FGS Insight Newsletter

“Faith, Vow, Action!” – Children Dharma Class Fall Program Kickoff

On October 2nd, 2022, returning and new students gathered at FGS Temple of Toronto to launch our first in-person semester which had been interrupted due to the global pandemic. We expanded our invitations to accommodate students from around the Markham Buddha’s LightCentre.

2022 BLIA Virtual 4th Meeting of the Seventh Board of Directors Opening Ceremony

On Oct 1st, the 2022 BLIA Virtual 4th Meeting of the Seventh Board of Directors Opening Ceremony was held globally across multiple continents, and more than ten thousand members worldwide participated online. The meeting celebrated the 30th anniversary of BLIA, which was established in Los Angeles in 1992. The virtual event featured VFairs where members can visit seven online galleries which host BLIA exhibitions such as art, music, etc.

Promoting Well-being and Social Harmony in the Community

On Saturday, September 24th, the cultural experience known as the 2022 Community Crime Awareness Day (CCAD) took place at the Mississauga Celebration Square for the first time since the covid interruption started in 2019. Special guests included representatives from the government: Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga; Hazel McCallion, former Mississauga mayor and representatives from the Peel Regional Police Department and Fire Department. Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, and Mabel Lam, the president of BLIA Toronto, were invited to attend the event on behalf of the temple, acting as the opening ceremony guests for the ribbon-cutting and lion dance event.

FGS Toronto – Young Adult Temple Retreat

To engage youth to learn about Buddhism, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto held a youth temple retreat from September 23rd to 25th. A total of 14 young adults participated.The opening ceremony was held on the evening of September 23rd. The Abbess,Venerable Chueh Fan, participated with all other Venerables and encouraged all attendees to experience life at the monastery, raise positive energy, comprehend, apply Dharma in their lives, and reduce their negative energy. Fo Guang Shan (FGS) was founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and Master has a strong focus on youth. The learning of Buddhism is to experience the Dharma inwardly and learn how to make oneself happier.

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto Chinese School 2022-2023 Opening Ceremony

On the morning of September 11th, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto Chinese School held the first in-person Opening Ceremony in over two years. Over 80 students, parents and staff attended the event. The students were excited to return to the temple to Chinese language classes and to experience Chinese culture.

Buddhist Wedding Ceremony for BLIA YAD Member

Bonnie Poon, a Toronto BLIA-YAD member, and William Deng were married at the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto. They invited Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of the Temple, to be their wedding officiant.

Temple News

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Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University Overseas Exchange Tour Visits Renowned Universities in Toronto

From July 10 to 11, 2023, Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, and Venerable Zhi Guan led a delegation of students and teachers from Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University, along with three students from Fo Guang University, to visit prominent educational institutions in the Toronto area for academic exchanges. The purpose of this visit was to broaden the international views of students and share the concepts of Humanistic Buddhism with scholars.

Pure Mind is the Pure Land Tea Meditation at the Toronto Markham Centre

On July 9th, Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, led the teachers and students from the Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University to host a tea and meditation event at the Buddha’s Light Center in Markham. Under the guidance of Venerable Zhi Nian, the teacher of the Tsung Lin University English Buddhist Department, the group of seven facilitated a "Tea and Ch’an are of One Taste" session. Nearly 60 devotees participated, engaging in the experience, sharing insights on Dharma, discussing the principles of Humanistic Buddhism, and emphasizing the importance of monastic education.

Empowering Youth with Humanistic Buddhism: Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto Concludes First English Youth Temple Retreat

On July 7, the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto has successfully concluded its inaugural English Youth Temple Retreat, a transformative three-day, two-night event that welcomed 32 young participants. The retreat culminated in a closing ceremony and the "Sound of Chan and Joy of Dharma" event held in the temple's outdoor Chan garden, drawing nearly 120 attendees, including members of the Buddha’s Light Choir and devotees, eager to celebrate the youths' growth and achievements.

Toronto Buddha’s Light Choir Spreads Joy and Harmony Through Music

On July 6th, the Buddha’s Light Choir of Toronto performed at the Overseas Chinese Culture and Art Festival, held at the Living Arts Centre, the largest opera house in Mississauga. Their performance, featuring songs from "Sounds of the Human World," aimed to spread joy and harmony and to foster friendships through music. Fourteen choirs with nearly 400 members from the Greater Toronto Area, including Hamilton, Guelph, Halton, and Mississauga, delivered outstanding performances.

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto Celebrates Canada Day with Prayer and Meditation

On July 1st, the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted a special "Canada Day Prayer and Meditation" event to mark Canada Day. This event, inspired by the principle of "localization of temples" advocated by founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun, aimed to bless the people of Canada, provide spiritual tranquillity, and uplift participants' aspirations.