The Life News Agency
July 4, 2023

Fo Guang Shan (FGS) community from 12 Asian countries and islands of the Philippines rode in a convoy of 22 buses to Guang Ming College (GMC) on June 12, 2023.  There are about 1500 people witnessed the grand inauguration of the school, founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun (VMHY), to mark history for FGS and the Philippines.

BLIA members support education regardless of nationality and race. Since its establishment in 2014, every brick and tile is inseparable from the support of meritorious benefactors. photo／The Life News Agency

Most Venerable Hsin Bau, the Head Abbot of FGS, presided the ceremony. When the balloons that symbolized light and hope raising up the sky, the crowd chanted in unison, "Stand up and soar, the light is in sight." The scene was spectacular.

Most Venerable Hsin Bao, the abbot of FGS, presided over the inauguration ceremony in person. When the balloon symbolizing light and hope flew freely into the sky, the crowd chanted in unison, "Stand up and fly, the light is in sight." photo／The Life News Agency

At 1:00 p.m., before the ceremony, there was a live band performance from GMC students, followed by the students leading the community children's ballet troupe with an adorable performance.  At the beginning of the ceremony, everyone stood up and sang the "Philippine National Anthem" and "Ode to the Triple Gems"; followed by praying silently in memory of VMHY, the founder of GMC.

The mayor of Tagaytay, Hon. Abraham Tolentino, awarded The Highest Education Award to the FGS Consortium University founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, which was accepted by The Most Venerable Hsin Bao. photo／The Life News Agency

“Thank you for the light you have brought!" Dr Michael Lim Tan, President of GMC, said in his welcome speech, to thank VMHY the founder and everyone for coming. The successful completion of GMC is supported by countless people. “If there is Buddha Dharma, there is a Way” indeed.  Tagaytay was raining for several days due to typhoon, but the sun came out on the day of the event, the presence of Fo Guang members brought infinite light to GMC. I believe that the future will be even brighter!

Guang Ming College President, Dr. Michael Lim Tan, delivered a welcome speech, thanking everyone for coming. photo／The Life News Agency

When Most Venerable Hsin Bau delivered a speech, the venue was full of people showing the unity of FGS community and guests for the completion of GMC. We see the wisdom of VMHY, by the power of education that breaks through tradition and integrates art and sports with the essence of Buddhism. Humanistic Buddhism is made easier for people to accept. Running a university is a long-term plan. It cannot be separated from the long-term support of the public and the harmony of all conditions and affinities. We need compassion and wisdom. If Everyone have the Dharma, the future is brighter and more hopeful.

Most Ven. Hsin Bao, the BLIA World Headquarters President said that VMHY integrates art and sports into education. photo／The Life News Agency

World BLIA Headquarters Acting President, Most Venerable Tzu Jung said that Buddha Light International Association (BLIA) was established for more than 30 years. Every time a major international event is held, various countries strive for the opportunity to host it. The Philippines waited for 10 years, and finally it is here! Since the founding of the  FGS and BLIA, the first thing our VMHY would do was to provide education. Although he had no academic qualifications, he received 32 honorary doctorate degrees from around the world. The Humanistic Buddhism of VMHY is to wish everyone gain wisdom, and apply the Dharma in daily life. He has a long-term vision especially for young people. VMHY's compassionate spirit and great vows are worthy of us to emulate.

Ven. Tzu Jung, The BLIA World Headquarters Acting President claimed that the establishment of the BLIA is to provide education. photo／The Life News Agency

Honorable Zhou Ming An, consular representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines remarked that the completion of the new building of GMC has created a new milestone for FGS. Venerable Master advocates life education that transcends religions race and culture with compassion and wisdom. In the future, the young people will join you to protect FGS, so that the spirit of Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings can continue to flourish.

Zhou Mingan, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, congratulated for the completion of GMC new building, which has created a new milestone for FGS. photo／The Life News Agency

“Fo Guang members support education regardless of you and me. Since its establishment in 2014, every brick and tile are inseparable from the support of meritorious benefactors.  Most Venerable Hsin Bau presented gifts to thank all meritorious benefactors for their untiring support.

“Because of you, the future of GMC is bright!" said Yang Chaoxiang, President of FGS University Consortium, in his speech, thanking the public for their support, and GMC was successfully completed. Lin Cong Ming, President of Nan Hua University, said that GMC has made remarkable achievements in many aspects since its establishment, especially the promotion of the Three Acts of Goodness, and life education, often going deep into mountains and remote areas, bringing a lot of warmth, and touching the lives of people.
Yang Chao-hsiang, The President of Fo Guang Shan University Consortium thanking the community for their support, and GMC was successfully completed. photo／The Life News Agency

“We are so honored to partner with GMC in promoting the Three Acts of Goodness”, Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino said. He presented the Highest Distinction Award for Education to VMHY which was received by Venerable Hsin Bao. Ven Hsin Bao also gifted all distinguished guests the One-Stroke Calligraphy of VMHY for them to appreciate the beauty of Humanistic Buddhism.

GMC established the basketball team and has joined several national sports fests which gained recognition, Coach Bo Perasol showed the “Southern Luzon Championship” trophy amid the thunderous applause of everyone. Thank you to VMHY, we are proud of FGS. Propagating dharma through sports, let Buddha’s Light shine all over, let dharma flow through the five continents. The attendees who speak different languages, cheered “Guang Ming, jia you, Guang Ming, jia you”. Fly high and soar, the future is bright!

At the end, Cuerdas and Ritmo band played “Ode to the Master” and “Sound of Buddhist Youth”.  Once again thanked VMHY, FGS, and Fo Guang people around the world. We wish that the star of the future-Asia’s College of Performing Arts-Guang Ming College will propagate Humanistic Buddhism through arts and sports and reach new heights and create a miracle in education.

The students of GMC decorate and prepare famous Filipino snack bar to the welcoming guests. photo／The Life News Agency

For the Fo Guang Members who came to GMC for the first time toured the campus, classrooms, dining hall, and sports arena can feel the great vows of VMHY. The Filipino snacks preparation in booths made every one enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of Filipinos.

One of the founding Presidents of the Consortium University of FGS, who is The President of Nan Hua University, Dr. Tsong-Ming Lin praised GMC has made remarkable achievements in many aspects, especially the promotion of TAG. photo／The Life News Agency

Special guests were FGS, Philippines Head Abbess, Ven. Yung Guang;  BLIA World Headquarters VP, Liu Chao-Ming; BLIA World Headquarters Director Ven. Yi Kung;  Secretary General Venerable Chueh Pei, North-East Asia Vice Secretary General, Venerable Yi Lai; Europe Vice Secretary General, Venerable Man Chien; Hongkong and Macao Head Abbess, Venerable Yung Fu; Director Dr Michael Lao; Director Wu Jin Shan; Director Chen Yong An; North-East Asia Fellowship Committee Director, Qiu Mei-Yan; Southeast Asia Fellowship Committee Deputy Director, Lin Wen Kai; Fo Guang University President, He Zhao Fei, benefactors and the construction team.