The new Director-General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Toronto), Ms. Jin-Ling Chen, visited Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto alongside the Director of Overseas Community Affairs Council, Republic of China (Taiwan), Mr. Sun and Overseas Community Affairs Advisory Committee Member, Mr. You, on the morning of September 17. The Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, Venerable Chueh Fan, and Superintendent, Venerable Miao Mu, together with Vice President of BLIA Toronto, Ms. Rachel Fan gave the guests a warm welcome. 

Ms. Chen was the very first government official to visit the Temple ever since the pandemic started in 2020. The Abbess presented gift with Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s 2021 wish “Cultivate a heart that blooms in all seasons” and a book set of “Master Hsing Yun and His Disciples” to Ms. Chen. The Venerables introduced the history of the Temple and the services provided to the community. The Venerables also mentioned that even during the pandemic, the Temple continued to lead BLIA members and Fo Guang Shan followers in learning the Dharma and practiced diligently through various online platforms. The Venerables also stated how BLIA members supporting the community through sponsoring medical equipment, setting up an anti-pandemic fund, providing face masks and meals to local hospitals and communities in Toronto.

Ms. Chen said that she had served in Honolulu, Malaysia and Vietnam in the past and had developed deep affinities with the local Fo Guang Shan Temples. She is aware of the contributions of Fo Guang Shan to the local members, and the importance of Fo Guang Shan temples as spiritual and cultural dependence for Buddhists. She stated that she was very impressed with how well Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, BLIA-Toronto and the Toronto community interacted with each other. Lastly, Ms. Chen thanked Fo Guang Shan for the continuous help and support provided to the overseas Chinese affairs.

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