English
Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto held a series of activities to celebrate Dharma Day, which included “Online Dharma Day Celebration Service”, “Good Affinity Little Novice Returning Home,” "Buddha’s Light Young Adult Scholarship Award Ceremony", and Sharing of Laba congee.
On January 9 (Sunday), The Buddha’s Light Young Adult Scholarship Award Ceremony was held after the Dharma Day Celebration Service. The scholarship recipients for 2021 were Christine Huang and Jennifer Zhong. Both of them are currently studying at the University of Toronto (UofT). Christine is majoring in Buddhist psychology, and she wishes to apply Dharma teachings to psychological counselling. The 2nd scholarship recipient, Jennifer has been engaged with Fo Guang Shan activities since childhood. She hopes to contribute her knowledge and time from her study to the temple activities and to serve the community in the near future.
In response to the compassionate vow of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan hopes that Dharma joy generated from the Buddha’s enlightenment can be shared with everyone and that everyone receives blessings from the Buddha with an increase in wisdom. This year, as the pandemic continues, the temple carefully follows the public health practices to share the Laba congee. Ven. Chueh Fan, the Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto led all Venerbles, BLIA board directors, subchapter executives, and BLIA YAD worked together to share the Laba congees with members and devotees from January 8 to10. The cooking of Laba congee started at 5:00 am until noon on both January 9 and 10. Within these 3 days, the temple has distributed more than 2000 bowls of Laba congee to the members in Waterloo, North York, Scarborough, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, etc.
Members who received the Laba Porridge were deeply touched by the thoughtfulness and kindness from all the Venerables for delivering the warm Laba Porridge to their doorsteps in the freezing cold weather. Knowing how much all the Venerables and Fo Guang Shan care for them. The elderly members were so grateful and they expressed their gratitude to the temple and BLIA.
