The Life News Agency
May 26, 2023

On May 16th, also known as Buddha's Light Day, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple of Toronto launched a series of commemorative events and activities for remembering the late founder of FGS, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Specifically, The Compassionate Life of Venerable Master Hsing Yun ~ A Humanistic Buddhism Practitioner Memorial Exhibition was officially opened to the public. In the evening, a global Sutra transcription cultivation was held in the Main Shrine to mark the 57th anniversary of the establishment of FGS Monastery. Both the Venerables and the lay congregation solemnly gathered to recite and transcribe the Heart Sutra as a tribute to Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s legacy.

In Toronto, the Abbess, Venerable Chueh Fan, led 133 devotees in attendance to listen attentively to the explanation of the procedures of the Global Live Sutra Transcription Cultivation broadcast from the FGS Headquarters. With sincere and purifying minds, the masses saw clips of Dharma lectures from the late Venerable Master before the Sutra transcription began.

The member of BLIA Toronto and devotees listen attentively to the explanation of the procedures of the Global Live Sutra Transcription Cultivation broadcast. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Chueh Fan expressed appreciation to the devotees who spent their evening driving and partaking in the Sutra transcription. She hoped that the Temple community, through the Memorial Exhibition, would gain deeper insights into the Venerable Master's lifelong work of propagating Humanistic Buddhism. Breaking down the Venerable Master's life into ten chapters allowed people to see and emulate the wisdom, compassion, and vows that so defined FGS's late founder.

Venerable Chueh Fan led the congregation to practice Sutra transcrition. photo／The Life News Agency

Young adult participants shared how Sutra transcriptions connect to their life experiences. Ivy Li said that whenever she encountered troubles in life, she would sincerely recite the Heart Sutra; and, somehow the negative thoughts in her mind would resolve naturally. She truly felt calm and peaceful during her first experience of practicing the Sutra transcription. Owen Deng, a PhD candidate at York University expressed how participation in the Global Sutra Transcription felt especially extraordinary. He dedicated the merits from this Buddhist cultivation to the masses wholeheartedly.

Participants transcripted the Sutra. photo／The Life News Agency