In view of visitors growing, there is an urgent need for new Temple Tour Guide volunteers. Seven participants completed the temple tour guide training and became members of the FGS Temple of Toronto TourGuide Team, including Tyrie Norris, Charoo Li, Jujenty Lim, Chanel Tsang, Debbie Dang, Libo Luo, and Sally Lai. All of them have taken two-weekend training in June and July. The training encompassed the introduction of Fo Guang Shan, the founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and the temple's various facilities. They also discuss the needs of visitors from different ethnic backgrounds and the potential questions they may have. The Advising Monastic,Venerable Ruan, also provided additional materials for them to self-study.  

On August 13th, all participants applied what they have learned and gave an in-person temple tour. Senior temple tour volunteers were invited to give evaluations and provided feedback. The well-prepared new members covered many topics, including the introduction of Fo Guang Shan,Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Main Shrine, Water Drop Tea House, the library, the Buddha’s Light book store, the Buddha's Cultural Museum, etc. 

The senior volunteers, Martyn Knowles, Scott Ferguson, Grace Listkowski, Jesse Chung, and Wilson, admired the skill and confidence of all new members. They also shared their experiences and reminded the new members of the importance of understanding the needs of the visitor. The key is to make visitors feel welcome and comfortable. Moreover, it is also important to prepare a mind that is willing to “give” and “open.”  

Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of FGS Temple of Toronto, welcomed all participants. She shared her experience of localization in the United States. She emphasized that the Temple Tour Team volunteer represents the monastery and is a bridge bringing local people to the temple to learn more about Buddhism. In addition, Venerable Chueh Fan demonstrated the chanting of the English version of “Taking Refuge In the Triple Gem” as well as the “Blia Four-Line Verse.” The melody touched everyone's heart and all of them requested a file for learning. In the end, the Abbess gave new members Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s book “Handing down the Light” and encouraged them to learn more about Humanistic Buddhism.

Translated by Irene Chai