March 16th, 2024 at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, Venerable Jue Cheng, the Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan's branch temples in Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Thailand, delivered an inspiring lecture with her profound insights on the global journey of Humanistic Buddhism. The event, hosted by the FGS Temple of Toronto in collaboration with the BLIA Toronto chapter, attracted over 300 attendees from Toronto and Detroit, both in-person and online. 

In the lecture titled "The Pioneer's Trail: Spreading Humanistic Buddhism Far and Wide," attendees were privileged to witness the culmination of Venerable Jue Cheng's extensive travels and experiences, which she eloquently shared to shed light on the transformative power of Humanistic Buddhism in various corners of the world.  

The event commenced with a warm welcome from Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Toronto, who expressed deep gratitude to Venerable Jue Cheng's dedication to sharing her wisdom, despite her demanding schedule, including participation in the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, resonated deeply with the audience. She particularly thanked Venerable Jue Cheng for bringing the precious photos from the Hope Village in India, highlighting the impact of education on the lives of the impoverished. 

During her lecture,Venerable Jue Cheng provided insights and explanations about the achievements and reactions from local communities to the efforts and projects undertaken by Fo Guang Shan and the BLIA (Buddha's Light International Association) in countries such as India, Indonesia, and Afghanistan. She discussed the positive outcomes, challenges faced, and the impact of these initiatives on the respective regions. 

Her narratives, enriched with personal anecdotes and touching videos, underscored the core mission of spreading and preserving Humanistic Buddhism in diverse cultural contexts. Drawing from the teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, Venerable Jue Cheng emphasized the importance of perseverance, self-awareness,and compassion in navigating life's challenges, such as in India, Indonesia, and Afghanistan, including the establishment of the Hope Village, and humanitarian relief efforts. Her insights, coupled with Venerable Master's guidance, provided attendees with invaluable tools for personal growth and societal contribution. 

In according with the Venerable Master's teachings, Venerable Jue Cheng spoke on the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity and the power of transformation throughself-awareness and compassion. Venerable Master Hsing Yun's advice on adoptinga mindset of "going with the flow" was particularly impactful when Venerable Jue Cheng was planning to launch the educational project in the Hope Village in India. She receives the Master's encouragement symbolized through 20 pieces of precious One Stroke Calligraphies "Buddha" from the Venerable Master.

A poignant highlightof the event was Venerable Jue Cheng's recounting of her visits to Pakistan, where she lauded localefforts in preserving Buddhist heritage. Through her experiences, she illustrated the profound impact of Buddhism in fostering hope and resilience amidst adversity.

In closing, Venerable Jue Cheng urged attendees to embody the teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and become beacons of Buddhism through love and compassion. Following the lecture,she engaged in a heart-to-heart session with the BLIA Young Adult Division, fostering connections with the younger generation. The event concluded with a shared dinner and singing, symbolizing unity and fellowship within the Buddhist community.

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