On April 27th, the vibrant spring day, the Frankfurt Chapter of the Buddha’s Light International Association held a unique member sports meet at the Weingartenschule Sports Hall. Planned and executed by the Frankfurt Fo Guang Youth Branch, the event brought together 60 members, including Hong Jingting, head of the Frankfurt Economic Team, and his family of three; Zhang Yingyan, a lawyer with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Army Contracting Division in Europe, and her family of four; and Zhou Lingxiao, president of the Lisbon Chapter of the Buddha’s Light International Association. The atmosphere was warm and vibrant, overflowing with energy and joy.
Led by Venerable Jueyan, the coordinating venerable, and guided by the youth group members, everyone gathered in an orderly manner, divided into groups, and warmed up, ready to embark on a day of fun and challenges. The event began with an icebreaker game to test their chemistry, followed by a chapter-level competition featuring hopscotch, one-stroke calligraphy, a penguin puzzle, basketball match-3, and an obstacle course. The fun showcased wisdom and cooperation through competition.
The five-on-five basketball and table tennis matches brought the atmosphere to a climax, with laughter echoing throughout the event, and the perspiration woven through them embodied the Buddhist spirit of “learning together, practicing together, and enjoying together.” Every high-five and every cheer was a pure resonance of the soul.
President Wang Yuheng stated that this was the first time the Frankfurt Association had hosted a sports meet, and the venue’s availability was a wonderful connection forged from his daily table tennis practice with the youth league members. He praised the league’s meticulous planning and warm service, and expressed high hopes for the event. Vice President Wang Jiajia shared that the sports meet was beautifully designed, especially the penguin puzzle, which taught everyone the importance of collaboration: “Everyone has their own ‘heart,’ and without unity and direction, achieving common good will is difficult.” Young athlete Hong Chende excitedly expressed his love for basketball and the many like-minded Fo Guang partners he met at the event. He looked forward to participating in such a positive event in the future.
Lawyer Zhang Yingyan shared that participating in the first Fo Guang Association of Frankfurt Sports Meet was deeply moving. The five major challenge events and the exciting ball game brought vitality to the elderly Bodhisattvas and also attracted many new members. After 30 years, Fo Guang members returned to the table tennis court, their eyes instantly lighting up, their movements agile and swift, their style revived. “Today, I truly realized that the spread of the Dharma is not limited to chanting sutras in the temple; it can also quietly take root and sprout in a sports meet. As long as different Dharma practices can inspire joy in sentient beings and promote family harmony and happiness, then they are the truest and most beautiful Buddhism in the world.”
In the end, the second, fifth, and first branches won gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively. Venerable Master Jue Yan personally presented the trophies to the winning teams and awarded medals to each team member. These small medals carry the weight of countless efforts and warmth; the sports meet quietly planted seeds of joy, gratitude, and unity in the hearts of every Fo Guang member. This moment captures not only the glory of the competition, but also the deep affection of holding hands and connecting hearts.
