The Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Toronto Chapter held its 2024 Annual General Meeting and Year-End Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on January 18, 2025, at the Mandarin Restaurant Banquet Hall in Brampton. Nearly 600 members and their families gathered to celebrate a year of dedication and achievements, fostering Dharma joy and reaffirming their commitment to the Bodhisattva spirit of service. Distinguished guests included Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto; Mabel Lam, President of the BLIA Toronto Chapter; Professor Zimei Deng, a renowned researcher at the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, as well as Dr. Jizhang Yi from the University of Toronto.

Venerable Chueh Fan opened the assembly by delivering the New Year message from Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan: “Keep going, thefuture is bright.” She encouraged members to cultivate resilience and adaptability, likening these qualities to the movements of a snake, to overcome challenges and move forward with confidence. She urged members to accumulate “Dharma wealth” through diligent practice and to spread Buddhist teachings courageously across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.

The evening’s proceedings included the certification of the BLIA Toronto Chapter’s Advisory Chair, the handover of leadership between outgoing and incoming subchapter presidents, the certification of new subchapter advisors,and the presentation of the 2024 work and financial reports. Outstanding members and Scout leaders were also recognized for their significant contributions. President Mabel Lam expressed her gratitude to all members fortheir dedication and highlighted the chapter’s success in education andcommunity service, made possible by their collective efforts. She expressed confidence in the chapter’s ability to make an even greater impact in 2025.  Venerable Chueh Fan thanked the leadership team for their collaborative spirit in promoting the BLIA Toronto’s mission.

The festivities began with an energetic performance by the temple’s Dragon and Lion Dance Team, creating a lively and celebratory atmosphere. Special recognition was given to long-serving volunteers with 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service, honoring their steadfast dedication to the organization Venerable Chueh Fan praised the unwavering commitment of these volunteers and expressed her joy in seeing the second generation of Buddha’s Light members embracing the Bodhisattva spirit of service. Young volunteers such as Joyce Lynn, Kevin Chen, Stacy Tran, Kiana Yue, and Darren Chen were recognized for their decade-long commitment, having started their service as children or adolescents.

During the volunteer sharing session, senior member Betty Young shared her inspiring 30-year journey of service. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunities provided by the Buddha’s Light community, which broadened her perspective and enriched her life. Betty pledged to continue embodying the spirit of service while mentoring the next generation of volunteers, passing onher wisdom and experience to ensure the legacy of Bodhi Mind thrives.

The evening featured captivating performances, including an elegant dance, By the Bay, performed by Carmen Zhu. The BLIA Toronto Young Adult Division (YAD) delivered a spirited performance of If I Could Change, a dance choreographed forthe 2024 North America Buddha’s Light Young Adult Fellowship Meeting, which showcased their energy and determination to inspire positive change in theworld.

The event concluded with a moving finale led by Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan, who joined the monastics and Youth Group in singing songs composed by Venerable Master Hsing Yun: The Song of Buddhist Youths, My Home is at Fo Guang Shan, and Fo Guang Member is Everywhere. The audience sang along, creating a joyous and uplifting atmosphere filled with Dharma joy and applause.

At the Light Offering Ceremony, the Abbess led attendees in chanting the name of Medicine Buddha and listening to Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s New Year Prayer, which expressed wishes for peace, prosperity, and well-being in the coming year. Guests received symbolic gifts of peace and good fortune, along with Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s calligraphic couplet: “Keep going, the futureis bright.”