Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
July 18, 2023

The "2023 BLIA North America Fellowship Meeting" commenced on July 14th in Los Angeles and lasted for three days. This year's event was organized by the Buddha's Light International Association World Headquarters (BLIA World Headquarters), and institutes-in-charge are Nevada and Los Angeles chapters. Nearly 700 BLIA members from 26 chapters participated in the meeting. The participants deepened their bonds and encouraged one another based on the compassionate aspirations of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan. They also made a commitment to gather in Texas in 2025.

During the opening ceremony, Most Venerable Hsin Bau, the President of BLIA World Headquarters, expressed that this year's Fellowship Meeting focuses on expressing gratitude to Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and enhancing the bonds among Fo Guang members. He also acknowledged the contributions made by Fo Guang members in practicing the Three Acts of Goodness and the Four Givings, as well as their efforts in promoting world peace. Most Venerable Hsin Bau delivered a keynote speech with the theme "Perceiving the arising and ceasing of the world," urging Fo Guang members to contemplate the reality of life through the twelve links of dependent origination and elevate their lives while facing the impermanence of all phenomena.

Most Venerable Hsin Bau delivered a keynote speech with the theme "Perceiving the arising and ceasing of the world." photo／The Life News Agency

Most Venerable Hsin Ting, the Director of BLIA World Headquarters, used his calligraphy, which means, "Fo Guang Shan propagate Dharma to the west, diligently planting the seeds of Bodhi. After the Buddhists' strive, the Dharma is spreading everywhere." Most Venerable Hsin Ting offers blessings for the successful holding of the Fellowship Meeting.

Most Venerable Hsin Ting encouraged Fo Guang embers to remain their six faculties unaffected by sense objects in their lives. photo／The Life News Agency

Most Venerable Hsin Ting pointed out in his keynote speech that the Buddha, during meditation, observed the twelve links of dependent origination through the "Cessation." He encouraged Fo Guang members to remain their six faculties unaffected by sense objects in their lives, diligently practice the Noble Eightfold Path, and cultivate wisdom.

Hawa Diallo, Chief of the Civil Society Unit at the Civil Society and Advocacy Section, UN Department of Global Communications, stated that BLIA officially became a member of the United Nations Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in 2003. BLIA is an indispensable and valuable partner in promoting the well-being of all people alongside the United Nations. Diallo emphasized the significance of BLIA and expressed great anticipation for future collaboration.

Hawa Diallo(left), Chief of the Civil Society Unit at the Civil Society and Advocacy Section, UN Department of Global Communications emphasized the significance of BLIA. photo／The Life News Agency

Among the guests attending this Fellowship Meeting were Anabel Cuevas, representing U.S. Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Bob Archuleta, California State Senator, Allen Wu, Mayor of Walnut, California, and John Wu, Vice Mayor of San Gabriel, California. During their speeches, these guests recognized the contributions of BLIA to society and presented certificates of appreciation.

The honored guests gave speeches during the opening ceremony. photo／The Life News Agency

The honored guests recognized the contributions of BLIA to society and presented certificates of appreciation. photo／The Life News Agency

The Fellowship Meeting also hosted a forum with the theme "Remembering and Commemorating Venerable Master Hsing Yun." Venerable Hui Dong, BLIA HQ Vice Secretary General America West, served as the moderator and invited four speakers to share the impact Venerable Master Hsing Yun had on them and express their aspirations to carry on Venerable Master Hsing Yun's spirit.

Venerable Hui Dong(left) invited four speakers to share the impact Venerable Master Hsing Yun had on them. photo／The Life News Agency

Another forum focused on the report on reading "The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun," with Venerable Yong Gu, BLIA HQ Vice Secretary General America East, as the moderator. Venerable Yong Gu mentioned that "The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun" consists of 395 volumes and was written for everyone. Venerable Yong Gu expressed the hope that everyone could appreciate Venerable Master Hsing Yun's aspirations and understand the true meaning of these works. The four speakers shared their inspirations gained from reading Venerable Master Hsing Yun's works.

In the event "Night of Buddha's Light: Praise for Venerable Master Hsing Yun," Fo Guang members from various chapters came together to sing "Sounds of the Human World" and recite poems as a way to commemorate Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The highlight of this event was a joint performance by North American venerables, singing "Sangha as the Path." To everyone's surprise, Most Venerable Hsin Ting took the stage to chant verses by the Sixth Patriarch and other Buddhist songs. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause and requested an encore.

Hsi Lai choir performed at the event "Night of Buddha's Light: Praise for Venerable Master Hsing Yun." photo／The Life News Agency

Venerables singing "Sangha as the Path." photo／The Life News Agency

The Fellowship Meeting also featured the screening of "Starlight and Clouds Illuminate North America," which guided Fo Guang members to follow in the footsteps of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's propagation efforts. Through the film, participants virtually visited nearly 30 Fo Guang Shan temples and centers in North America.

During the Fellowship Meeting, three designated photo areas were set up for participants to take memorable photos. Additionally, a cloud-based photo wall was created, allowing Fo Guang members to upload their photos in real-time, which were then displayed synchronously at the venue. Members could see each other's smiling faces, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere.

On the 16th, Hsi Lai Temple (I.B.P.S.) held the Ullambana Offering to the Sangha Dharma Service, where a hundred venerables received offerings. This provided an opportunity for the devotees in North America to make offerings to the venerables of Fo Guang Shan temples and centers.

The honored guests attending the Fellowship Meeting included Venerable Miao Xi, Chairperson of the International Development Committee of BLIA World Headquarters; Chen Ju, Chief Financial Officer of BLIA World Headquarters; Lydia Chao, Director of BLIA World Headquarters; Wang Jia Pei, Director of BLIA World Headquarters; Zhao Yuan Xiu, representative of Yixing Da Jue Temple, the ancestral temple of Fo Guang Shan; He Mei Bau, Chairperson of the United Nations Affairs Committee of BLIA World Headquarters; Wang Ke Qian, Chairperson of the Western United States Liaison Committee; Li Xing Ling, Vice Chairperson of the Eastern United States Liaison Committee; and Minh-Hoa Ta, President of University of the West.

The next BLIA North America Fellowship Meeting is scheduled to be held in 2025, and institutes-in-charge are Dallas Chapter, Houston Chapter, and Austin Chapter in Texas. At the closing ceremony of this year's event, members of these chapters, dressed in cowboy attire, performed a dance and declared, "We are ready!" making a collective pledge to meet again at the next meeting.

Members of Dallas, Houston, and Austin chapters making a collective pledge to meet again at the next meeting. photo／The Life News Agency