FGS Insight Newsletter

A Year of Mutual Growth and Prosperity: FGS Toronto Thanks Dharma Protectors

On December 29, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto held the “Dharma Protector Dedication of Merits Service,” welcoming over 200 participants in-person and online. The event honored the dedication and unwavering support of Dharma protectors, whose contributions have been instrumental in advancing the temple’s mission throughout the year.

Talent Sharing Event Celebrates Education and Culture at FGS Toronto Markham Center

On December 28, the Markham Campus of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto Humanistic Buddhist Courses hosted a vibrant Talent Sharing Event, bringing together over 100 participants, including students, instructors, and families. The event featured performances by the Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Health Dance, Yoga, and Guzheng classes, highlighting the strong sense of community at the learning center. Special guests included Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto; Venerable Ru An, Social Education Director; and Ms. Betty Young, Coordinator of the Markham Social Education Group.

Fo Guang Shan Toronto Hosts One-Day Meditation Retreat for Renewal and Inner Peace

On December 26, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted a one-day meditation retreat, drawing 40 participants from different walks of life. The retreat provided an opportunity for reflection and renewal, offering participants a day dedicated to spiritual cultivation and mindfulness.

Toronto Fo Guang Community Engages in Year-End Cleaning with Joy and Gratitude

On the afternoon of December 22, 2024, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted its annual “Year-End Cleaning Day.” Led by Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan, the event brought together monastics and more than 250 volunteers for a meaningful day of service. Volunteers, divided into 16 teams, worked together to clean the temple’s four floors, including the Main Shrine, corridors, Tea House, Buddha’s Cultural Museum, Dining Hall, Conference Room, Meditation Hall, and washrooms. Thanks to their teamwork and dedication, the temple was thoroughly cleaned in just 3.5 hours, leaving it spotless and ready to welcome the New Year with a refreshed and dignified atmosphere.

BLIA Toronto English Subchapter Toy Drive Spreading Joy to the Community

As the year-end festivities approached, the English Subchapter of the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Toronto Chapter organized a heartwarming toy drive for the first time. With the generous support of the Fo Guang community, nearly 150 brand-new toys were collected and donated to the "Miracle on Main Street" toy drive, a project hosted by Peel Regional Police and the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation. This initiative aimed to deliver warmth and care to underprivileged families, embodying the spirit of "giving joy" espoused by Fo Guang practitioners.

Piano Donation Ceremony Honors Jennifer Li’s Legacy of Dharma through Music

On December 1st, 2024, following the Light Offering Dharma Service, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple of Toronto hosted a Piano Donation Ceremony to honor the late Jennifer Lee, the former conductor of the Toronto Buddha’s Light Choir. Jennifer’s family, including her mother, traveled from Taiwan to attend the ceremony. The donation was received on behalf of the temple by Venerable Ru Zhong, the Temple Superintendent, in the presence of the Toronto Buddha’s Light Choir and 150 devotees.

Temple News

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BLIA Toronto AGM and Volunteer Gathering: Celebrating Dharma Joy and the Legacy of the Bodhisattva Way

The Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Toronto Chapter held its 2024 Annual General Meeting and Year-End Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on January 18, 2025, at the Mandarin Restaurant Banquet Hall in Brampton. Nearly 600 members and their families gathered to celebrate a year of dedication and achievements, fostering Dharma joy and reaffirming their commitment to the Bodhisattva spirit of service. Distinguished guests included Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto; Mabel Lam, President of the BLIA Toronto Chapter; Professor Zimei Deng, a renowned researcher at the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, as well as Dr. Jizhang Yi from the University of Toronto.

"Keep Going, the Future is Bright" Fo Guang Shan Toronto Announce Lunar New Year Festivities

On January 15, 2025, Fo Guang Shan Temple ofToronto and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Toronto Chapter held a press conference to announce their Lunar New Year celebrations, themed "Keep Going, the Future is Bright." This year’s events aim to inspire hope and unity as the community welcomes the Year of the Snake. Beginning January 26, the festivities will feature prayer ceremonies, cultural performances, interactive experiences, and specialty booths blending tradition with innovation.

Fo Guang Shan Toronto Recognizes Outstanding Practitioners at 2024 "Practicing the Buddha’s Way" Awards

On January 12, 2025, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted the "2024 Practicing the Buddha’s Way" Awards Ceremony, following the Completion of the 2024 Light Offering Dharma Service. The event recognized 18 outstanding students for their dedication to studying and applying the Dharma in daily life. Venerable Chueh Fan presented certificates of recognition and "Little Novice Monk" photo frames, symbolizing the value of “staying true to one’s original aspirations,” to the awardees, praising their dedication to Buddhist learning and practice.

Fo Guang Shan Toronto Brings Warmth and Joy to International Students with Year-End Reunion

To provide a sense of home and comfort to international students away from their families during Lunar New Year while introducing Buddhist values, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted the 2024 Year-End Reunion for International Students on January 11. The event brought together 88 students from universities such as the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, Western University, and the University of Guelph for a festive evening filled with cultural experiences and Humanistic Buddhist teachings.

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto Celebrates Dharma Day Through Education and Culture

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto commemorated the Buddha's enlightenment on January 5 with a vibrant series of Dharma Day celebration activities. These included the "Celebration of Dharma Day Service," the "Buddha’s Light Young Adult Award Ceremony," the "Good Affinity Little Novice Program," and the offering and sharing of Laba Porridge. Over 1,200 people attended throughout the day, celebrating the Buddha’s enlightenment with gratitude and joy.