FAQs | Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto

Visiting the Temple

Can I visit the temple? Is the temple open to the public?

Yes, everyone is welcome to visit the temple. The Temple’s opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. To ensure everyone’s health and safety, if you are feeling flu or cold symptoms, please consider rescheduling your visit until you are well.

What are the guidelines for visiting the temple?

1. Please do consider joining our public tours (information on tours listed included in this document).
2. Please respect others, events ongoing and temple property.
3. Water Drop Teahouse is open from Tue ~ Sun / 11:00 am to 4:00 pm for members, please enquire further with other questions regarding the tea house.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Are there temple tours available?

We have guided public temple tours on Saturdays at 1pm & 2pm. Each session is an hour long. Advanced booking is not required but please arrive 10 minutes before a public tour.

We also offer guided tours to groups such as schools, educational institutions and senior groups. These tours are meant to help visitors to learn more about our temple and Humanistic Buddhism.

Our volunteer tour guides will lead visitors through the temple. Join us on an enlightening journey of Chinese art, culture, and Buddhism!

To book a tour for a large group, please email to [guidedtour@fgs.ca]. We will check our availabilities and reply to your request email to confirm your booking.

What are the steps to book an appointment?

Book your appointment online here
To book, click the button "Book Appointment"
Select a service "Appointment for Prayer at Temple"
Select your preferred date and time to visit the temple.
Enter the details. In the “Appointment notes” – list the names of visitors coming to the temple with you (a maximum of 6 members from the same household).
Click "Book Appointment" to complete the form. Confirmation of appointment will be texted and/or emailed to you.
On the appointment day, every visitor should have completed the self-screening before coming to the temple: www.bit.ly/fgscovidscreening.
After completing the survey, simply screenshot the green "you can go" screen with the date and show it and "confirmation of appointment to the screener upon entry.

If you have any further questions, please contact us and we'll be happy to help you out.

Temple

Who is the founder of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto?

Venerable Master Hsing Yun. You can learn more about him here.

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What are the objectives and purpose of the Temple?

Fo Guang Shan promotes Humanistic Buddhism through the pursuit of four objectives:
1. Propagate Buddhist teachings through cultural activities.
2. Nurture talents through education.
3. Benefit societies through charitable programs.
4. Purify human hearts and minds through Buddhist practices.

The purpose of the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto:
1. To serve as a centre for spiritual and cultural activities and exchange.
2. To propagate “Humanistic Buddhism”.
3. To foster and promote inter-faith dialogue.
4. To connect the global Buddhist communities.

Where does Fo Guang Shan originate from?

Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Monastery is headquartered in Taiwan. The FGS community has around 300 branch temples globally.

What do the great bell and drum in the front of the temple symbolize?

The morning bell and evening drum serve to awaken practitioners, reminding them to practice diligently and ward off laziness. Tolling of the morning bell awakens people from their delusive dreams. The evening drum rolls signal the sounds of the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha. The Dharma instruments seen in the main shrine assist in ceremonies and are meant to rid the deluded and confused minds of all beings.

Why are the Five Buddhas honoured in the Main Shrine?

The Five Buddhas represent the five corners of the universe from Buddhist’s perspective in space and time. Starting from the
- East (far left) is Aksobhya Buddha who symbolizes humility, unmoved by anger;
- South (second left) is Ratnasambhava Buddha who embodies equanimity, values and merits;
- Centre is Vairocana Buddha (the Dharma body of Shakyamuni Buddha) who represents Dharma preaching as our teacher;
- West (second right) is Amitabha who stands for purity and longevity;
- North (far right) is Amoghasiddhi Buddha who embodies accomplishment by wisdom.
These Five Buddhas also stand for the cultivation of transforming consciousness into ultimate wisdom as described in Yogacara ( Mind Only School ).

Buddhism

Who is the Buddha? Was Buddha a god?

Sakyamuni Buddha is not a god, but a human being, an enlightened sage. He brought light and hope to the world, teaching us how to free ourselves from ignorance and cross the sea of suffering, worry, and sorrow. Through his guidance, we can attain eternal liberation and peace, known as "Nirvana." This is why he is called the "Teacher of Heavenly and Human Beings." The Buddha is not only a teacher for people, but even heavenly beings and gods regard him as their guide, for he realized the truth of the universe.

Why do Buddhists bow, pray or pay homage to the Buddha statues, even if Buddhism does not believe in creationism?

Buddhists do not pray to or pay homage to Buddha statues, but rather show respect for the Buddha-Dharma (the Buddha’s teachings) that these statues represent. The Dharma is the truth and the reality of life. The Buddha's teachings go beyond natural laws; they guide us on how to practice and realize the path to happiness and peace.

What is the essence of Humanistic Buddhism?

Venerable Master Hsing Yun said that Humanistic Buddhism is "what the Buddha taught, what is essential to human beings, what purifies, and what is virtuous and beautiful. Any teachings that contribute to a happier and better life are considered Humanistic Buddhism."

Do Buddhists pray before a meal?

Buddhists usually join their palms prior to meals. Buddhists practices offering by dedicating their meals to the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and all sentient beings. We must not forget that we co-exist with other beings while taking the meal. We kindly hope that all sentient beings to progress towards and attain Buddhahood. The dining hall in a Chinese monastery is usually referred to as “The Hall of Five Contemplations” because people are reminded to contemplate the following when they eat:

1. To acknowledge one’s own merits and be thankful to the causes and conditions behind the food served.
2. To assess one’s own virtues to see whether one is entitled to the meals.
3. To safeguard one’s mind from unwholesome thoughts, especially greed
4. To receive this food in order to accomplish one’s own cultivation
5. To regard the food as medicine to nourish one’s physical body.

Why do Buddhists join their palms?

Joining palms is a dignified way of greeting rooted in Indian culture. The act of bringing ten fingers together symbolizes how the ten Dharma realms unite within our hearts. The act of joining palms allows us to pay attention to the Buddha nature in all beings. We must adopt a respectful outlook while practicing Buddha’s teaching and aspire to deliver others and ourselves. Furthermore, joining palms helps us to concentrate our minds while praying. The graceful gesture allows our hearts accept the purity and energy the Buddha embodies

Why do Buddhists practice vegetarianism?

A Buddhist strives to be compassionate to all beings at all times. Our world would be much more peaceful if humanity could stop the brutal acts of killing in all shapes and forms.

How does one commit to become a Buddhist?

Becoming a Buddhist involves having faith to Buddhist practices and by Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem. Most cultivation or gatherings are open to the public, regardless of religious background. We aim to enhance harmony in our minds, lives, and the community.

Must Buddhists be vegetarians? What about nuns and monks?

Vegetarianism carries three vital messages:
1) To respect all life. All life forms are equal and are therefore entitled the same right to live and co-exist in this world. Being a vegetarian is meaningless when one does not respect life.
2) To develop stewardship and live sustainably for the health of our Earth and it’s ecosystems. As the global population is growing rapidly, much needed resources are used towards procuring meat. There is also the problem of various forms of pollution that are mitigated in plant-based diets and lifestyle.
3) To benefit our health.

Buddhists do not need to be vegetarians but they must uphold respect for life. All Buddhist nuns and monks are vegetarians with exceptions of certain sects in Buddhism.

Is Buddhism a pessimistic religion that focuses only on suffering?

Buddhism practice transcends confusion by teaching and understanding life's challenges, therefore liberating oneself from unwholesomeness, ultimately strengthen in our joy and wisdom.

Can devotees of other religions practice Buddhism?

Buddhism is the universe truth, a way of life that all can practice irrespective of their faith, ethnicity, and personal values. Besides sharing common themes with other religions such as loving kindness, compassion, equality, equanimity and generosity, Buddhism teaches us to how to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Buddhism guides us to understand the cycles of life and death and ways to be liberated from attachments and sufferings. Of course, everyone is free to choose one's spiritual practices and cultivation.

Why does monastics shave their head?

Monastics, in Buddhism, also stands for “renunciant” one who renounce all the worldly desires and affairs. Such act allow one to achieve purity, liberation, and conquer hindrances on the way to Buddhahood.

What activities or gatherings take place at the Temple?

Visit our website for details on our programs and activities. Most events are either conducted in English or accompanied by live translation.

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How do I find out more what’s happening at the Temple?

Explore our website for information on our Temple facilities, services, and programs. We look forward to welcoming you. You may reach out to us with any questions or feedback, we will be happy to address them.

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Questions?We got answers.

Visiting the Temple

Temple

Buddhism

Questions?
We got answers.