On September 28-29, the 35th annual Word on The Street Toronto, Canada’s largest free street book festival, took place at Queen's Park in downtown Toronto. Among the many participants, FoGuang Shan Temple of Toronto, along with volunteers from the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) English Subchapter, presented the teachings of Humanistic Buddhism. Led by Wilson Yau, the localization team leader, the group showcased books authored by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, published by American Buddha’s Light Publications.

Venerables Zhi Guan and Ru Sing, together with the English Subchapter members, engaged with festival-goers, introducing the core principles of Humanistic Buddhism and distributing booklets to visitors. The booth offered an interactive space for attendees to explore Buddhism while browsing Venerable Master Hsing Yun's works, including the English translation of The Biography of Shakyamuni Buddha and meditation materials.

This year’s participation marked over two decades of involvement by Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto in Word on The Street, a community event featuring over 100 publishers, libraries,and arts organizations that promote public engagement in reading and support for local authors.

The highlight of the booth’s activities occurred on September 29, when Venerables Zhi Guan and Ru Sing answered visitors' questions about Buddhist teachings and provided guidance on leading a fulfilling life. One young visitor from South Korea expressed interest in visiting the temple to deepen his understanding of Buddhism, while others sought advice on spiritual practices and showed interest in the temple’s various offerings.

The volunteers found the experience rewarding, particularly in reaching a broader audience outside the temple. Inspired by the positive response, they expressed a desire to include more interactive elements in future events to further engage the public and spark curiosity about Buddhism.