On March 28, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted a Cantonese Dharma talk titled “Symphony of Life — How to Change One’s Destiny” at the Buddha’s Light Center in Markham. The special guest speaker, Venerable Chueh Fa, Superintendent of Chung Mei Temple in Houston, USA, shared Buddhist wisdom with over 260 participants attending in person and online.

Venerable Chueh Fa guided the audience to reflect on the Buddhist teaching of causes, conditions, and effects. Using historical stories, real-life examples, and even the popular animated film Ne Zha II, she illustrated how everyone’s destiny is shaped by past karma — but not locked in forever.

Quoting the film’s famous line, “My fate is in my hands, not in heaven’s,” Venerable Chueh Fa encouraged everyone to take charge of their lives. She emphasized that change begins with transforming one’s mindset, cultivating positive habits, and practicing kindness in actions, speech, and thoughts. These efforts, she explained, gradually create good conditions that lead to a brighter and more fulfilling future.

“Don’t get caught up in chasing perfection,” she reminded the audience. “Instead, cultivate gratitude, cherish the present moment, and focus on planting good causes.”

Venerable Chueh Fa also highlighted the essence of Humanistic Buddhism, as taught by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan — applying Buddhist principles in everyday life and starting transformation from within.

The evening opened with welcome remarks from Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, and Mr. Glenn Chan, Board Member of the BLIA World Headquarters. Both expressed their heartfelt gratitude for Venerable Chueh Fa’s long-awaited return to Toronto after more than a decade, praising her warm, relatable, and inspiring teaching style.

To conclude the evening, Venerable Chueh Fa invited everyone to sing the uplifting Cantonese song “Life’s Melody”, sending participants home with joyful hearts and renewed inspiration to create their own symphony of life.