On March 10th, 2024, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto commemorated the anniversary of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's ordination with a Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem ceremony. A total of 59 devotees, spanningvarious age groups, made the solemn commitment to take refuge in the Triple Gem and officially became Buddhists.

With over a hundred Fo Guang members and attendees present, the aspirants, under the guidance of Ven. Chueh Fan, the Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, earnestly undertook vows, repented, and recited the "Refuge in the Triple Gem Prayer." Among the new followers, 17 were men and 42 were women, with over half under the age of 30, including 14 master's degree holders.

Ven. Chueh Fan, representing the Most Venerable Hsin Bau, the Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Monastery, presided over the ceremony, congratulating the participants on becoming the forty-ninth generation disciples of the Linji Sect. Encouraging them to uphold their faith and pursue Buddhist studies, she emphasized self-awareness, compassion, and active participation in Dharma gatherings. The Abbess also gave a Dharma lecture to elaborate on the meaning of Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem, titled "Questions and Answers on Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem," from the Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

In the afternoon, the new Buddhists were divided into small groups, guided by four Venerables in learning Buddhist etiquette in the Main Shrine.

The atmosphere was oneof joy and familial unity, with attendees ranging from whole families to couples and siblings. Notably, Beverley Taylor, a member of the English reading group "Lotus Mornings," invited her children Jamal and Amita to witness the ceremony. Grace Wang, former president of the Waterloo Subchapter of the Buddha’s Light International Association, celebrated her grandson's one-hundredth day since birth by accompanying her daughter Jia-Lin Xu and grandson to take refuge together.