Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
October 16, 2023

On October 14th and 15th, the Singapore Buddhist Federation organized the "Singapore Buddhist Symposium 2023" with the theme of "Envisioning Buddhism In Modern-Era Singapore", where local Buddhist leaders and elites from various fields came together to outline the future blueprint of Buddhism in Singapore.

Venerable Miao Mu, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan (Singapore), was invited to speak about "Envisioning Humanistic Buddhism In Singapore."

Venerable Miao Mu stated that Humanistic Buddhism embodies what the Buddha preached, what people need, purification, and beauty. This vision is what Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan, advocates for Humanistic Buddhism. There are six characteristics of Humanistic Buddhism: humanistic, practicality, benefiting others, joyfulness, timeliness, and universality. 

The practices of "Three Acts of Goodness," "Four Givings," and "Five Harmonies" promoted by Venerable Master Hsing Yun are the implementation of Humanistic Buddhism. By constantly practicing Humanistic Buddhism in daily life, one can achieve "Where There Is Dharma, There Is a Way." This leads to a sense of joy in the Dharma, harmony within families, societal peace, and can eventually expand to world peace.

The practices of "Three Acts of Goodness," "Four Givings," and "Five Harmonies" promoted by Venerable Master Hsing Yun are the implementation of Humanistic Buddhism. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Miao Mu further pointed out that, according to Venerable Master Hsing Yun's lectures, different religions should integrate, respect, tolerate, and support one another. Buddhist organizations should establish educational initiatives, enhance cultural dissemination, advocate for compassion and wisdom, and organize collective practices among devotees. Monastics and devotees must be humanized, modernized, popularized, and integrated into everyday life.

Venerable Miao Mu pointed out that Fo Guang Shan is promoting its Four Objectives around the world: to propagate the Dharma through culture, to foster talent through education, to benefit society through charity, to purify human minds through spiritual cultivation.

Venerable Miao Mu answered questions in the Q&A session. photo／The Life News Agency

Humanistic Buddhism can purify the human heart and give people confidence. The promotion of Humanistic Buddhism by FGS Singapore enhances the cultivation of Buddhists.

Finally, Venerable Miao Mu shared the story of "Monks and Soap". She explained that just like soap, which has the function of cleansing but needs to be used to be effective, the truths in Buddhist scriptures must be practiced in daily life.