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Gaoxiong， Taiwan in March had infinite spring sceneries. In order to explore the secret of “Engaged Buddhism” and the establishment and development of the Buddha's Light International Youth League， the delegation of the International Ecological Safety Collaborative Organization （IESCO） drove to Fo Guans Shan in Dashu District of Gaoxiong. Along the road， we saw picturesque sceneries afar and brilliant purples and reds nearby. Pure and fresh smells of flowers， green grass and trees were everywhere and made the trip relaxing and comforting.
Unconsciously， the delegation stepped in the neat land of Fo Guang Shan. There was a big slogan： “Don’t do the evil but pursue the good” on the left side of the road. A pagoda with the characters of Fo Guang stood tall on the path ahead and the “Buddha Memorial Hall” stood solemnly on the right side of the road. The air was filled with sacred and solemn atmosphere.
Along the road， there was a gentle slope of paints of Buddhist allusions and then， we reached the gate of Fo Guang Shan. We saw No Second Gate in carpets of green grass and flowers， scenic spots of Lingshan， Guanyin Free Life Pond and Big Buddha City afterwards. In front of the Dendrocalamus Latiflorus Garden， there stood Huishi， a benevolent and kind looking meager master. After a simple conversation， we found the master was entirely different from the stereotype of Buddhists in our minds. His kindness， amity and sense of humor made the delegation feel like refreshed in the spring breeze. Master Huishi was very familiar with the legendary life of Master Hsing Yun， from a little monk having nothing at all to a global leader of Buddhism； and the romaunt of Fo Guang Shan， from a barren mountain to a holy land of Buddhism.
3月份的台湾高雄，正值春光无限之际。为了探寻“人间佛教”的奥秘以及佛光青年的创立与发展过程，国际生态安全合作组织代表团一行驱车前往位于高雄大树区的佛光山。一路上视线所及之处，远处山清水秀，近处姹紫嫣红。鲜花、青草、绿树的清新味道四处弥漫，让整个旅途变得轻松而惬意。
不知不觉中，代表团一行已踏上佛光山的净土——路左旁醒目地写着“诸恶莫做，诸善奉行”的大标语，路前方高耸着书有佛光二字的问道塔，路右方的“佛陀纪念馆”肃穆而立，空气中充斥着神圣而庄严的气息。
汽车沿着路旁画着一幅幅佛家典故的缓坡道继续前行，转眼便到了佛光山山门。随之印入眼帘的是矗立于绿草如茵、繁花似锦中的不二门、灵山胜境、观音放生池、大佛城……在麻竹园前，站立着一位慈眉善目、身材清瘦的法师——慧是。简单交谈之后，才发现眼前这位法师与人们刻板印象中的僧人截然不同。他的亲切友善、风趣幽默让初来佛光山的代表团如沐春风。对于星云大师从一个一无所有的年轻小僧，发展成为全球佛教领袖的传奇人物，对于佛光山从荒山化为宝殿的传奇故事，慧是法师皆如数家珍。
When mentioning Dean Huichuan， the Chief Executive Officer of the Buddha's Light International Youth League and a leader of Fo Guang Shan besides Master Hsing Yun， master Huishi was also very respectful. According to him， Dean Huichuan is amiable， wise and voluble. The later interview on Dean Huichuan proved his words. Through the introduction of Dean Huichuan， the reporter deeply understood the original intention of and significance on the founding of the Buddha's Light International Youth League by Master Hsing Yun.
提及国际佛光青年总团部执行长——慧传院长，慧是法师对这位除星云大师以外的佛光山领袖同样充满着敬仰之情。在他眼里，慧传院长随和、睿智、健谈……
在记者随后对慧传院长的采访中，证实了慧是法师所言不虚。通过慧传院长的介绍，记者更深刻地体会到星云大师创立佛光青年的初衷与意义。
UNITY： People think that temple groups generally give priority to cultivating monks， why did Master Hsing Yun have the idea of founding the league in the first place？
Dean Huichuan： In fact， when promoting the Buddha dharma， Master Hsing Yun paid much attention to the targets including both Buddhists and common people. He called for Engaged Buddhism， namely to bring daily life into the Buddha dharma and apply the Buddha dharma to daily life. The Buddha’s dharma should not be put on the shelf or locked in an ancient temple in a mountain. It should be accepted by ordinary people and help them change their minds and bodies. When applied in daily life， it would bring benefits to their lives. This is not exclusive to Buddhists but acceptable to everyone， even if you are not a Buddhist. Master Hsing Yun proposed： Do good things， say good words and has good will.” It should be observed not only by Buddhists but also by everybody.
The beginning of the youths’ Buddhism learning was not smooth. The Buddhist singing group was considered to be too subversive. Many people were dissatisfied and even threatened Master Hsing Yun. In this case， the master knew that only the mobilizing of youths could bring the real development of Buddhism. So he ignored the threats and kept moving forward.
Under the guidance of Engaged Buddhism， the Buddha's Light International Youth League was gradually formed and established in 1996. Master Hsing Yun put forward that we need to let the youths develop their Bodhisattva Hearts and strengths to serve the society. He made it clear that what we should do is to motivate the virtuous hearts and enthusiasm of serving the society of youths and guide a right direction for them to devote. From then on， I have been involved in the league affairs.
UNITY：一般人认为，寺院团体素来以培养僧侣为主，星云大师当初为什么会有创立佛光青年的想法？
慧传院长：其实，星云大师在弘扬佛法的过程当中，很注重出家众和在家众共同弘扬佛法。星云大师提倡人间佛法，即希望能够把佛法生活化，生活能够佛法化。不应该把佛法束之高阁，关在深山古刹里面。而是应该把佛法这么美好的道理让人们接受，能够改变他们的身心，甚至于在日常生活当中贯彻执行，能够对他们的生命有所帮助。这已经不是出家人的专利，而是所有大众都能接受的理念，即便你不是佛教徒。就好像星云大师提倡的“三好四给”，即做好事、说好话、存好心，不仅出家人需要做，所有大众都应该要共同奉行。 青年学佛活动伊始并不顺利，比如佛教歌咏队活动，不少人认为其太过于颠覆传统，所以不满星云大师的这一做法，甚至扬言要对其不利。在这种情况之下，星云大师很清楚，只有把青年朋友带动起来，佛教也才能真正蓬勃发展起来。所以他不理会这些要挟，仍然勇往直前。
在人间佛教理念的指导之下，佛光青年逐渐成形并于1996年正式诞生。星云大师提出，要让青年人发挥其菩萨心、青年力，为社会大众做更多的服务。当时大师的这个理念已经很明确地告诉我们，就是要把年轻人那股善良的心、愿意为大众服务的热情激发起来，引导一个正确方向，让他们去奉献。也是从那时起，我一直投身于佛光青年事务。
UNITY： The youths have always been the impetus of society， but they do have some problems. What is your opinion？
Dean Huichuan： In the “World Teenagers’ Forum” held in Boao， I summarized the youths’ situation in Taiwan with the three words of “otaku”， “tedious” and “slack” which mean that they always stay at home and do not want to go out； they are quiet and not talk to parents or people in real life， but communicate with computers， cell phones and the internet with their fingers. Then it turns out to be more serious and they become slack， meaning they lack concentration， since they cannot focus on their fields but just communicate in unlimited information.
Youths now are confronted with two aspects of difficulties， one is external and the other is internal. The external one means： They have course loads， then emotional burden when growing older and employment problems. Finally it may cause interpersonal alienation， tension between parents and children， the upsurge of self-awareness and the confusion of life direction. All these external elements come from internal problems. A book entitled The Youths’ Problem written by Master Hsing Yun 30 years ago mentioned eight key points. For example， some young people do not have compassion but are selfish and self-concerned； they are easy to become impatient and have no persistence， which means they are “slack” as I just mentioned before.
UNITY：青年一直都是社会的推动力，但是现在的青年，确实也存在一些问题，您怎么看这个问题？
慧传院长：在“博鳌”举办的一个“世界青少年论坛”上，我用三个字总结了台湾青年，就是“宅”“闷”“散”。即宅在自己家里不想出门；闷着不太跟家长或者现实生活中的人讲话，而是用自己的手指跟电脑、手机对话，或者跟网络对话。最后越来越宅，越来越闷，越来越散——散就是已经不专心了，因为他没有办法专心于自己的领域，反而在无限的资讯当中沟通联系。
现在年轻人的困境有两大方面，一个是外在因素，另一个是内在因素。从外在的方面来看，他们有的有课业负担，年纪大一点的有感情负担，再大一点的面临就业问题。最后可能会导致人际关系的疏离，亲子关系的紧张，自我意识的高涨，不知道自己的生命方向……这些外在的因素其实源自于内在的问题。星云大师在30年前写了一本书叫做《青年的毛病》，提到了八大重点。比如，现在的年轻人不行慈而自私，也就是不行慈悲心，而自私自利；不耐烦而又无恒，就是刚才说的那个“散”。
UNITY： Are these part of the development of the Buddha's Light International Youth League？
Dean Huichuan： Yes. Since they have such kind of problems， we want them to change and have healthy personalities. A Bodhisattva Heart relates to mercy and wisdom deep in mind， and we need them to give an external display of the force， which is the strength of youths. UNITY：这些也是佛光青年发展历程的一部分？
慧传院长：对，因为他们有这些问题，我们当然就希望他们能够改变，成为一个人格健全的人。菩萨心就是我们内心的这种慈悲、智慧，我们需要把他们的这股力量外在表现出来，就是青年的活力。
UNITY： It is also a humanistic guidance for the youths.
Dean Huichuan： Yes. There were some disasters in the mainland recently， and many volunteers hurried off to the front line. They already have the strength but are scattered around， and a completed system can help them do more things.
UNITY：也是对青年人性的一个引导。
慧传院长：对。我最近看到大陆有几次灾难，很多志愿者积极奔赴在第一线。他们已经有这股力量，只不过还是一个分散的点，如果制度更健全，相信可以做更多的事情。
UNITY： What have been the major activities carried out by the Buddha's Light International Youth League？
Dean Huichuan： In principle we hold the “International Buddha’s Light Young Adult Conference” once a year. Since the establishment in 1996 and the first“International Buddha’s Light Young Adult Conference” in 1997， the conference has been held every year except in 1999. It sometimes is held in Taiwan， sometimes overseas.
UNITY：到现在为止，佛光青年部分都开展了哪些比较大型的活动？
慧传院长：我们原则上一年会办一次活动，叫“国际佛光青年会议”。从1996年成立，到1997年举办“第一次国际佛光青年会议”，除了1999年之外，佛光青年会议从来没有停过。有时候在台湾，有时候在海外。
UNITY： Do the participants all come from the league？
Dean Huichuan： Generally， yes. But there are other groups. When staying at home， they do not know what course to follow for their own life. They are not like this in the beginning when they were full of hope， promise and development. We need to recognize this and push them forward， and it is why we introduce the conference to the whole world.
What’s more， for those young people from the five continents who cannot gather together every year， we hold a meeting every year in every continent. And we found that， the promotion of Buddhism would be disjointed when dealing with those youths who disagree with Chinese culture. If they recognize the Chinese culture and can speak Chinese， they would be closer and closer to you. I gradually found that these activities were very meaningful. The Chinese culture can be passes on and the youths start to acknowledge and apply Buddhism.
UNITY：这个会议的参加人员都是佛光青年的成员吗？
慧传院长：大致上都是，也有另外的团队。年轻人憋在家里时，他不知道自己的人生该何去何从。一般的年轻人开始时绝对不是这样，他同样充满了希望、前途、发展。我们需要看到这一点，让他往前冲，这也是我们将会议推向世界各地的原因之一。
另外，对于分布在五大洲的那些无法每年聚在一起的青年，我们的做法是每一个洲每年办一次聚会。在这个过程中我们发现，对于不认同中华文化的青年人，佛教文化的普及也会脱节。如果认同了中华文化，会讲中文，他就跟你越来越亲近。后来我慢慢发现，佛光青年的这些活动很有意义。中华文化得已传播下去，他们对佛教也开始认同，也开始自觉行佛了。
UNITY： What were the setbacks in these years？
Dean Huichuan： Resistance came at the beginning. For example， we invited young people to come， but they would not like to. And it was the hardest part， I think. Because it was not a concert for them to go after the stars and boring preach could attract them. Some of them left after a while when losing the feeling of freshness. But difficulties stimulated us to think how to make youths be more confident and want to stay to make contributions. At first， we carried out some activities， and then these were not able to draw their attentions， so we needed to find things for them to do and provided Buddha’s dharma for them to listen to. Their talents should be given the role to play and to be affirmed through two ways. At last， there would be unexpected gains. UNITY：佛光青年这么多年遇到过什么挫折？
慧传院长：一开始都会遇到阻力。比如，我们邀请年轻人来参加，但他们开始并不是都愿意，这是我觉得最困难的部分。因为我们不是演唱会，没有明星让他们追求，枯燥地讲道并不能吸引他们。也有一些青年参与了一段时间以后，新鲜感没有了，他会选择离开。但是，困境能够激发我们去思考如何让年轻人能够更有信心，更愿意留在这个地方奉献发挥。比如刚开始时会举办一些活动，接下来只是举办活动已经不能吸引他们，所以还要让他们有事可以做，有佛法可以听闻。通过两种方式，他们的优势才能得以发挥和肯定。最后，往往会有意外的收获。
UNITY： What are the subjects of these activities？
Dean Huichuan： We start from the perspectives of Zen and culture and do not drag Buddhism in. Then problems are solved since the participants are not all Buddhism learners.
UNITY：这些活动的主题一般都是什么？
慧传院长：我们从禅学、从文化的角度去探讨，不要把它牵涉到佛、佛教上来，问题就很好解决了，因为参与的人不见得都是学习佛教的学生。
UNITY： What are the plans for the future development of the Buddha's Light International Youth League？
Dean Huichuan： Besides the conferences and activities held nowadays， we hope the youths become important followers and leaders to inherit and popularize the concept of Engaged Buddhism. We will host the “International Buddha’s Light Young Adult Conference” from July 10th to 13th this year and welcome young people to join us.
UNITY：佛光青年对于将来的发展有何规划？
慧传院长：将来除了现在举办的会议、活动以外，也希望年轻人能够成为重要的信徒，重要的干部，继续传承、推广人间佛教理念。今年7月10-13日，我们将举办“国际佛光青年大会”，欢迎广大青年人参与其中。
UNITY： How to become a member of the league？
Dean Huichuan： We have branch missions all over the world and people can apply to join in. At present， there is no one in the mainland. We need to lay a solid foundation and if permitted by the law， we will set up branch missions in the mainland.
UNITY：怎样才能成为佛光青年的一员？
慧传院长：佛光会在世界各地都有分会，通过申请加入这个团体即可。目前，大陆还没有分团。我们要先扎好根基，如果法令上允许的话，将来有机缘就会在大陆设立分团。
UNITY： We should promote the activities and purpose of the league among young people to let them feel the power of themselves and then to deal with difficulties in society.
Dean Huichuan： Yes. In this way， they will not be affected by the surrounding environment and have a central value that they will not go with the flow. When a person has a complete personality， he would start from himself and then gradually influence others. It is what the Master called “A World of Five Harmonies”， namely “self-harmony”， “family harmony”， “people-to-people harmony”， “social harmony” and “world peace”. If you feel peaceful and happy， you are confident of yourself and know your direction. All of these external miscellaneous problems cannot disturb you that you would be truly happy and satisfied.
UNITY：应该在广大青年当中推广佛光青年的活动、宗旨等，让所有的青年都感受到自身内心的强大，然后再来应对社会上困难。
慧传院长：对。这样他们就不太会受到周围环境的影响，而且自己有一个中心价值观念，就不会随波逐流。一个人人格健全了以后，他先从自己开始，然后再慢慢地影响扩散到别人。所以大师讲“五和的世界”，即“自心和悦”、“家庭和顺”、“人我和敬”、“社会和谐 ”、“世界和平”。如果你自心和悦，那就是你对自己都已经很有自信了，知道自己的方向了，外面所有的这些杂七杂八的问题，已经干扰不了你了，你才能够自心和悦快乐起来。
Unconsciously， the delegation stepped in the neat land of Fo Guang Shan. There was a big slogan： “Don’t do the evil but pursue the good” on the left side of the road. A pagoda with the characters of Fo Guang stood tall on the path ahead and the “Buddha Memorial Hall” stood solemnly on the right side of the road. The air was filled with sacred and solemn atmosphere.
Along the road， there was a gentle slope of paints of Buddhist allusions and then， we reached the gate of Fo Guang Shan. We saw No Second Gate in carpets of green grass and flowers， scenic spots of Lingshan， Guanyin Free Life Pond and Big Buddha City afterwards. In front of the Dendrocalamus Latiflorus Garden， there stood Huishi， a benevolent and kind looking meager master. After a simple conversation， we found the master was entirely different from the stereotype of Buddhists in our minds. His kindness， amity and sense of humor made the delegation feel like refreshed in the spring breeze. Master Huishi was very familiar with the legendary life of Master Hsing Yun， from a little monk having nothing at all to a global leader of Buddhism； and the romaunt of Fo Guang Shan， from a barren mountain to a holy land of Buddhism.
3月份的台湾高雄，正值春光无限之际。为了探寻“人间佛教”的奥秘以及佛光青年的创立与发展过程，国际生态安全合作组织代表团一行驱车前往位于高雄大树区的佛光山。一路上视线所及之处，远处山清水秀，近处姹紫嫣红。鲜花、青草、绿树的清新味道四处弥漫，让整个旅途变得轻松而惬意。
不知不觉中，代表团一行已踏上佛光山的净土——路左旁醒目地写着“诸恶莫做，诸善奉行”的大标语，路前方高耸着书有佛光二字的问道塔，路右方的“佛陀纪念馆”肃穆而立，空气中充斥着神圣而庄严的气息。
汽车沿着路旁画着一幅幅佛家典故的缓坡道继续前行，转眼便到了佛光山山门。随之印入眼帘的是矗立于绿草如茵、繁花似锦中的不二门、灵山胜境、观音放生池、大佛城……在麻竹园前，站立着一位慈眉善目、身材清瘦的法师——慧是。简单交谈之后，才发现眼前这位法师与人们刻板印象中的僧人截然不同。他的亲切友善、风趣幽默让初来佛光山的代表团如沐春风。对于星云大师从一个一无所有的年轻小僧，发展成为全球佛教领袖的传奇人物，对于佛光山从荒山化为宝殿的传奇故事，慧是法师皆如数家珍。
When mentioning Dean Huichuan， the Chief Executive Officer of the Buddha's Light International Youth League and a leader of Fo Guang Shan besides Master Hsing Yun， master Huishi was also very respectful. According to him， Dean Huichuan is amiable， wise and voluble. The later interview on Dean Huichuan proved his words. Through the introduction of Dean Huichuan， the reporter deeply understood the original intention of and significance on the founding of the Buddha's Light International Youth League by Master Hsing Yun.
提及国际佛光青年总团部执行长——慧传院长，慧是法师对这位除星云大师以外的佛光山领袖同样充满着敬仰之情。在他眼里，慧传院长随和、睿智、健谈……
在记者随后对慧传院长的采访中，证实了慧是法师所言不虚。通过慧传院长的介绍，记者更深刻地体会到星云大师创立佛光青年的初衷与意义。
UNITY： People think that temple groups generally give priority to cultivating monks， why did Master Hsing Yun have the idea of founding the league in the first place？
Dean Huichuan： In fact， when promoting the Buddha dharma， Master Hsing Yun paid much attention to the targets including both Buddhists and common people. He called for Engaged Buddhism， namely to bring daily life into the Buddha dharma and apply the Buddha dharma to daily life. The Buddha’s dharma should not be put on the shelf or locked in an ancient temple in a mountain. It should be accepted by ordinary people and help them change their minds and bodies. When applied in daily life， it would bring benefits to their lives. This is not exclusive to Buddhists but acceptable to everyone， even if you are not a Buddhist. Master Hsing Yun proposed： Do good things， say good words and has good will.” It should be observed not only by Buddhists but also by everybody.
The beginning of the youths’ Buddhism learning was not smooth. The Buddhist singing group was considered to be too subversive. Many people were dissatisfied and even threatened Master Hsing Yun. In this case， the master knew that only the mobilizing of youths could bring the real development of Buddhism. So he ignored the threats and kept moving forward.
Under the guidance of Engaged Buddhism， the Buddha's Light International Youth League was gradually formed and established in 1996. Master Hsing Yun put forward that we need to let the youths develop their Bodhisattva Hearts and strengths to serve the society. He made it clear that what we should do is to motivate the virtuous hearts and enthusiasm of serving the society of youths and guide a right direction for them to devote. From then on， I have been involved in the league affairs.
UNITY：一般人认为，寺院团体素来以培养僧侣为主，星云大师当初为什么会有创立佛光青年的想法？
慧传院长：其实，星云大师在弘扬佛法的过程当中，很注重出家众和在家众共同弘扬佛法。星云大师提倡人间佛法，即希望能够把佛法生活化，生活能够佛法化。不应该把佛法束之高阁，关在深山古刹里面。而是应该把佛法这么美好的道理让人们接受，能够改变他们的身心，甚至于在日常生活当中贯彻执行，能够对他们的生命有所帮助。这已经不是出家人的专利，而是所有大众都能接受的理念，即便你不是佛教徒。就好像星云大师提倡的“三好四给”，即做好事、说好话、存好心，不仅出家人需要做，所有大众都应该要共同奉行。 青年学佛活动伊始并不顺利，比如佛教歌咏队活动，不少人认为其太过于颠覆传统，所以不满星云大师的这一做法，甚至扬言要对其不利。在这种情况之下，星云大师很清楚，只有把青年朋友带动起来，佛教也才能真正蓬勃发展起来。所以他不理会这些要挟，仍然勇往直前。
在人间佛教理念的指导之下，佛光青年逐渐成形并于1996年正式诞生。星云大师提出，要让青年人发挥其菩萨心、青年力，为社会大众做更多的服务。当时大师的这个理念已经很明确地告诉我们，就是要把年轻人那股善良的心、愿意为大众服务的热情激发起来，引导一个正确方向，让他们去奉献。也是从那时起，我一直投身于佛光青年事务。
UNITY： The youths have always been the impetus of society， but they do have some problems. What is your opinion？
Dean Huichuan： In the “World Teenagers’ Forum” held in Boao， I summarized the youths’ situation in Taiwan with the three words of “otaku”， “tedious” and “slack” which mean that they always stay at home and do not want to go out； they are quiet and not talk to parents or people in real life， but communicate with computers， cell phones and the internet with their fingers. Then it turns out to be more serious and they become slack， meaning they lack concentration， since they cannot focus on their fields but just communicate in unlimited information.
Youths now are confronted with two aspects of difficulties， one is external and the other is internal. The external one means： They have course loads， then emotional burden when growing older and employment problems. Finally it may cause interpersonal alienation， tension between parents and children， the upsurge of self-awareness and the confusion of life direction. All these external elements come from internal problems. A book entitled The Youths’ Problem written by Master Hsing Yun 30 years ago mentioned eight key points. For example， some young people do not have compassion but are selfish and self-concerned； they are easy to become impatient and have no persistence， which means they are “slack” as I just mentioned before.
UNITY：青年一直都是社会的推动力，但是现在的青年，确实也存在一些问题，您怎么看这个问题？
慧传院长：在“博鳌”举办的一个“世界青少年论坛”上，我用三个字总结了台湾青年，就是“宅”“闷”“散”。即宅在自己家里不想出门；闷着不太跟家长或者现实生活中的人讲话，而是用自己的手指跟电脑、手机对话，或者跟网络对话。最后越来越宅，越来越闷，越来越散——散就是已经不专心了，因为他没有办法专心于自己的领域，反而在无限的资讯当中沟通联系。
现在年轻人的困境有两大方面，一个是外在因素，另一个是内在因素。从外在的方面来看，他们有的有课业负担，年纪大一点的有感情负担，再大一点的面临就业问题。最后可能会导致人际关系的疏离，亲子关系的紧张，自我意识的高涨，不知道自己的生命方向……这些外在的因素其实源自于内在的问题。星云大师在30年前写了一本书叫做《青年的毛病》，提到了八大重点。比如，现在的年轻人不行慈而自私，也就是不行慈悲心，而自私自利；不耐烦而又无恒，就是刚才说的那个“散”。
UNITY： Are these part of the development of the Buddha's Light International Youth League？
Dean Huichuan： Yes. Since they have such kind of problems， we want them to change and have healthy personalities. A Bodhisattva Heart relates to mercy and wisdom deep in mind， and we need them to give an external display of the force， which is the strength of youths. UNITY：这些也是佛光青年发展历程的一部分？
慧传院长：对，因为他们有这些问题，我们当然就希望他们能够改变，成为一个人格健全的人。菩萨心就是我们内心的这种慈悲、智慧，我们需要把他们的这股力量外在表现出来，就是青年的活力。
UNITY： It is also a humanistic guidance for the youths.
Dean Huichuan： Yes. There were some disasters in the mainland recently， and many volunteers hurried off to the front line. They already have the strength but are scattered around， and a completed system can help them do more things.
UNITY：也是对青年人性的一个引导。
慧传院长：对。我最近看到大陆有几次灾难，很多志愿者积极奔赴在第一线。他们已经有这股力量，只不过还是一个分散的点，如果制度更健全，相信可以做更多的事情。
UNITY： What have been the major activities carried out by the Buddha's Light International Youth League？
Dean Huichuan： In principle we hold the “International Buddha’s Light Young Adult Conference” once a year. Since the establishment in 1996 and the first“International Buddha’s Light Young Adult Conference” in 1997， the conference has been held every year except in 1999. It sometimes is held in Taiwan， sometimes overseas.
UNITY：到现在为止，佛光青年部分都开展了哪些比较大型的活动？
慧传院长：我们原则上一年会办一次活动，叫“国际佛光青年会议”。从1996年成立，到1997年举办“第一次国际佛光青年会议”，除了1999年之外，佛光青年会议从来没有停过。有时候在台湾，有时候在海外。
UNITY： Do the participants all come from the league？
Dean Huichuan： Generally， yes. But there are other groups. When staying at home， they do not know what course to follow for their own life. They are not like this in the beginning when they were full of hope， promise and development. We need to recognize this and push them forward， and it is why we introduce the conference to the whole world.
What’s more， for those young people from the five continents who cannot gather together every year， we hold a meeting every year in every continent. And we found that， the promotion of Buddhism would be disjointed when dealing with those youths who disagree with Chinese culture. If they recognize the Chinese culture and can speak Chinese， they would be closer and closer to you. I gradually found that these activities were very meaningful. The Chinese culture can be passes on and the youths start to acknowledge and apply Buddhism.
UNITY：这个会议的参加人员都是佛光青年的成员吗？
慧传院长：大致上都是，也有另外的团队。年轻人憋在家里时，他不知道自己的人生该何去何从。一般的年轻人开始时绝对不是这样，他同样充满了希望、前途、发展。我们需要看到这一点，让他往前冲，这也是我们将会议推向世界各地的原因之一。
另外，对于分布在五大洲的那些无法每年聚在一起的青年，我们的做法是每一个洲每年办一次聚会。在这个过程中我们发现，对于不认同中华文化的青年人，佛教文化的普及也会脱节。如果认同了中华文化，会讲中文，他就跟你越来越亲近。后来我慢慢发现，佛光青年的这些活动很有意义。中华文化得已传播下去，他们对佛教也开始认同，也开始自觉行佛了。
UNITY： What were the setbacks in these years？
Dean Huichuan： Resistance came at the beginning. For example， we invited young people to come， but they would not like to. And it was the hardest part， I think. Because it was not a concert for them to go after the stars and boring preach could attract them. Some of them left after a while when losing the feeling of freshness. But difficulties stimulated us to think how to make youths be more confident and want to stay to make contributions. At first， we carried out some activities， and then these were not able to draw their attentions， so we needed to find things for them to do and provided Buddha’s dharma for them to listen to. Their talents should be given the role to play and to be affirmed through two ways. At last， there would be unexpected gains. UNITY：佛光青年这么多年遇到过什么挫折？
慧传院长：一开始都会遇到阻力。比如，我们邀请年轻人来参加，但他们开始并不是都愿意，这是我觉得最困难的部分。因为我们不是演唱会，没有明星让他们追求，枯燥地讲道并不能吸引他们。也有一些青年参与了一段时间以后，新鲜感没有了，他会选择离开。但是，困境能够激发我们去思考如何让年轻人能够更有信心，更愿意留在这个地方奉献发挥。比如刚开始时会举办一些活动，接下来只是举办活动已经不能吸引他们，所以还要让他们有事可以做，有佛法可以听闻。通过两种方式，他们的优势才能得以发挥和肯定。最后，往往会有意外的收获。
UNITY： What are the subjects of these activities？
Dean Huichuan： We start from the perspectives of Zen and culture and do not drag Buddhism in. Then problems are solved since the participants are not all Buddhism learners.
UNITY：这些活动的主题一般都是什么？
慧传院长：我们从禅学、从文化的角度去探讨，不要把它牵涉到佛、佛教上来，问题就很好解决了，因为参与的人不见得都是学习佛教的学生。
UNITY： What are the plans for the future development of the Buddha's Light International Youth League？
Dean Huichuan： Besides the conferences and activities held nowadays， we hope the youths become important followers and leaders to inherit and popularize the concept of Engaged Buddhism. We will host the “International Buddha’s Light Young Adult Conference” from July 10th to 13th this year and welcome young people to join us.
UNITY：佛光青年对于将来的发展有何规划？
慧传院长：将来除了现在举办的会议、活动以外，也希望年轻人能够成为重要的信徒，重要的干部，继续传承、推广人间佛教理念。今年7月10-13日，我们将举办“国际佛光青年大会”，欢迎广大青年人参与其中。
UNITY： How to become a member of the league？
Dean Huichuan： We have branch missions all over the world and people can apply to join in. At present， there is no one in the mainland. We need to lay a solid foundation and if permitted by the law， we will set up branch missions in the mainland.
UNITY：怎样才能成为佛光青年的一员？
慧传院长：佛光会在世界各地都有分会，通过申请加入这个团体即可。目前，大陆还没有分团。我们要先扎好根基，如果法令上允许的话，将来有机缘就会在大陆设立分团。
UNITY： We should promote the activities and purpose of the league among young people to let them feel the power of themselves and then to deal with difficulties in society.
Dean Huichuan： Yes. In this way， they will not be affected by the surrounding environment and have a central value that they will not go with the flow. When a person has a complete personality， he would start from himself and then gradually influence others. It is what the Master called “A World of Five Harmonies”， namely “self-harmony”， “family harmony”， “people-to-people harmony”， “social harmony” and “world peace”. If you feel peaceful and happy， you are confident of yourself and know your direction. All of these external miscellaneous problems cannot disturb you that you would be truly happy and satisfied.
UNITY：应该在广大青年当中推广佛光青年的活动、宗旨等，让所有的青年都感受到自身内心的强大，然后再来应对社会上困难。
慧传院长：对。这样他们就不太会受到周围环境的影响，而且自己有一个中心价值观念，就不会随波逐流。一个人人格健全了以后，他先从自己开始，然后再慢慢地影响扩散到别人。所以大师讲“五和的世界”，即“自心和悦”、“家庭和顺”、“人我和敬”、“社会和谐 ”、“世界和平”。如果你自心和悦，那就是你对自己都已经很有自信了，知道自己的方向了，外面所有的这些杂七杂八的问题，已经干扰不了你了，你才能够自心和悦快乐起来。