The Merit Times
July 17, 2023

On July 2nd, Five students from Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University, Kaohsiung led by Venerable Zong Ren embarked on a one-month overseas teaching journey to the Philippines. The Philippines is one of the four countries chosen for the overseas internship program this year, whereas the other countries being Europe, Malaysia, and Japan. The aim is to broaden their perspectives, as well as to understand the internationalization and localization of  Dharma propagation by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

Venerable Yung Guang,  Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Philippines, encouraged the students to discover the spirit of the Venerable Master  by following  his footsteps  and observing how Buddhism is developing in the Philippines. She even encouraged them to propose innovative ideas and activities.

Venerable Miao Jing, Abbess of Mabuhay Temple, shared  the strategies employed during the pandemic in continuing to propagate the Dharma, to ensure uninterrupted education at Guang Ming College through the  donation of  laptops to transition to online classes and to provide essential supplies and food for healthcare workers and patrol teams. Furthermore,  devotees were encouraged to integrate Humanistic Buddhism into their daily lives by practicing what the Buddha taught, what human beings need,  that which purifies, is virtuous and beautiful to emphasize the importance of grounding oneself in faith and caring with compassion.

Venerable Jue Lin, reflecting on her own experience of facing life-threatening brain surgery, expressed that she carries faith in her heart and relies on the discernment of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas in all matters. She also mentioned that during the construction of  Guang Ming College, each day began and ended with prayer for blessings and dedications. There were eleven online study groups  during the pandemic, allowing devotees to engage in discussions and exchange ideas, and cultivate  discipline and demeanor  through meditation and reading while staying at home.

Venerable Jue Lin, reflecting on her own experience of facing life-threatening brain surgery, expressed that she carries faith in her heart and relies on the discernment of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas in all matters. photo／The Life News Agency

Superintendent of Mabuhay Temple Dharma Affairs, Venerable Rú Liàng, shared that with a sincere heart, one will know how to offer the best to the devotees. During the pandemic, she created videos of sky lanterns for blessing. When entrusted with responsibilities in various tasks, do not be calculative. She emphasized the importance of learning by doing  and the accumulation of both affinities and wisdom by engaging in activities.

Superintendent of Mabuhay Temple Dharma Affairs, Venerable Rú Liàng, shared that with a sincere heart, one will know how to offer the best to the devotees. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Chueh Tzu reminded everyone to observe one’s mind and constantly cultivate compassion in order to transcend the limitations of external circumstances and not be swayed by them. She emphasized that Buddhism is inseparable from everyday life, just like every song in the Sound of the Human World that manifests the virtues of the Three Acts of Goodness and the Four Givings.

Venerable Chueh Tzu reminded everyone to observe one’s mind and constantly cultivate compassion in order to transcend the limitations of external circumstances and not be swayed by them. photo／The Life News Agency

Students from Tsung Lin University expressed that their stay in the Philippines both in the temple and work places have been enriching.  They are moved by the footprints in the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism in the diverse cultural setting of the Philippines, learning how to let the people accept  the Dharma  and guide more individuals  through  music, culture, art, charity, and group cultivation activities.

Students from Tsung Lin University expressed that their stay in the Philippines both in the temple and work places have been enriching. photo／The Life News Agency

They have witnessed Venerable Master Hsing Yun's peaceful and joyful presence across the five continents through the localization and integration of Buddhism into daily life of  the masses.

The aim is to broaden their perspectives, as well as to understand the internationalization and localization of  Dharma propagation by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.