On the night of 7th July, 2002, five of bliayad, Sydney members arrived in Brisbane for the three nights four days ANZBYC (Australia New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference). The conference started on a cold Monday morning, 8th July, where some of us were still half asleep. All of the Interstate and New Zealand participants were warmly greeted by the Abbess of Chung Tian Temple, Venerable Yi Lai.

At the Opening Ceremony, with the theme "Radiance of the heart", Venerable Yi Lai encouraged everyone to develop our inner joy and happiness, as well as expressing our warmth to everyone. She hopes that we can light up our heart and then bringing this light to the other youth and rest of the world. With one light it is limited, but with a group, the light will be brighter and powerful. Venerable Yi Lai's words of wisdom had lit up many of our hearts.

The Mayor of Logan Council, John Freeman, was also present at the Opening Ceremony. He shared with us the definition of TEAM. T for Together, E for Everybody, A for Achieves, M for More, so it reads: Together Everybody Achieves More! The Mayor believes by coming and working together, we can move forward. The future depends on us, we have to encourage and sow the seeds of love and peace. So that, those seeds will come alive one day! The Major strongly supports events like ANZBYC and hopes that we would enjoy the Logan City. He left his final words: "Never let anyone tell you that you can't touch the stars, because you can, all you have to do is reach out!" With that spoken, every participant applauded heartily in response.

After a very delicious lunch at Chung Tian Temple, we departed to Camp Warrawee where we would be staying for the rest of the conference. Our first activity was Ice-breaking, it was more like a "voice"-breaking, because we had to sing! One of the highlights was during the singing of "Buddhism relies on me", three of the bliayad, Sydney members were teaching everyone the hand gestures to the song. The participants were quick in their learning, very soon, everyone was waving their hands and singing along with "Buddhism relies on me" – how moving!

After dinner, we had the Welcoming Party that was entertained by the Chung Tian Chamber Music Group – Jazz Band and singing. All of the participants joined in dancing and some even singing! What a night to start the conference!

The next day, we rise as early as 7 am for Morning Services. It was extremely difficult to crawl out of bed as it was a very cold and freezing night to be sleeping in our newly-met bunk bed! Who said Brisbane is warmer?!

Our first event for the 2nd day was the Reports and Sharing from ANZ YADs, where representatives of bliayads (Buddha's Light International Association – Young Adult Division) in Australia and New Zealand gave details about their activities and shared their experiences in promoting Buddhism as a youth group.

Self-Development – Group Bonding Activity was one of the fun activities. We were blind-folded and paired off with a partner, where the aim was to walk from one side to the other with the instructions given by our partner. The difficulty was the obstacles placed on the floor where we weren't allowed to touch. Then, we had to try with both (us and partner) blind-folded. The last part was interesting, we got into our groups (group leader at the front) and we stood in a line putting our right hand on the shoulder of person in front. The aim was everyone had to walk to one of the dormitories blind-folded. The only thing the group leader was given was a branch stick. We were told that we had protection from a "guardian". Our group was lucky because our "guardian" was very protective over us, she was telling us the easier way to go even though we almost had a mini crash with one of the groups. We experienced what it's like to be blind. Most of our initial reaction is fear. This activity was quite meaningful. As Stacey (one of the bliayad, Sydney members) said she felt a sense of connection, trust and fellowship especially with the person in front of her because she was leading her. As for me, I liked the idea of a "guardian" because life is full of obstacles and I believe that we are blessed and guided by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas like our "guardian" who was looking out for us.

The one and only lecture by Venerable Yi Lai was delayed due to the Group Bonding Activity. Nonetheless, it was very inspiring and enlightening. Venerable Yi Lai chose an article written by a BLIA member who survived the September 11th Attack to share with us. How can we prepare ourselves to overcome our obstacles? We ought to seize the moment – know exactly what we are doing at every moment. As a youth, we need no right or wrong, we must have courage to face with things and take on responsibilities. Venerable Yi Lai also asked, "What sort of heart can we have?" Some of the responses were compassion, kindness, gratitude, jealousy, anger, arrogance, etc. Then the question was, "Which one would we like to develop?" The heart of compassion? Or the heart of jealousy? Do we know about our heart/mind? If we don't, that's because we haven't taken notice of what we are feeling and thinking. We have to find out what is in our heart/mind. We must discover the brightness in our heart and clean out the jealousy, anger, etc. Touch our heart and try to discover what's there. Venerable Yi Lai's words had once again emphasized the importance of discovering the radiance of our heart. She ended the lecture with the 4 verse by Master Hsing Yun: Give others joy; give others confidence; give others hope; and give others convenience.

For lunch, we had a pleasant surprise. Venerable Yi Lai heard from the staff members that the dinner we had the night before wasn't very appetizing because the rice was half-cooked. The Reverend in charge of kitchen at Chung Tian Temple cooked fried rice for the 100 of us. All of us were really happy to hear that, and can I say, no other fried rice tasted better than the one we had because it was cooked with compassion and caring.

Mindful and Playful by Dr. Kwong Djee (Eric) Chan was another fruitful lecture. Eric Chan gave us a new life perspective by introducing to us the different archetypes from birth to death. The archetypes are Orphans & Naïve; Lover & Seeker; Warrior & Caregiver; Creator & Destroyer; Queen/King & Magician and Wiseman & The fool.

Orphans & Naïve are when we were infants. Our childhood has a big impact on how we are as a person. If we lacked a lot of love and affection, we are Orphans so we would grow up introvert and reserved. If we had lots of love and affection, we are Naïve, so we would grow up to be outgoing and cheerful.

Lover & Seeker are when we have grown a little older where we start to search for a companion. Eric Chan explained using the story about a triangle and circle. Once upon a time, a triangle was looking for its other half. Many whom it met didn't fit perfectly. One day, while searching, the triangle met a circle. The triangle was very attracted to this circle and wanted to be part of the circle. But the circle refused, because it was complete and happy. The triangle was very disappointed and went on searching. Finally, the triangle found a perfect match, the other half fit perfectly. They lived together for many years, but there were lots of problems. Eventually, the triangle's other half decided to split up and they did. Now the triangle is alone and feeling very sad. Then it remembered the circle it once met, how happy the circle was. The triangle wanted to be like the circle, so it started to move by itself. Now, we could all imagine if a triangle had to move by itself, it would require a lot of strength and effort. The triangle tried and tried, and because of his determination, its corners started to break. Through time, the triangle slowly became a circle. And then, it met another circle whom they got along very well and they lived happily ever after. This story illustrated the triangle as Seeker and the circle as Lover.

Warrior & Caregiver are the next stage in life. A caregiver is someone who gives and gives, whereas a warrior just takes and takes.

Creator & Destroyer reflect on life and death. When something is created, there will be destruction. Can think of it as something has to be destroyed before new can be created. A process of destruction is a process of letting go.

Queen/King & Magician are about change. Because Queen/King lives in a very orderly manner, there aren't many changes to their lives and thus not used to change, whereas a magician is about changing and new ideas.

Wiseman & The fool are the final stage in life. In the end, whether we are wise or foolish depends on us.

In knowing about these archetypes is to get to know who we are, and it is about drawing a balance between them. For instance, if you are more of a Queen/King, then you will need to develop the Magician side in you so that you can be in balance.

After a day filled with inspirations, we had the ANZ Friendly Match to put our body into actions, playing Basketball, Dodge ball and Soccer. Then at night, we had the ANZ Debating to put our mouth into actions, debating topics such as "Media and Advertising Control Us" and "We Are Slave of Fashion And Trend." And lastly, we ended our 2nd day with the Close Encounters of the Second Kind – Beauty Contest. This was a rather strange but interesting activity because instead of having ladies on stage, we had the gentlemen dressed up as ladies doing the cat walks! I have to say, the winner of the contest was very "attractive"!

The 3rd day of ANZBYC was another day of actions with lots of team work activities. I really enjoyed the Exploring Your Potential and Team Work & Team Spirit Development run by the YMCA members. Especially when everyone (all 100 participants) was blind-folded and holding a robe, the aim was to form a square. We did pretty well it wasn't a perfect square but close. And the other one where we stood in a circle very close to the person in front, on a count of 3 we all had to sit down on the lap of person behind us. On the first try, half of the circle collapsed but on the second try, we all managed to remain seated for more than 10 seconds! That was amazing! There were lots more activities that allowed us to work in teams and build on trust. They were truly rewarding and uplifting.

Outdoor Challenges was an activity of fun for most people, but for me, it was a lot about overcoming my fears. We had to choose two activities from Flying Fox, Indoor Rock climbing, Blue Gum Challenge and Giant Swing. I chose the Blue Gum Challenge and Giant Swing. With both of them, I had to overcome my fear of height. Blue Gum Challenge was climbing a blue gum tree. I set myself an aim of taking ten steps from the ladder, but when I was only half way of the ladder, I was already so scared but I convinced myself not to give up. With the support of other participants saying to me, "Joey, you can do it!" I finally past the ladder, taking that very first step was extremely difficult because I was just hanging onto the tree with those hooks. I could hear my own breathing and feel my heart pounding, still convincing myself to take another step. Those 10 steps I took felt like a lifetime, I really wanted to give up when I was up to my 5th step, but I told myself to keep going. I really would like to thank those who gave me strength cheering for me, though every time they called out to me, it brought me back to the moment. That very moment I am conscious of hanging on a tree! So scary! But I am still grateful towards them. It was also my aim to let go after I take my 10 steps and abseil down but I truly couldn't let go. Like Rev. Chueh Shan said, "Once we let go we are free!" I could only let go after I came down another 10 steps, that made me just above the ladder and it seemed rather silly because I was almost to the ground but I felt so relief to touch down. Now with the Giant Swing, each person had two go's. With the 1st go, a lot of people were telling me that it was more like a mini swing but I was still so scared. With the 2nd go, I closed my eyes and imagined the Buddha's face. That made me felt calmer and I wasn't as scared. I didn't know how high up I was but I was very high because I felt it when I let go of the robe and swung down. I did manage to have a quick glimpse of the scenery when I was up there. Everyone was saying to me, "See, it wasn't that bad, was it?" They also told me to let go of my hands and I did, I felt free! Just like what Rev. Chueh Shan had said. Sometimes we hold on to something so tight and we think cannot break free, but all we have to do is just let go, it's that simple to be free!

The final night of the conference, we had the Buddha's Light Evening where we had performances from the various ANZ bliayads and the participants performing in their groups. Then, we had Light Offering Ceremony guided by the Reverends to remind us to continue passing on the radiance of our heart to other youth. Finally, we had the long awaited Camp Fire Party. We party till midnight with dances and games.

On the very last day of the conference, majority of the participants didn't sleep the night before so it was extremely difficult to keep their eyes open for the Adulthood Ceremony and Closing Ceremony. Many of the BLIA members came to share this special moment with us.

Reflecting on the theme and remembering Venerable Yi Lai's words, I asked myself what is in my heart. I believe everyone has light (good) and shadow (bad) in us, and it is up to ourselves to bring out the light or shadow of us. By bringing out the light inside us, we can light up the shadow around us. And the brighter our light, the more we can light up. This is something truly valuable to take with me in discovering the radiance of my heart.

I would like to thank the bliayad, Queensland for organizing this year's ANZBYC, their hard work and effort had brought a lot of smiles and sweet memories. Also, all the people who had made this event possible, without all of your support and contribution, we wouldn't have the opportunity to be part of the great history of ANZBYC!

After the ANZBYC, the five of us (bliayad, Sydney members) went to Moreton Island for a little get-away holiday. We stayed at a villa house overseeing the sunset in the evening. It was very luxurious and the view of the ocean was just superb!

We did sand tobogganing not long after our arrival, and ate quite a bit of sand – yummy…not! I was again scared, but after the Blue Gum Challenge and Giant Swing, this wasn't so bad. In the evening, we had the privilege of dolphin feeding, it was a bonus for staying at the resort. Apart from that, we also went whale watching. We were lucky to meet two small whales and lots of dolphins. Though, the rocking of the boat made me really sick, after a while, it wasn't so pleasant anymore.

This trip had been so memorable and enjoyable that I'd recommend anyone to visit Brisbane especially Moreton Island!

See you all at next year's ANZBYC in New Zealand!

~ Joey Wai (YAD Sydney Subdivision)