The Fo Guang Shan emblem, used by all FGS affilated branch temples and organizations. The standing Buddha represents the 36 metre high statue of Amitabha Buddha on the monastery grounds.

Main entrance to the Fo Guang Shan monastery. Seen also is the BLIA logo, a statue of Maitreya, and the statue of Amitabha in far right.

Fo Guang Shan (佛光山) (pinyin: Fóguāngshān; literally Buddha's Light Mountain) is a Chinese Mahayana Buddhist monastic order that has gained a worldwide presence, and has chapters around the world. The headquarters of Fo Guang Shan, located in Kaohsiung, is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. The organisation itself is also one of the largest charity organizations in Taiwan. Image File history File links Fgs_logo. ... Image File history File links Fgs_logo. ... The Big Buddha in Kamakura, an image of Amitabha Amitābha (阿彌陀佛 Ch. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1536 × 2048 pixel, file size: 543 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Fo Guang Shan... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1536 × 2048 pixel, file size: 543 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Fo Guang Shan... BLIA logo The Buddhas Light Internation Association (國除佛光會), commonly known as BLIA, was established by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1992. ... Maitreya Bodhisattva (Sanskrit) or Metteyya Bodhisatta (Pāli) is the future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. ... Relief image of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin from Mt. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by... Nickname: Coordinates: Country Region Southern Taiwan Capital Lingya Dist (苓雅區) Government  - Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) Area  - City 154 km²  (59. ...

Founded in 1967 by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, a popular Buddhist monk and scholar, the order promotes Humanistic Buddhism, a modern Buddhist philosophy made popular by the order and many other Buddhist organizations. It also aims to make Buddhism relevant in the world and in peoples lives and hearts. The order is part of the Pureland lineage as well as the Rinzai Zen (characters: 臨濟宗; pinyin: Línjìzōng) lineage of Buddhism. Statue of the Venerable Master Hsing Yun. ... Humanistic Buddhism (Chinese: 人間佛教; Pinyin: ) is a popular modern philosophy practiced mainly in Chinese Mahayana Buddhism. ... There is a disputed proposal that this article should be merged with Rinzai and Linji. ... Zen is a form of Mahāyāna Buddhism notable for its emphasis on praxis and experiential wisdom, particularly as realized in the form of meditation known as zazen, in the attainment of enlightenment as experienced by the Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama. ...

History of Fo Guang Shan

Main hall.

In 1967, Master Hsing Yun purchased more than 30 hectares in Dashu Township, Kaohsiung County as the site for the construction of a monastery. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 16th. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 746 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Fo Guang Shan... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 746 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Fo Guang Shan... In the east Asian lunisolar calendars, Dashu (大暑) is a solar term begins when the Sun lies between the celestial longitude of 120° and 135°. It sometimes refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 120°. Introduction Dashu usually begins around July 23... Nickname: Coordinates: Country Region Southern Taiwan Capital Lingya Dist (苓雅區) Government  - Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) Area  - City 154 km²  (59. ...

During the time that was spent clearing the mountains, the endless toiling away, wave upon wave of physical strain, the planning that carried on into all hours of the day, the barrage of floods and other natural disasters, and the belligerent mobs that surrounded the mountain were all quite beyond description. On windy and sunny days, the workers clothes would be soaked in sweat, dried up, and then soaked up again. They would be discussing throughout the day and go to bed late at night, and then as soon as the sun came out, they would work again. However, in the momentum of an incomparable courage, and by the blood and sweat of the laborers, the vast wilderness was transformed into the scenic Fo Guang Shan that exists today.

From 1967 and on, Fo Guang Shan embarked on many construction projects, including university buildings, shrines, and a cemetery. In 1975, Fo Guang Shan's 36-meter tall statue of Amitabha Buddha was consecrated. In 1981, 15 years after its establishment, the Great Hero Hall was built. During these times, many other FGS temples outside the order's mother monastery were also built.

Currently, a giant tower is being built for a tooth sharira of the Buddha, which was a gift presented by Tibetan lamas in 1998. The tower commemorates the life of the historical Gautama Buddha. No recent developments have been made since the announcement to build the tower. 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean by UNESCO. [1]. // Coated in ice, power and telephone lines sag and often break, resulting in power outages. ... Standing Buddha sculpture, ancient region of Gandhara, northern Pakistan, 1st century CE, Musée Guimet. ...

Temple closing

In May 1997, Master Hsing Yun announced that he would close the mountain gate of Fo Guang Shan to the general public, causing a media frenzy in Taiwan. His reason in closing the monastery was to give monastics the cloistered atmosphere they need for their Buddhist practice. At the end of 2000, ROC President Chen Shui-bian and government officials from Kaohsiung visited Fo Guang Shan bringing with them the wish from their constituents that Fo Guang Shan re-open its mountain gate. Chen Shui-bian, President of the Republic of China Chen Shui-bian (ch. ... Nickname: Coordinates: Country Region Southern Taiwan Capital Lingya Dist (苓雅區) Government  - Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) Area  - City 154 km²  (59. ...

After due consideration, Fo Guang Shan decided to re-open the monastery to some extent, thereby providing the public with a Pure Land environment in which to practice Buddhism.

Innovations

Fo Guang Shan today has been extraordinarily successful; in the past several decades, temples and organizations have been established on five continents in 173 countries, and now encompasses more than 3,500 monastics. Fo Guang Shan emphasizes education and service, maintaining public universities, Buddhist colleges, libraries, publishing houses, translation centres, Buddhist art galleries, teahouses, and mobile medical clinics worldwide.

The order has also established a children's home, retirement home, high school and television station.

Social and medical programs

The social and medical programs of Fo Guang Shan include a free medical clinic with mobile units that serve remote villages, an annual winter relief program organized to distribute warm clothing and food supplies to the needy, a children's and seniors' home, wildlife conservation areas to protect living creatures, and a cemetery for the care of the deceased.

Educational programs

The educational programs of Fo Guang Shan include four Buddhist colleges. The Chinese Buddhist research institute is further subdivided into four separate departments; a women's and men's college, and an international and English Buddhist studies department. Tuition fees and lodging are provided by Fo Guang Shan, free of charge.

With the many colleges and universities, Fo Guang Shan also operates Pu-Men High School in Taipei, which provides regular curriculum for high school students. Fo Guang Shan has also built nursery schools, kindergartens, and Sunday schools for children. Pu-Men High School logo. ... In the United States and Germany, kindergarten (German for garden of children) refers to the first level of a childs formal education. ...

Religious Affairs Committee

In 1972, Master Hsing Yun established a nine member council, known as the Fo Guang Shan Religious Affairs Committee. These nine members govern the monastery and the order. The members are elected prior to the resignation, death, or the ending of a term of an abbot. Once elected by members of Fo Guang Shan, the votes are openly counted. The nine members then nominate their next abbot.

Abbots

Unlike a traditional Buddhist monastery abbot, where the incumbent selects his successor, Fo Guang Shan uses the modern ideals of democracy to choose the abbot.

The abbot of Fo Guang Shan is the overall head of the order, and is the chairperson of the RAC, serving a term of six years, with one reappointment by popular vote and under exceptional circumstances, a second reappointment by two thirds of the popular vote. The abbot is elected by all members of Fo Guang Shan through public vote. The abbot-elect is given a permanent regnal name in place of his/her own dharma name, with the first character being Hsin ("心" , xin, or heart). At the beginning of the year, the abbot-elect is inaugurated as the new director of Fo Guang Shan through a dharma transmission ceremony, receiving the robe and bowl. A regnal name, or reign name, is a formal name used by some popes and monarchs during their reigns. ... A Dharma name is a new name acquired during a Buddhist refuge ceremony. ... Dharma transmission is the act of passing the Zen or Chan Buddhist doctrine from a master to student. ...

Master Hsing Yun is the only abbot to have served as the abbot for more than two terms, and was also the only abbot to not be elected by the RAC. In the case of Venerable Hsin Ping (who was originally Venerable Zhizong), he was also not officially elected, as he was Master Hsing Yun's designated heir apparent. After Hsin Ping died, the vice director of Fo Guang Shan, Hsin Ting (originally Venerable Zhidu), was immediately elevated to serve the remaining years of Hsin Ping's term. Abbots have been elected according to FGS's constitution since then.

Like Master Hsing Yun, former abbots do not leave the order forever, Rather, by the end of their term of service, former abbots will go on making Dharma talks throughout the world at any time they can, and eventually will become the order's head teacher in their later years.

Fo Guang Shan order of precedence

The Fo Guang Shan order of precedence is a sequential hierarchy of nominal importance of monks, nuns, and laity. One's position in an order of precedence is not necessarily an indication of functional importance, but rather an indication of ceremonial or historical relevance.

1. Founder and Head Teacher (Venerable Master Hsing Yun)
2. Abbot (Most Venerable Hsin Pei)
3. Members of the FGS-RAC
4. Former Abbots
   1. Most Venerable Hsin Ping (Although Hsin Ping died in 1995, he is still respected as Master Hsing Yun's heir apparent, so therefore he is still higher nonetheless.)
   2. Most Venerable Hsin Ting (Considered to be the successor to Hsing Yun as head teacher)
5. Most senior monastics (In order of age)

Venerable Tzu Chuang, pictured during an alms begging ceremony at Hsi Lai Temple, is the eldest bhikkhuni in the Fo Guang Shan order. Behind her is Venerable Tzu Jung.

1. 1. Ven. Tzu Chuang
   2. Ven. Tzu Hui
   3. Ven. Tzu Jung
   4. Ven. Tzu Chia
   5. Ven. Tzu Wu
   6. Ven. Yi Yen
   7. Ven. Yi Kung
   8. Ven. Yi Hua
   9. Ven. Yi Fa
   10. Ven. Yi Chun
   11. Ven. Yi Heng
   12. Ven. Yi Hong
   13. Ven. Yi Chao
   14. Ven. Yi Lai
   15. Ven. Hui Long
   16. Ven. Hui Kai
   17. Ven. Hui Ri
   18. Ven. Hui Chuan
   19. Ven. Hui Li
   20. Ven. Hui Kuan
   21. List goes on to younger executive monastics
2. Abbots and Abbesses of their respective temples (who are later elevated to the fifth in succession)
3. Members of the Board of Directors of BLIA World Headquarters
4. Presidents of their respected BLIA chapter
5. BLIA members

Statue of the Venerable Master Hsing Yun. ... The Most Venerable Hsin Pei (心悲和尚) (1970-) is the current 4th abbot of Fo Guang Shan, a Buddhist monastery and worldwide charity and religious organization, founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. ... Venerable Hsin Ping (心平和尚) (1938-1995) was the fourth and fifth abbot of Fo Guang Shan, the heir apparent to Venerable Master Hsing Yun, a famous Buddhist master and founder of Fo Guang Shan. ... Venerable Hsin Ting (心定和尚) (born 1944) was the sixth abbot and director of Fo Guang Shan from 1997 to 2005. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Path To Buddhahood, linking both the Bodhisattva hall and the Main Shrine. ... BLIA logo The Buddhas Light Internation Association (國除佛光會), commonly known as BLIA, was established by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1992. ... BLIA logo The Buddhas Light Internation Association (國除佛光會), commonly known as BLIA, was established by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1992. ... BLIA logo The Buddhas Light Internation Association (國除佛光會), commonly known as BLIA, was established by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1992. ...

Dharma propagation

Dharma programs of Fo Guang Shan include lectures given in prisons and factories; programs on television and radio, large-scale public lectures in Taiwan and overseas, and the five precepts initiation given twice a year at the monastery. This article is about the Buddhist concept; see Pancasila Indonesia for the Indonesian state philosophy. ...

All branches of Fo Guang Shan organize pilgrimages to bring devotees to the monastery from different parts of Taiwan and overseas. Once pilgrims arrive, they are free to make use of all of the different activities that are open to the general public.

Criticism

Over the years, Fo Guang Shan has endured much criticism, primarily during their efforts to build more branch temples and establish new BLIA chapters, because some visitors felt that they were expected to give donations for this purpose. Also, some critics dispute whether some money that had been given to members of the order constituted gifts given personally to them, or donations to the organization, which requires that all donations to the order be accounted for.

Critics have also said repeatedly that branch temples of Fo Guang Shan have been noted to be huge and extravagant (such as Nan Tien Temple in Australia and Hsi Lai Temple in the United States), which contradicts the Buddhist thought of not being attached to material things. The order responds by stating that modern people require modern facilities, and without these new facilities, few people would be drawn to the practice of Buddhism. The quarters of the monks and nuns themselves, are in fact very simple and unpretentious. The main entrance to the Nan Tien Temple complex, with the Great Mercy Shrine at centre. ... The Path To Buddhahood, linking both the Bodhisattva hall and the Main Shrine. ...

Objectives of Fo Guang Shan

• To propagate Buddhist teachings through cultural activities
• To foster talent through education
• To benefit society through charitable programs
• To purify human hearts and minds through Buddhist practice

Fo Guang Shan Mottoes

Official Motto

"May the Buddha's Light shine upon the ten directions. May the Dharma stream continuously flow towards the five great continents."

The Four Verses of Fo Guang Shan and BLIA

• May palms in every world be joined in kindness, compassion, joy and generosity.
• May all beings find security in friendship, peace and loving care.
• May calm and mindful practice give rise of to deep patience and equanimity.
• May we give rise to spacious hearts and humble thoughts of gratitude.

BLIA Guidelines

• Offer others confidence
• Offer others joy
• Offer others hope
• Offer others convenience

Abbots and Directors of Fo Guang Shan

• Venerable Master Hsing Yun (1967-1985)
• Most Venerable Hsin Ping (1985-1995)
• Most Venerable Hsin Ting (1995-2005)
• Most Venerable Hsin Pei (2005-)

Statue of the Venerable Master Hsing Yun. ... Venerable Hsin Ping (心平和尚) (1938-1995) was the fourth and fifth abbot of Fo Guang Shan, the heir apparent to Venerable Master Hsing Yun, a famous Buddhist master and founder of Fo Guang Shan. ... Venerable Hsin Ting (心定和尚) (born 1944) was the sixth abbot and director of Fo Guang Shan from 1997 to 2005. ... The Most Venerable Hsin Pei (心悲和尚) (1970-) is the current 4th abbot of Fo Guang Shan, a Buddhist monastery and worldwide charity and religious organization, founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. ...

List of Fo Guang Shan affiliates

Branch Temples

Asia

• Pu Men Temple (Taipei, Taiwan)
• Pu Hsien Temple (Kaohsiung, Taiwan)
• Hoeh Beng Temple (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
• Leong Hua Temple (Selangor, Malaysia)
• Ching Ling Tong (Selangor, Malaysia)
• Fo Hsiang Jin Sha Temple (Kowloon, Hong Kong)
• Dong Zen Temple (Kuala Langat, Malaysia)
• Cheng Lin Thong (Petaling Jaya,, Malaysia)
• Motosu Temple (Ben Ji Temple) (Motosu, Gifu, Japan)

Alternative meaning: Taipei County City nickname: the City of Azaleas Capital District Xinyi Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 16 of 25 271. ... Nickname: Coordinates: Country Region Southern Taiwan Capital Lingya Dist (苓雅區) Government  - Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) Area  - City 154 km²  (59. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... State motto: Dipelihara Allah State anthem: Duli Yang Maha Mulia Capital Shah Alam Royal capital Klang Ruling party Barisan Nasional  - Sultan Sultan Sharafuddin  - Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo History    - Federated into FMS 1895   - Japanese occupation 1942   - Accession into Federation of Malaya 1948  Area  - Total 7,956 km² Population  - 2005... State motto: Dipelihara Allah State anthem: Duli Yang Maha Mulia Capital Shah Alam Royal capital Klang Ruling party Barisan Nasional  - Sultan Sultan Sharafuddin  - Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo History    - Federated into FMS 1895   - Japanese occupation 1942   - Accession into Federation of Malaya 1948  Area  - Total 7,956 km² Population  - 2005... In modern day Hong Kong, Kowloon refers to the urban area made up of Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon, bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutters Island in the west, Tates Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and... Kuala Langat is a district of Selangor, Malaysia. ... Motosu (本巣市, -shi) is a city in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. ...

North America

• Hsi Lai Temple (North America HQ) (USA, Hacienda Heights, CA)
• Hsi Fang Temple (USA, San Diego, CA)
• American Buddhist Cultural Associaition (USA, San Francisco, CA)
• Guam Buddhist Association (USA, Guam)
• Lian Hua Temple (USA, Las Vegas, NV)
• San Bao Temple (USA, San Francisco, CA)
• Chung Mei Temple (USA, Houston, Texas)
• Light of Buddha Temple (USA, Oakland, CA)
• Greater Boston Buddhist Cultural Center (USA, Cambridge, MA)
• BLIA Toronto (Canada, Toronto, ON)
• BLIA Vancouver (Canada, Richmond, BC)
• BLIA New Jersey (USA, Edison, NJ)
• BLIA New York (USA, New York, NY)
• BLIA Dallas (USA, Dallas, TX)

The Path To Buddhahood, linking both the Bodhisattva hall and the Main Shrine. ... Hacienda Heights is an unincorporated census-designated place located in Los Angeles County, California, USA. As of the 2000 census, the community had a total population of 53,122. ... City nickname:Americas Finest City County San Diego County, California Mayor Dick Murphy City Attorney Michael Aguirre City Council District One Scott Peters District Two Michael Zucchet District Three Toni Atkins District Four Tony Young District Five Brian Maienschein District Six Donna Frye Distirct Seven Jim Madaffer District Eight... This article is about the city in California. ... This article is about the city of Las Vegas in Nevada. ... This article is about the city in California. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Harris County Fort Bend County Montgomery County Incorporated June 5, 1837 Government  - Mayor Bill White Area  - City  601. ... Aerial view looking west over downtown Oakland, Lake Merritt and the Port of Oakland in the upper left portion of the image. ... Harvard Square, May 2000 Cambridge is a city in the greater Boston area in Massachusetts, United States. ... This page is for the city of Richmond, British Columbia. ... Edison Township is a township located in Middlesex County, New Jersey. ... New York, New York redirects here. ... Dallas redirects here. ...

South America

• Zu Lai Temple, (Brazil, Cotia, São Paulo)
• Templo Fo Guang Shan, www.templobudista-fgs.cl Chile
• Templo Fo Guang Shan (Argentina, Buenos Aires

This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Buenos Aires (disambiguation). ...

Europe

• Paris Vihara (France, Chateau Launoy, Renault)
• London Fo Guang Shan [1] (Great Britain)
• Manchester Fo Guang Shan (Great Britain)
• Geneva Fo Guang Shan (Switzerland) (European Headquarter)
• Amsterdam He Hwa Temple (Netherlands)
• Berlin Fo Guang Shan (Germany)
• Frankfurt Fo-Guang Shan (Germany)
• Stockholm Fo Guang Shan (Sweden)
• Antwerp Fo Guang Shan (Belgium)

City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur (Latin: Tossed by the waves, she does not sink) Paris Eiffel tower as seen from the esplanade du Trocadéro. ... Renault S.A. is a French vehicle manufacturer producing cars, vans, buses, tractors, and trucks. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... This article is about the City of Manchester in England. ... Geneva (pronunciation //; French: Genève //, German:   //, Italian: Ginevra //, Romansh: Genevra) is the second most populous city in Italy (after Zürich), and is the most populous city of Romandy (the French-speaking part of Switzerland). ... Nickname: Motto: Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig (Valiant, Determined, Compassionate) Location of Amsterdam Coordinates: Country Netherlands Province North Holland Government  - Mayor Job Cohen (PvdA)  - Aldermen Lodewijk Asscher Hennah Buyne Carolien Gehrels Tjeerd Herrema Maarten van Poelgeest Marijke Vos  - Secretary Erik Gerritsen Area [1][2]  - City 219 km²  (84. ... Location of Berlin within Germany / EU Coordinates Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Administration Country NUTS Region DE3 City subdivisions 12 boroughs Governing Mayor Klaus Wowereit (SPD) Governing parties SPD / Left. ... For other uses, see Frankfurt (disambiguation). ... Nickname: Location of Stockholm in northern Europe Coordinates: Country Sweden Municipality Stockholm Municipality County Stockholm Province Södermanland and Uppland Charter 13th Century Population (April 2007)  - City 782,885  - Density 4,160/km² (10,774. ... For other uses, see Antwerp (disambiguation). ...

Australia

• Nan Tien Temple (Wollongong, New South Wales)
• Chung Tian Temple (Brisbane, Queensland)
• Fo Guang Shan, Western Australia (Perth, Western Australia)

The main entrance to the Nan Tien Temple complex, with the Great Mercy Shrine at centre. ... Wollongong is the third largest city in the state of New South Wales, Australia, after Sydney and Newcastle. ... Chung Tian Temple (meaning Middle Heaven Temple) is a Humanistic Buddhist temple located at 1034 Underwood Road, Priestdale, Queensland. ... This article is about the Australian city. ... The Perth skyline viewed from the Swan River This article is about the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia. ...

Africa

• Nan Hua Temple (Africa HQ) (Bronkhorstspruit)

Nan Hua Temple Nan Hua Temple Complex Nan Hua Seminary, Guest House and Administrative Offices Nan Hua Temple (佛光山南華寺, Fo Guang Shan Nanhua Si) is the largest Buddhist temple and seminary in Africa and is situated in the Cultura Park suburb of Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa. ... Bronkhorstspruit is a small farming town 50km east of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa along the N4 highway towards Witbank. ...

New Zealand

• Fo Guang Shan North Island[2](Auckland, New Zealand)

Branch Schools

• Pumen High School
• University of the West (formerly Hsi Lai University)
• Nan Hua University
• Tsung Lin Buddhist College
• Fo Guang University
• Shou Shan Buddhist College

Pumen High School logo. ... The University of the West (Ch. ...

Publications and Media

• Merit Times
• Buddha's Light Publishing
• Universal Gate Magazine
• Beautiful Life TV (BLTV, only available in Taiwan)

External Links

Official web site