A Bridge of Growth: Hsi Lai Scouts Welcome New Families With 17-Board Crossover Ceremony

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple

Hsi Lai Scouts (Troop 8888 & Pack 8888) held a Welcome New Scout Families and Crossover Ceremony on September 20 at Hsi Lai Temple, bringing together 45 scouts and family members. The event welcomed new families to the scouting community while the crossover ceremony symbolized the scouts’ transition into a new stage of growth.

Venerable Hui Ze, Hsi Lai Scouts’ monastic advisor, began the day with a tour of Hsi Lai Temple. He shared that Hsi Lai Scouts has officially completed its registration with Scouting America as a Family Troop, opening the program to both boys and girls.

Beginning along the Courtyard, Venerable Hui Ze introduced the temple and explained that its architecture was inspired by ancient Chinese palaces, including roof structures designed to provide greater resistance to earthquakes. Throughout the tour, he engaged the scouts with questions and answers, explaining the rectangular geometric patterns along the Courtyard, which symbolize the patchwork robes of Buddhist monastics, as well as the meaning of Buddhist flags and the significance of incense offerings.

At the Main Shrine, he introduced the Triple Gem Buddhas, representing the Triple Gem, and explained the meaning of burning incense. At the Bodhi tree, he used the shape of a Bodhi leaf to explain the design of Hsi Lai Temple’s overall site plan.

During lunch, Estela Chicas, district director for the El Camino Real district of Scouting America, joined the group and shared information about scouting while welcoming the new families. Hsi Lai Scouts Chartered Organization Representative (COR) Y.T. Chung introduced the troop’s leadership team.

Cubmaster Kyle Lin reflected on his years of involvement in Scouting, saying that participating alongside his son, Adrian Lin, had created many precious and unforgettable memories. Scout Grady Chen also shared what he has gained from Scouting, including leadership skills, teamwork and the courage to overcome challenges.

In the afternoon, participants watched a video highlighting the troop’s activities over the years. A question-and-answer session followed, giving families an opportunity to learn more about the details of Hsi Lai Scouts’ programs and activities.

The day concluded with a Cub Scout Crossover Ceremony in the Courtyard. Hsi Lai Temple Abbot Venerable Hui Dong recognized the Cub Scouts’ growth and encouraged them to continue putting the Three Acts of Goodness into practice.

Cub Scouts Adrian Lin and Carson Che each crossed a bridge made of 17 wooden boards, symbolizing the different stages of growth in their Scouting journey.

The first board represented the Cub Scout pack, followed by three boards representing the three Cub Scout ranks: Lion, Wolf and Bear. The next 12 boards represented the 12 points of the Scout Law: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. The 17th and final board symbolized the Scout motto to “Do Your Best.”

After completing the crossover, both Scouts received their own Wood Award Plaques amid applause from family members and fellow Scouts, marking their transition into the next stage of their Scouting journey.