The spicy-sweet smell of a traditional Sri Lankan curry side dish wafted throughout the backyard of the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center.
The traditional dish -- made with Mysore dhal, a type of lentil -- was among many that older children cooked Sunday for parents.
"I don't normally cook, so it is good to learn about how it is a big part of my culture," said Naomi Gunawardena, 16.
About 15 youths from the Pittsburgh region attended the Youth Dhamma Camp yesterday to learn about the Buddhist culture and values that are important in enriching their lives.
Dhamma is the truth taught by the Buddha.
Sri Lanka native Ananda Gunawardena said many children born as Buddhists in the United States have to be taught the culture.
"The camp is about creating a community and friendship under Buddhism and then applying it to their lives," Ananda said.
Ven. Pemaradana, a lecturer at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka, said he helped organize the camp because children need to be taught to love nature and appreciate people through Buddhism.
"Children are exposed to a lot of violent things, and they need to learn to balance the situation and the value to be calm and peaceful," he said.
Open to children of all ages and religions, the camp taught through lectures, discussions, films, and workshops.
The older children learned to live through nature by planting flowers in the temple's garden. Buddhist chanting and meditation also were taught.
The younger children, ranging from ages 3 to 9, learned traditional Buddhist values by gathering for Buddhist stories on the five precepts that all Buddhists should follow: kill no living thing, do not steal, do not commit adultery, tell no lies, and do not drink intoxicants or take drugs.
All the children participated in honoring their parents at the conclusion of the camp.
Mike O'Brien, 11, of Shaler, said he attended the camp because he was eager to be introduced to Buddhist culture.
Nimali Samaranayake and Naoka Gunawardena, both 11, said they plan to continue educating themselves about Buddhist values.
The Pittsburgh Buddhist Center opened a year ago along Route 908 in Harrison.
The center is the first temple in Western Pennsylvania of the Theravada branch of Buddhism, which is popular in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Berma, and Laos. Theravada is the oldest of several branches of Buddhism, a religion that encourages followers to become enlightened through meditation and moderation.
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