On June 22^nd, Venerable Zhi Guan led a team of Fo Guang youths to the Brampton Local Author Showcase book fair. Building on the success of last year’s debut of Surmount, a magazine focused on spiritual care and mental wellbeing, FGS Toronto expanded this year’s showcase to include FGS Insight. A dedicated group of volunteers, active since the publications' establishment in 2022, has been tailoring Humanistic Buddhism to meet the needs and interests of Canadians.

Over 240 visitors stopped by the FGS Toronto booth to explore the Buddhism in Every Step series of booklets and other Temple promotional materials. The enthusiastic volunteers and well-designed display attracted considerable attention from book fair attendees. Volunteers strived to convey Buddhist insights and highlight the modern versatility of the Temple facilities. Visitors showed particular interest in the exhibitions at the Buddhist Cultural Museum and the vegetarian meals offered by the Temple.

FGS Toronto’s publications operate under the objective of "propagating Buddhist teachings through cultural activities." Surmount was inspired by the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on spiritual andmental well-being. Volume No. 2 explored “coexistence and interconnectedness” from a Humanistic Buddhist perspective, aiming to revive harmony and mutual trust in relationships. The editorial team sought to emphasize the importance of positive thinking in transcending the restraints of suffering and happiness. FGS Insight documents how the FGS community promotes Humanistic Buddhism both locally and globally. This newsletter encourages devotees to share reflections on their spiritual journeys as Buddhists, and its production is a cumulative effort of volunteers who exemplify the vibrant Buddhist way of life through their work.

The youth volunteers found the Brampton Local Author Showcase tobe a special experience. Interacting and holding dialogues with community members nourished their pride as Buddhists. Nida expressed that she “saw the impact of the publications on display as a platform for spreading Humanistic Buddhism.” Vera, Tiffany, and Daisy from Taiwan’s Fo Guang University were impressed by “the enthusiasm of Canadians towards reading.”

The Brampton Library filmed video footage of the booth to acknowledge FGS Toronto’s support and dedication to the Local Author Showcase program. “We saw the positive feedback from locals towards the publications on display. This exchange is an opportunity for Humanistic Buddhism to take root in the local community while contributing to localization efforts,” said Venerable Zhi Guan in an interview. Ms. Julia Huang suggested acquiring more FGS publications for their collections to bring a stream of purity to society at large. The youth volunteers hope to participate in future events to expose more people to the wisdom of Humanistic Buddhism.