Retrospection of BLIA 30th Anniversaries

To Learn About the Past, to Create a Better Future

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA,) on May 15, 2022, Fo Guang Shan Temple collaborated with BLIA Toronto to hold a symposium named “Rise with Spirit and Soar High - BLIA: Retrospections.”

Our host, Betty Young had interviewed five guests to understand how they initiated the tie with BLIA and shared their volunteer experiences at the association. The guests were Stanley Kwan and Glenn Chan who are our Chapter Advisers, Mabel Lam and Kim Chan, the President and Vice President of BLIA Toronto respectively and Fabian Yu, one of the fellow Directors of BLIA Toronto. Nearly 400 people (both in-person & online) learned about the volunteering works by BLIA Toronto chapter and also to discuss the future prospects and directions.

Stanley Kwan, the Chapter Adviser who had led BLIA into the mainstream community believes that Humanistic Buddhism should be well spread and recognized throughout the community whilst Glenn Chan, who are one of the Chapter Adviser and Past President of BLIA for the last 12 years also shared his experience pertaining to “Respect and Tolerance” which is also a mission taught by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Mabel Lam, the President of BLIA and the Committee Director of the United Nations Committee of BLIA said that, "Since BLIA joined the United Nations in 2006, we have been working with global organizations to achieve and to promote 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In June 2022, BLIA will promote the VEGRUN online event." Mabel also urged everyone to participate in this event which will benefit the community.

Vice President of BLIA, Kim Chan said that from the guidance by fellow venerables and senior volunteers, youth members of BLIA had gained a lot of experience from attending the activities, especially the activity with the theme of “To give others confidence,” which is the practice of the creeds of “Four Givings.” Fabian Yu, the Director of BLIA also quoted the teaching from Venerable Master Hsing Yun which stipulated that a temple is a gas station for spiritual cultivation. He concurred that the Dharma teachings from fellow venerables and volunteers lead all the devotees to learn about the Dharma related practice in life. He also hopes that he can continue to self-improve and to influence his peers.

The Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, Venerable Chueh Fan urged all the members to give our heartfelt thanks to Venerable Master for founding Fo Guang Shan and BLIA with the quote “Never forget our initiative mind.” The Abbess led everyone to listen to the discourse given by Venerable Master and to review the purposes and concepts of the establishment of BLIA. ◆