Fo Guang Shan Bodhi Temple
The Way of Venerable Master Hsing Yun
"To cultivate yourself, recognize your merits and improve your shortcomings. To cultivate others, tolerate their shortcomings and praise their merits."
-Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Our Founder
(August 19th, 1927 – February 5th, 2023)
Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Venerable Master Hsing Yun devoted his life to the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism and the realization of the Fo Guang Pure Land. In the past 56 years since the founding of Fo Guang Shan, he had established over 300 temples worldwide and founded five universities in Taiwan, USA, Australia, and the Philippines, as well as the Buddha’s Light International Association with millions of members. Countless people have benefited from his compassionate endeavors.
Venerable Master Hsing Yun passed away at age 97, on February 5th, 2023, in Taiwan.
Humanistic Buddhism
Our Philosophy
Fo Guang Shan’s primary mission is to propagate Humanistic Buddhism. The core teaching of Humanistic Bud was born in the human realm, strived in the human realm, and attained awakening in thdhism is the recognition that the Buddhae human realm. The Buddha is our spiritual guide and model. By following his teachings, we believe that all beings can also eventually reach the same attainments he did over 2,600 years ago.
In light of many temples being closed off from the public, Humanistic Buddhism was first coined by eminent Buddhist monks in the early-1900s as a way to return to the Buddha’s original intentions and show that Buddhism is still relevant in a modernized world.
Humanistic Buddhism is based on the philosophy that Buddhist teachings can be integrated into all aspects of our daily lives.
It emphasizes actively engaging with the world and contributing directly to society rather than disengaging from it.
The goal is to recognize the non-duality between what is sacred and what is mundane.
While Buddhism teaches that there are six realms of existence, Humanistic Buddhism focuses on our present existence in the human realm.
As we work towards rebirth in Amitabha Buddha’s Pure Land, we also strive to transform our current realm into a pure land as well.
Recognizing the suffering which exists in the world, we are able to transform it through compassion and wisdom.
In our journey towards our own spiritual awakening, we also work towards liberating others and come to realize the non-duality of self and other.
In every interaction with others, we have the opportunity to form affinities with them. Through these wholesome affinities, we are able to sow the seeds of harmony and happiness among all beings.