually, the plants withered, and the farmer’s harvest failed. The plants represented the good things we do, the weeds represented the bad things, and the farmer represented all of us. The lesson was clear: if we feed the bad within us, we will not get good results.
At lunch one day, Bhante Deepankara encouraged me to choose both foods I liked and foods I didn’t like. This taught me about balance, acceptance, and gratitude.
We also made lotus flowers using colored paper and cups. I made an open lotus with green paper and a closed one with yellow paper. Later, Dr. Ayesha taught us a lesson in the shrine room about a Pali word. By the end of her class, I had learned its meaning and importance.
On the last day of the retreat, we had a very special closing ceremony. Almost every participant gave a short speech in the shrine room in front of the parents. I gave a speech, too, where I thanked the bhantes, uncles, and aunties who helped us throughout the retreat.
At the end, we gathered on the stage to worship our parents. I bowed down to my father and sister, and my dad told me he was proud of me. Afterward, we went to the temple where my dad talked with other parents, and my sister chatted with her friends. I changed out of my retreat clothes and went downstairs to the kitchen, where I enjoyed some ice cream with my friends. Then I said goodbye to everyone, got in my dad’s car, and went home.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this retreat so meaningful for me. I am truly grateful for all that I learned and experienced.