2015 MVA Thesis Projects 

What does it mean to be Chinese-American and second-generation Buddhist? Set in the predominantly Asian “ethnoburbs” of Los Angeles County, Youth Group takes an observational look at a vibrant Buddhist youth group in a Chinese-American temple. Youth group members, most raised by immigrant Buddhist parents, attempt to define Buddhism on their own terms as they struggle to understand the rituals and beliefs of their parents’ Buddhism. Interweaving the stories of teenagers in the midst of their identity formation and young adults faced with the challenge of cultivating the next generation of Buddhist youth leaders, Youth Group paints a lighthearted and intimate portrait of generational gap, hyphenated-identities, and flexible beliefs in Asian America.

 

Running time: 28 minutes