The Life News Agency
August 8, 2023

Institute of Humanistic Buddhism (IHB), Sutra Repository is the advisory unit of Humanistic Buddhism Center, Philippines. In response to the Fo Guang Shan Philippines Head Abbess Venerable Yung Guang's invitation to facilitate Three Acts of Goodness (TAG) trainers’ seminar, Deputy Director Venerable Miao Guang of IHB appointed Ven. Zhi Sheng and Ven. Zhi Tong to give a series of lectures in the Philippines, between 27th and 31st of July 2023.

In collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) Sagay School Division, Humanistic Buddhism Center, Philippines sponsored 1,600 teachers from the 80 TAG schools across the whole Sagay to be trained in the whole-brain learning, self-mastery, and mindfulness of Humanistic Buddhism. Dr. Cecilia Manikan is the speaker to a 3-Day workshop for each batch of a hundred teachers. These topics are beneficial to develop teaching pedagogy, energy of being compassionate and holistic wellness.

Ven. Zhi Tong introduced Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s spirit of generous giving had touched young people, as shown in the universality of the three mountains of Fo Guang Shan, Sutra Repository, and Buddha Museum. photo／The Life News Agency

Ven. Zhi Sheng led a 30 min meditation session by elaborating the purpose of meditation and drawing awareness to be present in here and now. She explained that the importance of disciplining the body through all postures of sitting, walking, standing, and sleeping. From the physical body, the level of awareness improves to proceed to discipline the mind containing all feelings. Counting the breath becomes a way to align the physical body and the mental feelings.

Ven. Zhi Sheng led a 30 min meditation session by elaborating the purpose of meditation and drawing awareness to be present in here and now. photo／The Life News Agency

Ven. Zhi Sheng introduced Venerable Master Hsing Yun as an education benefactor who offered scholarships, focused on life education and built schools. His spirit of generous giving had touched young people, as shown in the universality of the three mountains of Fo Guang Shan, Sutra Repository, and Buddha Museum. As production committee, Ven. Zhi Sheng used two stories, “Let Go and Be Saved” and “Baby Monkey Waters Flowers,” from Bodhi Light Tales to reiterate the teaching of righteousness. She explained that the Eightfold Noble Path is the formula to end suffering, and a guideline in life. Ven. Zhi Tong explained the parallel of the Five Precepts in Buddhism and the Ten Commandments in Catholicism.

On 31st July, Ven. Zhi Sheng and Ven. Zhi Tong met twenty faculty and students at Guang Ming College (GMC) Tagaytay together with Education Superintendent Venerable Zhi Yi of Mabuhay Temple. photo／The Life News Agency

On 31st July, Ven. Zhi Sheng and Ven. Zhi Tong met twenty faculty and students at Guang Ming College (GMC) Tagaytay together with Education Superintendent Venerable Zhi Yi of Mabuhay Temple. They were pleased to know that Ralph Tampal and Wincy Ramilo had graduated from GMC and Nanhua University through Venerable Master Hsing Yun's scholarship, and now the assistant faculty of GMC.

They were pleased to know that Ralph Tampal and Wincy Ramilo had graduated from GMC and Nanhua University through Venerable Master Hsing Yun's scholarship, and now the assistant faculty of GMC. photo／The Life News Agency

The meeting was an intellectual exchange of academic initiatives and projects. Venerable Master Hsing Yun had founded GMC to be a performing arts and sports school based on the teaching and practice of Humanistic Buddhism. The meeting had staged and bridged the academic bond of Humanistic Buddhism between IHB and GMC. It also served to further devise Buddhist studies and practices artistically on the worldwide landscape of arts and sports. The academic affairs Director Prof. Katte Sabate has treasured the academic network of Humanistic Buddhism.