Year One — the Harmony Level (Bậc Hòa) study program. The program has two parts: A. Dharma (Buddhist Teachings) and B. Practical Skills.

A. Dharma (Buddhist Teachings)

I. Matters Concerning Oneself:

• Taking refuge in the Three Jewels — vegetarianism — mindful recitation of the Buddha's name.
• The Three Poisons — the Ten Wholesome Deeds.
• Using the bell and wooden fish (chuông mõ).

II. Matters Concerning Others and Society:

• The Six Points of Harmony (Lục Hòa).
• The Four All-Embracing Virtues (Tứ Nhiếp Pháp).
• The life of Shakyamuni Buddha.

III. Awareness:

• The purpose and motto of the Buddhist Youth Family (GĐPT).
• The Five Precepts (of GĐPT).
• The meaning of the lotus emblem and the meaning of the grey (lam) color.
• Cause and effect.
• Rebirth (samsara).
• Honoring filial gratitude (Báo Hiếu).

IV. Self-Cultivation:

• The Eight-Precept retreat (Bát Quan Trai).

B. Practical Skills

Based on the practical-skills program of the Sơ Thiện level.

I. Arts & Performance:

• Music: the pickup beat — time signatures 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 — how to conduct 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 — the dotted note — the rest.
• Singing: memorize 5 songs: "Kính Mến Thầy", "Anoma Ni Liên", "Kết Đoàn", "Vui Chung Gia Đình" and "Hồn Lửa Thiêng".
• Stage: retell a Jātaka (past-life) story you have read — perform a short, cheerful skit (for the campfire) — perform simple dances.
• Painting and fine arts: copy some decorative motifs found at the temple — some Buddhist artworks of the Lý dynasty — decoration — presentation and layout.
• Literature: write an account of a camp or an outing.
• Photography: know the internal parts and operating principles of a camera.

II. Youth Activities:

• Knots: middle knot (gút giữa), fisherman's knot (kẻ chài), lark's head (sơn ca), timber hitch (trục gỗ), constrictor knot (riết), single chair knot (ghế đơn), double chair knot (ghế kép), catfish-barb knot (ngạnh trê).
• Field visits: take notes on the architectural history of a temple.
• Signaling: Morse code with flags and handkerchiefs.
• Trail signs: know 10 trail signs made with chalk and by every other means.
• First aid: bandage wounds on the elbow, finger, hand, toe and foot; know how to carry an injured person and how to make a stretcher from a blanket, jackets or rope.
• Camping: know how to choose a site and pitch a tent, light a fire, and set up your own cooking at camp.
• Physical fitness and sports: swim 50m freestyle, cycle 10 km without tiring, and know how to row a boat.
• Orientation: find directions using a compass, the sun and the moon.
• Astronomy: predict the weather by 3 common methods.

III. Social Activities:

• Environmental sanitation: help clean up the neighborhood, village and hamlet.
• Healthcare: assist charity medical teams in the area where the group meets.
• Relief: join the temple's relief groups.