Greetings in peace and love,
I was wondering if any of you in this group may be interested in this:
A 4-month Temple Stay / study program for Mandarin language, arts and music, Chinese culture, Buddhist studies, meditation, vegetarian cooking and diet, gardening, and the monastic way of life. The program is called the "Fo Guang Shan Philippine Humanistic Academy of Life and Arts" and is scheduled APRIL 1 - JULY 31, 2010 in the Philippines (starting in Bacolod Yuan Thong Temple and ending in Manila Mabuhay Temple).
It is under the supervision of Fo Guang Shan monastic order of the Linji Chan (Rinzai Zen) lineage and the philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism (engaged, cultural, etc). The language of livelihood will be English, but the life will be following a monastic code (silence, disciplined, etc). This means contact with the outside world will be limited, however entrants will be allowed 1-2 hours weekly to communicate with family. An entrant can choose to have no contact at all.
Entrants will enjoy free food (vegetarian), boarding, clothing, and for the first time in the Philippines, a formal curriculum to be taught by the Sangha. There is also a Php1,500 monthly allowance.
Opportunities for further scholarship or employment in Taiwan ROC will be available to outstanding students after the study program. Application deadline is on March 15, 2010.
For the application form, go to

- BLIA Bacolod - 2010 FGS Philippine Humanistic Academy of Life and Arts or contact me at 0907-155-4885.
Palms joined
Dave