Hundreds of Lamps Light Up the Heart in a New School Year at Hsi Lai Temple’s TAG School

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple

“What are the Three Acts of Goodness?”

“Do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts!”

The children’s enthusiastic response opened the new school year with laughter and energy. Hsi Lai Temple’s Three Acts of Goodness (TAG) School held its opening ceremony September 20 at Hsi Lai Center, welcoming nearly 270 students, teachers and parents.

This semester coincides with the centennial commemoration of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s birth. Centered on the theme “Lighting Hundred Lamps of the Heart,” the program combines the Three Acts of Goodness with the Four Great Vows of the Bodhisattva Path, encouraging students to bring Buddhist teachings from the classroom into their homes and daily lives. Each wholesome thought and good deed becomes a lamp that illuminates one’s own path while bringing warmth to others.

Venerable Jue Huang, head of Hsi Lai Temple Social Education and Outreach Department, used something familiar to children—a turtle shell—to explain the Three Acts of Goodness. She said that “Do Good Deeds, Speak Good Words and Think Good Thoughts” are like a strong shell and shield that protect people from harmful behavior and negative habits.

With humor, she encouraged the students, “You can all become turtles—or even ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!’” Her remarks drew laughter from the audience. Venerable Jue Huang explained that TAG School teaches more than knowledge and skills; it also emphasizes interpersonal conduct and character development. She encouraged students to use the Three Acts of Goodness to protect their minds and actions while learning joyfully and growing together throughout the new school year.

Avelyn Busch, vice president of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Los Angeles Chapter, welcomed students to a new learning journey and encouraged them to keep the Three Acts of Goodness in mind. Although the principles may seem simple, she said, they can cultivate kindness, respect and a sense of responsibility. She encouraged students to learn enthusiastically, make new friends, and show respect toward monastics, teachers and volunteers while taking the initiative to care for and help those around them.

“Are you heroes?” asked Venerable Hui Cheng, TAG School’s counseling Dharma teacher.

“Yes!” the children replied.

When the first response was not quite loud enough, she asked again, “I can’t hear you. One more time!”

The room immediately erupted in an even louder “Yes!”

Using the idea that “a bodhisattva is a great hero who helps others,” Venerable Hui Cheng introduced the students to the Four Great Vows. She guided them from helping others and overcoming afflictions to diligently learning the Buddha-Dharma and recognizing that everyone possesses Buddha-nature, encouraging the children to become “little bodhisattva heroes” in their everyday lives.

Venerable Hui Cheng said the goal this semester is not only to “learn the Three Acts of Goodness,” but also to “practice the Three Acts of Goodness.” “Every time you do something good, treat your family or friends kindly, or take the initiative to help someone without being reminded, you are lighting a lamp of the heart,” he said. He encouraged students to practice kindness in the classroom, at school and at home, working together to light 100 lamps of the heart as a meaningful way to commemorate Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s centennial.

This semester’s curriculum is divided by age into Preschool, Kids, Junior and Youth classes, with the Four Great Vows serving as the central theme for age-appropriate learning. Preschool students cultivate kindness, gratitude and caring through stories and everyday situations. Children learn to practice the bodhisattva spirit through daily choices. Junior students deepen their understanding through questioning, listening and putting lessons into practice. Youth students explore Humanistic Buddhism and the “100 Lessons for Life,” reflecting on leadership, responsibility, wisdom and gratitude as they move from asking “What does Buddhism teach me?” to exploring “How can I live out the Dharma?”

The school also offers cultural classes in calligraphy and traditional arts, along with holiday celebrations and group activities. Through creativity and cooperation, students cultivate generosity and compassion. A parallel parent class offers Buddhist teachings, parenting education, physical and mental wellness programs, and community service opportunities, allowing parents and children to learn and grow together.

The opening ceremony also became a lively Buddhist-themed quiz competition. Questions such as “How can we cultivate mindfulness?” “How does observing the precepts help us?” and “Which statement is an example of speaking good words?” prompted students to raise their hands and compete to answer. Amid laughter and excitement, they learned about mindfulness, ethical conduct, gratitude and the Three Acts of Goodness.

The ceremony also included the presentation of faculty and staff appointment letters, recognizing the teachers and staff members who devote time to lesson preparation and service alongside their professional and academic commitments.

From the Three Acts of Goodness as a “Ninja Turtle” shield to the students’ enthusiasm to become “little bodhisattva heroes,” wholesome thoughts, kind words and good deeds are coming together to light 100 lamps of the heart. As the new school year begins, TAG School is helping Buddhist teachings take root amid children’s laughter and allowing the light of goodness to extend from the classroom into every home.