Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
August 31, 2023

On June 27, officials of Cotia, Sao Paulo, Brazil approved the naming of an important 2-kilometer road beside I.B.P.S. Do Brasil as "Rua Venerável Mestre Hsing Yun" (Venerable Master Hsing Yun Road) to commemorate the contributions of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, to Brazil.

On August 26th, I.B.P.S. Do Brasil held a tree planting event on "Rua Venerável Mestre Hsing Yun." Apart from commemorating Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the event also aimed to beautify the environment and contribute to soil and water conservation.

At ten o'clock on that day, Venerable Miao You, the Abbess of I.B.P.S. Do Brasil, along with over ten venerables from various South American countries, Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Brazil President Xu Yonglong, and several chapter presidents, led Fo Guang members in planting trees together.

Participants happily plabt the trees. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Miao You delivered a speech expressing gratitude for the contributions of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, to Brazil. She thanked the BLIA Brazil for donating 50 tabebuia tree seedlings and also appreciated the Cotia City Environmental Department for transforming the "Rua Venerável Mestre Hsing Yun" into a beautiful asphalt road. They had thoughtfully prepared the tree planting site by digging holes and adding fertilizer, which simplified the tree planting process.

Venerable Miao You(2nd from right) appreciated the Cotia City Environmental Department for transforming the "Rua Venerável Mestre Hsing Yun" into a beautiful asphalt road. photo／The Life News Agency

Soon after, Chairperson of the South America Fellowship and Adviser of BLIA Brazil, Si Biyao, BLIA Brazil Supervisor Shi Xiaoyun, as well as the presidents of various sub-chapters, including Huang Lingling, Li Qiongyu, Huang Huiqing, and Pio Santana, the Project Director of the Cotia City Environmental Department, worked together to plant tabebuia trees in alternating red and white patterns and watered them.

Participants plant tabebuia trees in alternating red and white patterns and watered them. photo／The Life News Agency

Around 10:40 AM, everyone joyfully completed the tree planting work for the "Rua Venerável Mestre Hsing Yun."