The Life News Agency
June 19, 2023

On the morning of May 28th, 2023, a special event unfolded at the FGS Temple of Toronto, in a collaborative effort with BLIA Toronto. This event featured Venerable Miao Hsi, the Chief Executive Director of Buddha's Light Publications, who delivered a Cantonese Dharma talk on the topic of "Aspiration and Vow in Humanistic Buddhism - A Brief Talk on An Inspiration to Give Rise to the Bodhi Mind." Over a hundred individuals gathered at the temple for this insightful Dharma talk.

Venerable Miao Hsi delivered a Cantonese Dharma talk. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of FGS Temple of Toronto, extended her gratitude to Venerable Miao Hsi for graciously visiting Toronto after the pandemic and delivering teachings in the familiar and welcoming Cantonese language. This momentous occasion marked the first time in this temple's history that a Dharma lecture was given in Cantonese. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as everyone awaited the profound teachings that were about to be presented.

Venerable Chueh Fan extended her gratitude to Venerable Miao Hsi for graciously visiting Toronto after the pandemic and delivering teachings in the familiar and welcoming Cantonese language. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Miao Hsi commenced the session by introducing the life and accomplishments of Master Xing'an, the 11th patriarch of the Chinese Pure Land school, who composed the "An Inspiration to Give Rise to the Bodhi Mind." This preliminary exposition aimed to foster a comprehensive understanding among the audience regarding Master Xing'an's Buddhist attainment and reflective insights.

Venerable Miao Hsi skillfully deconstructed "An Inspiration to Give Rise to the Bodhi Mind," revealing that "Bodhi" symbolizes the Bodhisattva who earnestly seeks the Buddha Way and compassionately aspires to liberate all sentient beings. In support of her exposition, she also cited passages from "Hear Me Out - My Aspiration and Vow," written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan. Drawing from her personal experiences as an interpreter during her time accompanying Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and through observing the Venerable Master's words, deeds, and stories, she further expounded upon the profound significance of the following statement: "The main gate for entering the path is first to give rise to a Bodhi mind; among the urgent tasks of cultivation, the foremost is to make a vow."

Throughout her presentation, Venerable Miao Hsi placed significant emphasis on the inherent connection between the cultivation of the Bodhi Mind and the principles of Humanistic Buddhism. In line with Venerable Master Hsing Yun's teachings, Venerable Miao Hsi encouraged those on the Bodhisattva path to understand the significance of "Seeking the Buddha Way above" as a traditional mode of cultivation, but she emphasized that the true essence of the humanistic practice lies in "Liberating all sentient beings below." She reiterated the importance of learning from the Venerable Master's spirit of "Giving" and to "Never go back on our promises." She encouraged the audience to constantly give rise to the Bodhi Mind and make vows rooted in the present.

Kim Chan, the Vice President of BLIA Toronto Chapter, conveyed gratitude on behalf of all attendees for Venerable Miao Hsi's compassionate teachings. She expressed unwavering confidence that those who had the privilege of listening would not allow the Venerable Master's aspirations to remain unfulfilled and would stay committed to their original intentions despite the challenges posed by COVID. She encouraged the attendees to continue their support for Fo Guang Shan and the practice of Humanistic Buddhism.

Over a hundred individuals gathered at FGS Temple of Toronto for the insightful Dharma talk. photo／The Life News Agency