Francis Wong
February 21, 2024

UNESCO Chairman Delors once said, "Education is the common foundation for human growth. With the right direction in education, the innate qualities of truth, goodness, and beauty in humanity can be promoted, leading to easier achievement of world harmony and progress."

Venerables gave apples to emphasize the spirit of "Giving. "photo／The Life News Agency

Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple gives back to society by practicing "education" and welcoming the Year of the Dragon in a unique celebration. Upholding the Fo Guang Shan motto of "nurturing talent through education." On 10 February, through the "New Year Thousand Buddhas Dharma Function," Venerable Man Ko, Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Australia and New Zealand, emphasized the late Venerable Master Hsing Yun's efforts to strengthen education and cultivate talent, by actively advocating and promoting the "Good Seedlings" program.

Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple gives back to society by practicing "education" and welcoming the Year of the Dragon in a unique celebration. photo／The Life News Agency

Artists vowed to spread compassion with calligraphy. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Master Hsing Yun once said, "Life education is more important than knowledge education, moral education is more important than utilitarian education, universal education is more important than self-centred education, and self-awareness education is more important than receiving education." Venerable Master Hsing Yun deeply understood that only by continuously improving and inheriting the Buddhist education system can the wheel of wisdom perpetually turn, benefiting the society.

"Celebrating the New Year, and also to do good deeds," said Venerable Man Ko, emphasizing that good deeds can improve oneself and change the society, fostering continuous improvements in society. Venerable Man Ko hopes to fulfill the late Master's wish by encouraging more students, through the Hsing Yun Education Foundation scholarship system to have the opportunity to study at Nan Tien Institute, thereby giving back to society and nurturing talents for society.

Venerable Man Ko then conducted a simple yet solemn scholarship award ceremony, witnessed by the attendees at the Dhrama Function, awarding scholarships to several students currently studying at Nan Tien Institute, including Sunita Gurung, Shacha Chap, Tshering Tobgay, Rinchen Thongdrel, Ven. Singye Wangchuk, Ven. Hoang, Nam Nguyen.

Students sincerely thanked Venerable Master Hsing Yun. photo／The Life News Agency

Bhutanese students received scholarships from the Hsing Yun Education Foundation.photo／The Life News Agency

Two Bhutanese students, Sunita Gurung and Rinchen Thongdrel, who received scholarships from the Hsing Yun Education Foundation, sincerely thanked Venerable Master Hsing Yun for his compassion. They expressed their gratitude for being able to continue pursuing a Master's degree in Applied Buddhism at Nan Tien Institute, feeling warmly welcomed by Nan Tien Temple and Nan Tien Institute. They are passionate about studying Buddhism and feel that even though Venerable Master Hsing Yun had passed away, his love and compassion will always be with them. They hope to return to their country after completing their studies to continue the Master's legacy, passing on the torch and nurturing more talents for Buddhism and society.

Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple welcomed the Year of the Dragon in a unique celebration. photo／The Life News Agency