English
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Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, once said that reading provides us with four benefits –
it can help us to:
With this philosophy in mind, Fo Guang Shan temples around the world have set up libraries to encourage reading, with the goal of establishing a scholarly society.
Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto has 3 library branches: the main branch located on the second floor of the Temple and two branches at the Buddha’s Light Centres in Markham and Waterloo respectively. These library branches are open to the public.
Mississauga main branch: Tuesday–Sunday from 10:00am-4:00pm
Items labeled with a red dot are not available for borrowing and are for in-library use only.
Markham and Waterloo branches: as per the opening hours of the two Buddha’s Light Centres
Borrowed items must be returned in 3 weeks. Books can be renewed twice if not on hold. Renewal has to be done by/before the due day and the items will be renewed from the day of renewal. Renewal may be made by telephone calls or in person.
Renewal is to be done on/before the due day in person at the main/branch library or by phone call. Library items can be renewed twice in total. Renewal of overdue items can only be done after paying up the outstanding fines. This Library does not accept phone renewal on overdue items.
Our library collections are from various precious sources. There are no better alternatives but to charge fine for lost or damaged items. Fine for each lost or damaged item is three times the original cost.
Our library currently has a collection of over 25,000 items, including Buddhist and non-Buddhist texts, magazines, and audio-visual media in Chinese, English and other languages.
These items are classified into the following categories:
Through books, we can gain a deeper understanding of what Humanistic Buddhism wants to bring to us.
On April 23, 1992, Venerable Jue Cheng arrived in Brazil, South America, as part of a Dharma propagation delegation led by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Following the Master's guidance, she stayed in Brazil for fifteen years, dedicating herself to promoting Humanistic Buddhism.
During her time in Brazil, Venerable Jue Cheng focused on the four main objectives of Fo Guang Shan. She founded the "Sons of the Tathagata" education program, which offered a brighter future to underprivileged children. This initiative received high recognition from both the local government and the United Nations, profoundly impacting the lives of the children it served.
Venerable Jue Cheng's journey in Brazil was one of resilience, where each challenge became an opportunity for spiritual growth. The "Sons of the Tathagata" program stands as a testament to her dedication, written together with a group of committed practitioners, as they guided and uplifted sentient beings.
Venerable Master Hsing Yun said that the key is knowing what to let go of and how to do it. It's about deciding what to release and what to keep. Holding on to everything can be overwhelming, but letting go of everything can be inconvenient when something is needed. So, it's important to know when to hold on and when to let go. If you can't let go of fame and wealth, your life will be consumed by chasing them. If you can't let go of happiness and sadness, you'll be stuck in those emotions. If you can't let go of money, status, or relationships, you'll be caught up in them. Even if you can't let go of ideas about right and wrong, gains and losses, or good and evil, your life will be filled with constant conflict.
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Throughout his life, Venerable Master Hsing Yun spread the Dharma and guided countless people, often using simple words to convey deep Buddhist teachings. His writings serve as a beacon of light in a troubled world, offering encouragement to those who are lost. The book Make Virtue Your Productivity: The Way of Venerable Master Hsing Yun helps readers look inward and honestly confront themselves, beginning from the heart. It's a book worth revisiting and reflecting upon.
Another key theme in Cloud and Water is acceptance and letting go. The author emphasizes that much of the suffering in life comes from our inability to accept the present and our attachment to the past. By learning to accept reality and let go of past obsessions, we can attain inner freedom and release. This wisdom is not achieved overnight but requires continuous practice and self-reflection.
On the journey of life, we navigate through days, months, and years, encountering confusion, joy, sorrow, honor, and disgrace. Whether it's the thrill of success or the disappointment of failure, this book is here to offer support during those moments.
In this world, some find shelter in the comfort of home, while others wander far and wide. Whether you're feeling content or discouraged, 365 Days for Travelers provides a comforting voice, helping you recall the warmth of home, the love of family, and the bonds of friendship. With contributions from nearly 400 authors and 800 works—including poetry, songs, family teachings, mottos, and scriptures—this book offers words of encouragement. For those weary of life's challenges, it can renew the spirit; for those feeling wronged, it can open the heart and bring peace.
Whether or not one practices Buddhism, Buddha-nature is present in everyone. Regardless of age, we all have the ability to make ourselves and the world around us better and more positive. This series of stories aims to awaken the human spirit, inspiring readers of all ages with energy, courage, and compassion on the path to self-discovery.
A unique feature of the book is the QR codes next to each story, which link to English audio versions of the stories. Each story is also accompanied by a "Hsing Yun’s Dharma Words," a concise saying that captures the story’s core message. These Dharma words, written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun based on his life experiences, offer encouragement and guidance, serving as a beacon for those feeling lost in the complexities of life.
Fo Guang Card (FGC) is the official library card.
Old library card holders or patrons without a FGC, you are welcome to apply for one at the front desk.
The old library cards are no longer valid.
During the process of applying for it, a Temporary Library Card will be issued in the interim until the FGC arrives.
