News Gallery
The 2024 Fo Guang Shan (FGS) America Benefactors Convention was held on April 28 at The Westin Anaheim Resort in Southern California. Nearly 400 benefactors, venerables, and Fo Guang members from Asia, North America, and South America reunited after a 7-year hiatus. The benefactors, referred to as the "stakeholders" of Fo Guang Shan by founding master Venerable Master Hsing Yun, received recognition, exchanged insights, and vowed to continue upholding Humanistic Buddhism.
The meeting commenced with a Dharma talk video by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, compassionately stating that Fo Guang Shan belongs to the Four Assemblies. Its establishment relied on the benefactors' vows of support. He enumerated the benefactors' contributions to various Dharma propagation efforts, wishing all to uphold: "Glory Goes to the Buddha, Success Goes to the Community, Benefit Goes to the Monastery, Merit Goes to the Devotees," to purify society and promote cross-strait exchanges.
The Fo Guang Shan Monastery Head Abbot Most Venerable Hsin Bau, expounded that in the Venerable Master Hsing Yun's anthology, he particularly mentioned the benefactors' accomplishments among the ten conditions for Fo Guang Shan's establishment, showing his high regard for them. He thanked the benefactors for upholding the Dharma wholeheartedly, referencing the Buddha's guidance to King Prasenajit to dedicate merits towards spiritual cultivation, ensuring blessings continually.
Venerable Hui Chuan, Deputy Abbot of Fo Guang Shan, delivered a Dharma propagation report. He mentioned that in the future, on four auspicious dates–the Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Memorial Day (the 15th day of the 1st lunar month), Renunciation Anniversary (the 1st day of the 2nd lunar month), Fo Guang Shan Opening Memorial (May 16th), and Birthday (the 22nd day of the 7th lunar month)-respective branch monasteries will hold commemoration ceremonies. As instructed, after the completion of Fo Guang Shan's ancestral Dajue Monastery in Yixing, a Water and Land Dharma Service will be conducted, including a Yoga Flaming Mouth Offering requiring 108 monastics which was realized in 2023, with preparations for a Triple Platform Full Ordination Ceremony in coming years. The inauguration ceremonies of Fo Guang Shan Tai Hua Temple and Berlin branch temple and construction plans for other Buddhist establishments require the benefactors' continued support.
Venerable Hui Dong, Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, reported on Dharma propagation across North America. Despite the pandemic, branch monasteries and Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) chapters closely cooperated like two wings of a bird, upholding Fo Guang Shan's four principal objectives. Besides promoting the online Fo Guang Shan North America Humanistic Buddhism Courses, many Fo Guang Shan branch temples actively engaged local communities by participating in national parades, and United Nations conferences and mobilizing disaster relief efforts, harmonizing theory and practice.
Dr. Minh-Hoa Ta, President of the University of the West (UWest), represented the university, expressing gratitude to Venerable Master Hsing Yun's emphasis on education. Embodying Venerable Master Hsing Yun's educational philosophy of integrating theory and practice, UWest is committed to cultivating students' character and nurturing outstanding global citizens. It proactively plans and promotes various curricula, lectures, and activities, fostering exchange with universities worldwide, and presenting UWest with infinite possibilities and hope.
Most Venerable Hsin Ting, Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Taihua Temple, expounded that amidst today's turbulent times, Fo Guang Shan's America branch temples serve as spiritual fortresses for devotees. In upholding the monasteries and The Triple Gem, the benefactors "perpetuate virtues across the generations, ensuring that merits accrue to their forebears and offspring”.
Elder Venerable Tzu Jung, President of the Fo Guang Shan Light Transmission Council, stated that the benefactors' tireless efforts in supporting monasteries bring joy, serving as volunteers like the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva. She thanked them for walking the Bodhisattva path and promoting Humanistic Buddhism.
Most Venerable Hsin Bau, Venerable Tzu Jung, Most Venerable Hsin Ting, Former Abbot Most Venerable Hsin Pei, Deputy Abbot Venerable Hui Chuan, Deputy Abbot Venerable Hui Zhao, Chairperson of the Benefactors' Society Venerable Yung Ping and Venerable Man Yi successively conferred certifications on benefactors of various levels. A video of Venerable Master Hsing Yun reciting “A Prayer for Lay Devotees” was played to bestow blessings.
The performances were spectacular. 15-year-old Samantha Kao from Buddha’s Light Hsi Lai School (BLHLS) served as a junior host, introducing campus life. BLHLS student Seleste Tapia performed on the Khim (a stringed musical instrument of Thailand). Ms Lucy Xie, the instructor of Hsi Lai Temple’s Dunhuang Dance Troupe, performed "Nirvana and Celestial Beings." BLIA LA Chapter Young Adult Division (YAD) 2 sang "Sounds of The Human World" songs. The monastics gave a rousing chorus finale of "Song of Venerable Master Hsing Yun," "We are FGS People," and "My Hometown is at Fo Guang Shan," as benefactors waved their phones, applauding continuously.
Finally, Elder Venerable Tzu Chuang was invited to offer encouragement. Recounting her journey, she expressed fortune in being assigned by Venerable Master Hsing Yun to establish a monastery in the US, made possible by the benefactors' support. After 10 arduous years, Hsi Lai Temple, lauded as the "Forbidden City of America," was completed as Venerable Master's first international propagation center. Elder Venerable Tzu Chuang repeatedly thanked all benefactors, praying everyone would actualize Venerable Master's vow: "May the Buddha's light shine universally on the three thousand realms; Let the Dharma stream flow across all five continents."
After the successful convention, benefactors praised the warm, solemn proceedings and exquisite vegetarian cuisine. The presence of many elder venerables was deeply moving, and the performances conveyed a heartwarming yet lively atmosphere.
(Photos by Chihcheng Chang)
