國際佛光會墨爾本協會Buddha's Light International Association of Victoria
+61 3 9890 3996info@bliav.org.au
BLIA Victoria國際佛光會墨爾本協會
Young adults from across Australia and New Zealand at the 2026 ANZBYC in Melbourne
Home / BLIA YAD
BLIA Young Adult Division · 佛光青年團

BLIA × Young Adults = BLIA YAD

Find your people. Find your purpose. Become the best version of yourself — young Buddhists aged 15 to 35, grounded in Buddhist compassion and wisdom, growing into the future leaders of our society.

BLIA YAD Melbourne volunteers taking a group selfie
Our unique combination

Where legends are made

Like BLIA Scouts, BLIA YAD is designed to develop the potential of young people and bring out their very best. It unites the energy, ideas and idealism of young Buddhists with Buddhist compassion and wisdom, and the worldwide network of the Buddha's Light International Association — shaping leaders of integrity for the future of our society.

BLIA YAD Melbourne volunteer crew, ready to go
Young Adults

Energy & ideas

  • Fresh ideas and the drive to make a difference
  • Friendship and a sense of belonging
  • Curiosity about life, purpose and the world
BLIA · Buddha's Light

Buddhist compassion & wisdom

  • Humanistic Buddhism as a direction for life
  • The Five Precepts as a foundation of ethical living
  • The Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings
  • A worldwide family of over three million members in 100+ countries
= BLIA YAD

Tomorrow's leaders

Young Buddhists who lead with integrity, confidence and compassion, and serve their community with purpose.

  • Leadership through running real programs and events
  • Service that adds value to life
  • An international fellowship — conferences and friendships across five continents →

Come say hi — join BLIA YAD

Our six aims

Why you'll love it here

Straight from the BLIA-YAD constitution — six ways YAD helps young people grow.

Find direction

Set a direction for life through Humanistic Buddhism.

Lead

Develop leadership skills by organising and running youth groups.

Explore

Broaden your horizons by taking part in camps, conferences and events.

Learn

Deepen your Buddhist faith through education and training.

Serve

Add value to your life by serving the community.

Inspire

Become a role model for young people through the Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings.

Life in YAD

Show up. Give back. Have the best time doing it.

The 2026 ANZBYC opening in Melbourne, hosted by BLIA YAD Melbourne
Hosting the 2026 Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference
BLIA YAD Melbourne performing on stage at a Dharma talk
On stage at a Dharma talk
BLIA YAD Melbourne members at a car wash fundraiser
Car wash fundraiser
BLIA YAD Melbourne playing games in the park
Games in the park
Young adults and families at the YAD Mid-Autumn afternoon tea
Mid-Autumn afternoon tea
BLIA YAD Melbourne members with a Venerable
Learning from the Venerables
BLIA YAD Melbourne members on a day out together
Days out together
Children and YAD leaders at Happy Camp 2018
Running Happy Camp for kids
Visitors colouring the mindfulness forest columns
Festivals

Festival crews

YAD volunteers are the energy behind the Buddha's Day & Multicultural Festival — from stage crew and logistics to Bathing the Buddha and children's activities.

Venerables and BLIA Victoria members walking with the VEGRUN Run for the World banner in Melbourne
Health & planet

VEGRUN & outdoors

Lace up for VEGRUN, bushwalks and Clean Up Australia Day — caring for body, mind and environment.

BLIA YAD Melbourne members enjoying a creative writing workshop
Practice

Study & meditation

Dharma discussions, meditation and Buddhism Exam preparation in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

Leadership pathway

From member to White Elephant

BLIA YAD has a structured, worldwide leadership training system that turns young Buddhists into confident leaders and Dharma speakers.

Under the BLIA-YAD constitution, members can train as executives through one to two years of cadre training. The aim: that every young Buddhist carries the character and ideals of Humanistic Buddhism, applies the Dharma in everything they organise, and carries forward Venerable Master Hsing Yun's spirit of giving joy.

Why a white elephant? The white elephant is the mount of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva — a symbol of great vows put into practice, and of perseverance through every challenge. Earning the White Elephant vest means taking on more responsibility for others.

Pegasus (天馬) Executives are assessed alongside White Elephant Executives as part of the same BLIA-YAD executive system — ask your supervising Venerable how this pathway applies to you.

Newly certified White Elephant Executives and a Sudhana Lecturer at the 2024 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Executive Conference, Berlin
New White Elephant Executives and a Sudhana Lecturer receive their certificates at IBLYAEC 2024 in Berlin.
01

Member

Young Buddhists aged 15–35 who have taken refuge in the Triple Gem and embrace Humanistic Buddhism.

02

White Elephant · Level 1

For members aged 16+ with at least a year in YAD who have taken refuge and the Five Precepts. Lead a 5-minute group activity, plan a sub-chapter event, and show you can live the Three Acts of Goodness, Four Givings and Five Harmonies.

03

White Elephant · Level 2

Step up to regional events of 50–100 people. Lead a 10-minute group activity, give a 10–15 minute talk (on the Five Precepts, the Buddha's ten great disciples or Humanistic Buddhism), staff training camps and take part in an international event.

04

White Elephant · Level 3

Lead at national and international level — events of 100+ people. Deeper Dharma study (the Eightfold Path, Twelve Links and more), teaching or leading teams at training camps, and leading a team at an international event.

05

Sudhana / Miaohui Lecturer

Open to White Elephant Level 2 and above. Give a 15-minute talk on one of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's articles, pass a written Buddhism test, and MC and promote events — becoming a youth Dharma speaker.

Now open · Next intake

2026–2027 Oceania White Elephant Training

Learn through the Dharma. Grow through service.

Ready to take the next step? Oceania YAD's online training weekend brings young adults from across Australia and New Zealand together to begin their White Elephant Executive training — no travel needed.

  • 19–20 December 2026 Saturday and Sunday
  • Online via Zoom Join from home, anywhere in Oceania
  • 8 hours per day Over two full days
  • Hosted by Oceania YAD For BLIA YAD members aged 15 to 35

Register now ↗Questions? Email BLIA YAD Melbourne

The training syllabus

What you'll learn

Training combines Dharma study, practical leadership and real service. In 2023–24, BLIA YAD Melbourne joined Queensland, Sydney, Perth and Auckland in the online Oceania White Elephant Executive Training.

Fo Guang Shan & BLIA

History of Fo Guang Shan, the origins of BLIA and YAD, and Venerable Master Hsing Yun's thought

Buddhist fundamentals

Four Noble Truths, Five Precepts, Six Perfections and core Buddhist concepts, linked to the Global Buddhism Exam levels

Buddhist etiquette

Temple manners, bowing, the mindful meal (過堂) and wearing the Dharma robe

Chanting & Buddhist music

Chanting the Heart Sutra and the Three Refuges, and singing Buddhist songs such as the BLIA Anthem

Event planning & group leading

Writing and running real event plans, icebreakers and group activities — from sub-chapter to international scale

Practice & service

Meditation and tea Chan, Dharma services, volunteering and a disaster-preparedness briefing

Recommended reading

Works by Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Fo Guang Shan, including: 《佛法真義》 · 《人間佛教佛陀本懷》 (Humanistic Buddhism: Holding True to the Original Intents of Buddha) · 《人間佛教當代問題座談會》 · 《我不是“呷教”的和尚》 · 《貧僧有話要說》 · 《佛光山開山故事》 · 《釋迦牟尼佛傳》

Requirements follow BLIA-YAD's executive assessment standards and may be adapted for each region. Successful candidates are certified at the International Buddha's Light Young Adult Executive Conference.

Start your leadership journey

The YAD creed

How we work together

集體創作

Collective creation

We achieve more together than any one of us alone.

制度領導

Led by systems

Fair, shared processes guide us — not personalities.

非佛不做

Only what accords with the Buddha

The Buddha's teachings are our standard in everything we do.

唯法所依

Rely only on the Dharma

The Dharma is our refuge and our compass.

A truly global fellowship

Your people are everywhere

Joining BLIA YAD means joining a worldwide family of more than 200 youth divisions and over 20,000 young Buddhists. Every year, YAD leaders from every continent meet at the International Buddha's Light Young Adult Executive Conference (IBLYAEC, 國際佛光青年幹部會議), also known as the International Buddhist Youth Conference (IBYC) — to learn, lead, share their cultures and make lifelong friends. In 2024, BLIA YAD Melbourne joined young leaders from 24 countries and regions in Berlin.

200+youth divisions worldwide
20,000+young Buddhists
5continents
27countries at IBLYAEC 2025
Next up · 9–11 July 2027

IBLYAEC 2027 — Auckland, New Zealand

Stay True to Initial Aspiration · Coexistence and Coprosperity

Next year the world's Buddha's Light young leaders are coming to our side of the world. The 2027 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Executive Conference will be held in Auckland from 9 to 11 July 2027 — organised by the BLIA Young Adult Division and co-organised by BLIA YAD New Zealand. It's just a short flight from Melbourne: come and represent BLIA YAD Melbourne.

Register now ↗Ask YAD Melbourne about going

Watch the IBLYAEC 2027 New Zealand promo

Where in the world has IBLYAEC (IBYC) taken our young Buddhists?

Illustration of a Fo Guang Shan temple, the Auckland skyline and two young adults waving the New Zealand flag, from the IBLYAEC 2027 poster
2027 Next up

Auckland, New Zealand

9–11 July 2027 · Stay True to Initial Aspiration · Coexistence and Coprosperity · register now

Young Buddhists waving flags at the 2026 Fo Guang Shan Youth Summit, Taiwan
2026

Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan

Fo Guang Shan Youth Summit: nearly 1,300 young people · 28 countries & regions · 30 years of BLIA-YAD

Young Buddhists and Venerables at Fo Guang Shan Xin Ma Temple, Johor Bahru, preparing for the 2025 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Executive Conference
2025

Xin Ma Temple, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

About 600 young Buddhists · 27 countries

Nearly 300 Buddha's Light youth leaders from 24 countries and regions at the 2024 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Executive Conference, Berlin
2024

Berlin, Germany

Nearly 300 leaders · 24 countries & regions · 45 divisions — including Melbourne

Young Buddhists waving national flags at the 2023 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Conference, Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan
2023

Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan

Nearly 1,000 young Buddhists · 5 continents

Nearly 1,000 young Buddhists from 28 countries and regions connected online for the 2022 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Conference
2022

Online — worldwide

Nearly 1,000 young Buddhists · 28 countries & regions · 25 years of BLIA-YAD

Young Buddhists from 21 countries and regions waving flags at the 2019 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Executive Conference, Zu Lai Temple, Brazil
2019

Zu Lai Temple, São Paulo, Brazil

300+ young leaders · 21 countries & regions · first time in South America

Young Buddhists parading national flags at the opening of the 2018 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Conference, Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan
2018

Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan

700+ young Buddhists · 27 countries & regions · Buddhism meets AI

Nearly 500 young leaders in the main shrine of Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles, at the 2017 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Executive Conference
2017

Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles, USA

Nearly 500 young leaders · 5 continents

Young Buddhists cheering at the 2016 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Conference, Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan
2016

Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan

1,000 young Buddhists · 23 countries · 50 years of Fo Guang Shan, 20 years of BLIA-YAD

Young Buddhists from five continents with their flags at Nan Hua Temple, South Africa, for the 2015 International Buddha's Light Young Adult Executive Conference
2015

Nan Hua Temple, South Africa

Nearly 200 young leaders · 5 continents · first time in Africa

The first International Buddhist Youth Conference was held at Fo Guang Shan in January 1997, with more than 600 young Buddhists from five continents. Above is a selection of recent conferences, newest first, reported by Merit News Agency and BLIA-YAD; photos courtesy of Merit News Agency. Closer to home, young Buddhists also gather every year at the Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference.

Young adults from across Australia and New Zealand at the 2026 ANZBYC in Melbourne
Australia & New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference (ANZBYC)

Every year, young adults aged 16–35 from across Australia and New Zealand gather for the Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference. BLIA YAD Melbourne hosted the 28th conference, “Harmony and Peace: iBodhisattva”, in Melbourne from 3 to 6 July 2026 — four days of learning, leadership and friendship.

ANZBYC website ↗

Participants of the Melbourne Bodhi Camp with Venerables
Melbourne · 菩提營

Bodhi Camp

Three days away with your crew, learning what Buddhism actually looks like in everyday life — and having a great time doing it.

Organised by BLIA YAD Melbourne, Bodhi Camp opens at Fo Guang Shan Melbourne and heads out to a bush campsite. The program mixes Buddhist etiquette, Dharma classes and talks, small-group discussions, morning and evening chanting and meditation with team challenges, games and zentangle drawing. Each night the Venerables lead a wrap-up and reflection, so everyone grows as a team.

In 2019 the camp’s theme was “Past, Present, Future”, with a leadership session from a guest speaker and talks on letting go and healthy living, and the camp moved from the temple to Wombat Corner Camp in Emerald.

Keep me posted about the next camp

Participants, Venerables and BLIA members at the opening of Bodhi Camp 2018, Fo Guang Shan Melbourne
Learning Buddhist etiquette at Bodhi Camp 2018
Bodhi Camp 2018 participants in the main shrine at Fo Guang Shan Melbourne
Team games with balloons at Bodhi Camp 2018

Bodhi Camp 2018 at Fo Guang Shan Melbourne · photos: BLIA YAD Melbourne

Our founding call

“Buddhism needs young people, and young people need Buddhism.”

佛教需要青年，青年需要佛教

BLIA-YAD grew out of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's call to young people at the first American and Canadian Buddhist Youth Camp at Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles, in March 1996 — and the movement now spans all five continents.

1996BLIA-YAD founded
15–35member age range
5continents
28Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conferences

佛光青年 · BLIA YAD Melbourne

Live your best life — with purpose

Good people, real impact and a whole lot of fun. BLIA YAD is where young Buddhists learn, lead and serve — and make friends for life along the way.

Part of a worldwide network of Buddha's Light young adults, BLIA Victoria YAD members organise their own activities, volunteer at every major BLIA event and take part in national and international youth conferences and leadership trainings across Oceania and the world.

Who can join: under the BLIA-YAD constitution, YAD membership is open to young people aged 15 to 35 who have taken refuge in the Triple Gem and embrace Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Humanistic Buddhism.

Message YAD MelbourneI'm in — register interest

BLIA YAD Melbourne members dancing together
Crowds before the animated Bodhi Tree projection at the Buddha's Day & Multicultural Festival 2025
Get involved

Your next chapter starts here

New friends, real leadership experience and a chance to make a difference that actually matters. No experience needed — just bring yourself.

I'm in — register interestMessage YAD Melbourne