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

The Fo Guang Shan vihara "Fo Guang Shan du Congo" is located in Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, Africa. The venerables and followers at this vihara are all Congolese, with a few Chinese coming to offer incense on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar calendar. Fo Guang Shan du Congo is currently implementing the concept of "localization of temples" proposed by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan.

Venerable Hui Che, originally from the Republic of the Congo, graduated from Fo Guang Shan FGS Tsung-Lin University in 2016. Afterward, Venerable Hui Che went to South Africa for propagating the Dharma. During a visit back to Pointe-Noire to handle passport issues, Venerable Hui Che noticed the urgent need for Dharma propagation in the Congo. Thus, he made a vow to stay and took on the responsibility of running the temple, handling all its affairs on his own.

In 2022, another Congolese venerable, Venerable Hui Jian, joined Fo Guang Shan du Congo to propagate Dharma, becoming a partner to Venerable Hui Che.

Five years ago, two young brothers approached Fo Guang Shan du Congo expressing their desire to earn an income by cleaning up the garbage for the vihara. Venerable Hui Che discovered that the brothers were not attending school, therefore he visited their home and learned that their families could not afford to send them to school.

The five children live in Fo Guang Shan du Congo. photo／The Life News Agency

In response, Venerable Hui Che made a promise to provide these children with a good environment and education. He allowed the two brothers to live at the temple. Later, three more children joined, and from that point on, there were five children living at the temple.

After five years, the oldest child among these five children has now entered secondary school, and they is capable of handling Dharma instrument during morning and evening chanting and has expressed a desire to renounce. Venerable Hui Che hopes to support them through university education and then let them decide whether they want to pursue a career or monastic life.

The children are capable of handling Dharma instrument during morning and evening chanting. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Hui Che emphasizes that if these children had continued to live in their original environment, they might have gone astray. However, since they moved to Fo Guang Shan du Congo, not only have they been able to study smoothly, but their families have also come to the temple to help, creating positive connections and nurturing a better future.

After graduating from the Fo Guang Shan FGS Tsung-Lin University, Venerable Hui Jian made the decision to return to the Congo for Dharma propagation. He stated, "I want to bring Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Humanistic Buddhism to Republic of the Congo and help Africans learn about Buddhism and practice it."

Venerable Hui Jian serves as the Temple Chef. photo／The Life News Agency

In the vihara, Venerable Hui Jian instructs meditation and serves as the Temple Chef. He explained, "Being a Temple Chef can accumulate blessings. Venerable Master Hsing Yun also emphasized that disciples should learn to cook and prepare vegetarian food with the intention of offering it to the followers."

Followers took the Buddhist Exams. photo／The Life News Agency

Fo Guang Shan du Congo's Dharma propagation activities include Cultivation Gatherings, Fo Guang Baby Blessing Ceremony, Buddhist Exams, Bathing the Buddha Celebration, Beach Cleanup, Tree Planting, and more. They are currently preparing for a Triple Gem Refuge Taking Ceremony, which they hope to hold next year. Venerable Hui Che mentioned that the local community has shown a high level of acceptance towards Buddhism. Now, their ongoing efforts are focused on practicing Venerable Master Hsing Yun's "Four Givings" philosophy.

Fo Guang Shan du Congo held Fo Guang Baby Blessing Ceremony. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Hui Che, Venerable Hui Jian, and Venerable Hui Cheng, who currently serves at FGS Qishan Meditation Centre, all came to Taiwan from the Congo in 2011 to renounce. Venerable Hui Jian stated that his decision to renounce was inspired by the compassion of Buddhism. Currently, propagating Buddhism in Africa still face many obstacles and difficulties. Venerable Hui Jian hopes to guide more young people to learn about Buddhism and, ultimately, to renounce. Venerable Hui Jian emphasized, "Just two or three of us are not enough; we need more people. Only when more people join can Buddhism have hope in Africa."