A Spiritual and Cultural Home
Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto has served as an educational, cultural, and spiritual center for the Greater Toronto Area since 1991.
Humanistic Buddhism
The temple propagates Humanistic Buddhism, which emphasizes bringing Buddhist teaching into our daily lives and maintaining harmony with the environment, society, each other, and within ourselves.
As a spiritual, cultural, and educational center, we welcome anyone curious about Buddhism and Chinese culture — regardless of background.
Venerable Master Hsing Yun
This mission traces back to one teacher — for nearly seven decades, he devoted his life to spreading Humanistic Buddhism to millions around the world.
Learn More About Our Founder →Four Core Objectives
Propagate Buddhist teachings through cultural activities
Nurture talents through education
Benefit societies through charitable programs
Purify human hearts and minds through Buddhist practice
From Groundbreaking to Consecration
Founded
Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan, visited Toronto to give a public Dharma talk and inaugurate the Toronto chapter of the Buddha’s Light International Association. Devotees who attended asked him for a permanent Buddhist centre, and I.B.P.S. Toronto — later renamed Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto — was founded in response.
Groundbreaking
Venerable Master Hsing Yun personally led the groundbreaking ceremony on the temple’s Mississauga site, marking the start of construction on what was then still known as Fo Guang Si.
First Refuge Ceremony
Venerable Master Hsing Yun returned to the newly completed temple to preside over the first Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts ceremony held in the Toronto area.
Consecration
On August 10, 1997, the temple officially opened and was consecrated — a 50,000-square-foot facility built to serve the local Chinese community and propagate the Dharma across the Greater Toronto Area.
I.B.P.S. of Toronto
Now known as Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, the temple continues to serve the community, with satellite centers in Markham and Kitchener-Waterloo.
50,000 Square Feet in Mississauga
Our main temple houses a magnificent main shrine, tea house, traditional Chan meditation hall, Buddhist cultural museum, library, dining hall, and bookstore. Facilities with their own storefront or program page have a button below — the rest are part of the temple building itself.
Main Shrine
The heart of the temple, where five golden Buddha images preside over daily services, chanting, and prayer.
Water Drop Teahouse
A traditional Chinese tea house serving vegetarian noodles, tea, and light fare in a calm, contemplative setting.
Visit Water Drop Teahouse
Museum Hall
A cultural museum preserving Buddhist sculpture, ritual objects, and calligraphy for public viewing.
Meditation Hall
A traditional Chan meditation hall used for sitting meditation, retreats, and quiet reflection.
Library
The Fo Guang Shan Library of Toronto holds over 25,000 items in Chinese, English, and other languages, with branches in Markham and Waterloo.
See Library Services
Bookstore
Buddha’s Light Bookstore carries books on Buddhism, crafts, practice accessories, and gifts.
Shop the Bookstore
Dining Hall
A shared dining hall where visitors and volunteers take vegetarian meals together after services and events.
Affiliated with ~300 Temples Worldwide
Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto is affiliated with approximately 300 Fo Guang Shan temples worldwide, connected to the international Buddhist organization founded in Taiwan in 1967.
Explore Global Affiliations