Thousands of Seniors Gather at Annual Fair as Buddha’s Light Volunteers Share Care Through Service

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple

Nearly 1,000 seniors and representatives from 50 community service organizations gathered August 12 for the 20th annual Senior Fair hosted by U.S. Congresswoman Linda Sánchez at the Cerritos College Health and Science Center in Norwalk, California. Hsi Lai Temple Social Education and Outreach Department and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Los Angeles Chapter were invited to host a “Spiritual Care” booth, bringing the principles of Humanistic Buddhism into the community and promoting holistic well-being among seniors.

Sánchez welcomed the seniors and thanked Cerritos College, local governments, Los Angeles County agencies, sponsors, volunteers and health care professionals for their contributions. The event offered free services including lunch, water, transportation and health screenings.

Sánchez said the Senior Fair’s primary goals are to help older adults maintain their health, access essential resources and achieve greater financial security in retirement. As a member of Congress, she said she also hopes to serve as an advocate for seniors in Washington, giving them a voice and helping secure resources.

She also highlighted the recently introduced Strengthen Social Security Act, which would raise the income cap subject to Social Security taxes, asking higher-income earners to shoulder a more equitable share while strengthening the Social Security system. The proposal would also adjust benefits to better reflect the actual cost of living and ease financial pressures related to food, gasoline, housing and health care.

Sánchez also discussed her work supporting the CHANGE Act, which seeks to streamline and promote early assessments for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Early diagnosis, she said, gives patients and their families more time to understand the condition, arrange medical care and develop long-term care plans. She encouraged seniors to take advantage of the resources available at the fair and connect with service organizations to build stronger community support networks.

Venerable Hui Cheng, Hsi Lai Temple Social Education Department and Cerritos Subchapter Monastic Advisor, and BLIA Los Angeles Chapter President Echo Tsai were on hand to support the volunteers and encourage them to serve the community with joy.

Ten volunteers from the Cerritos Subchapter introduced visitors to the principles of Humanistic Buddhism, Hsi Lai Temple’s cultural programs, and classes. They also distributed Fo Guang Shan booklets, Dharma sayings, auspicious-knot bracelets, bookmarks and pony-shaped keychains as gifts to visitors.

BLIA member Hendra Taruli introduced “Coffee Meditation,” guiding participants to practice mindfulness through the process of smelling, brewing and tasting coffee and experience a sense of calm in the present moment. The booth also featured interactive activities including “Turning the Dharma Wheel,” ring toss and a “Wishing Tree,” where seniors could write down their wishes and blessings while enjoying games and conversation.

Tsai praised the Cerritos Subchapter for participating in the Senior Fair since 2024 and incorporating the principles of the “Three Acts of Goodness” and the “Four Givings,” as well as loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity, into its community service. Through continued participation, volunteers have built connections with people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Volunteers attending the fair for the first time said serving in the community not only gave them an opportunity to share the positive values of Buddhism, but also helped them understand the meaning of service and building connections through giving.

The Senior Fair provided seniors with access to health, social service and retirement resources while also creating an opportunity for Buddhism to engage with the wider community. Through service and dialogue, Fo Guang Shan volunteers put into practice the principles of “Do Good Deeds, Speak Good Words and Think Good Thoughts,” bringing the spirit of Humanistic Buddhism into everyday community life.