Abbess Man Wang Encourages BLIA Queensland Youths to Plant Good Causes for the Future

Writer/ Brandon Wong
photographer/ Henry Liao

Queensland YAD hosted its latest Bodhi Lab Dharma class at FGS Chung Tian Temple, welcoming 20 young adults and 10 BLIA members from Chung Tian Branch, YAD President Sam Liu and host Henry Liao invited Venerable Man Wang, Abbess of FGS Chung Tian Temple, to lead the session on “Karma and Retribution,” with Guiding Venerable You Cheng also attending.

The morning began with a meditation session, as Abbess Man Wang guided everyone to focus on their breath and settle the mind. “When we let go of our emotions, we can see our true mind,” she said, encouraging participants to experience clarity through samadhi meditation.

In her Dharma talk, Abbess explained that karma is not punishment but the natural result of actions. “Every thought, word, and action plants a seed. Karma is cause and effect. When we understand this, we learn to take responsibility,” she said. She spoke about the Three Lifetimes of Karma, encouraging everyone to view present challenges as the result of past causes and to transform their future through right thought and action.

She also spoke about the value of giving, citing the example of BLIA volunteers who assisted with post-typhoon clean-up in Hualien, Taiwan. “Giving is important because it plants the seeds of good causes and shapes our future,” she said, adding that “the intention behind giving is what truly matters.”

A lively Q&A session, led by Jordan Wan, allowed the Abbess to share personal reflections. She spoke about her journey to the sangha, her meditation retreats, and how many of her temple assignments happened “by accident.” “Each time, I simply said yes and followed the causes and conditions,” she said, encouraging youth to accept opportunities with faith and openness.

When asked how young people can embody “Bodhisattva Hearts and Youthful Vitality,” she encouraged everyone to start early. “Helping the temple is helping yourself. Do good while you are young — cultivate compassion, joy, generosity, and discipline,” she advised.

The session inspired participants to see challenges as opportunities and to apply the Abbess’s advice to “do good while you are young,” becoming the driving force to carry Humanistic Buddhism into the future.