Main Shrine

Regular Dharma assemblies and ceremonies are held in the main hall every weekend and monthly. These collective practices provide opportunities for people to study, deepen, and practice Buddhist teachings, as well as a way for devotees to worship the Buddha and Bodhisattvas and learn from their virtues and spirit.

Introduction to the main hall

The Great Hero Hall is the most important hall in the temple and the place where all major Buddhist ceremonies and Dharma assemblies are held. The "Great Hero Hall" is the main hall of a Buddhist temple, enshrining the founder, Shakyamuni Buddha. The Buddha embodies majestic wisdom, pure morality, and compassionate power, capable of subduing evil and saving all beings from suffering and ignorance, much like a great hero in the world. This hall can accommodate nearly 400 people. During the construction of Fo Guang Shan Temple in Toronto, many volunteers participated in the building and decorating of the main shrine. The ceiling panels you see now and each lamp on the walls were hand-painted and installed by hundreds of volunteers.

The Five Wisdom Buddhas introduce

The Five Wisdom Buddhas represent the five directions of the universe, each possessing unique qualities and wisdom. From right to left, they are:

East — Akshobhya Buddha:

Also known as Immovable Buddha, symbolizes an unwavering Bodhi mind, using compassionate power to guide sentient beings

Center — Vairocana Buddha:

Also known as the Great Sun Buddha. His name has three meanings: removing darkness, spreading light, accomplishing all tasks, and having a light that is birthless and deathless.

West — Amitabha Buddha:

 The presiding Buddha of the Western Pure Land, known for infinite light and infinite life, also called the Buddha of Infinite Life and Infinite Light. Amitabha made forty-eight great vows during his Bodhisattva path, establishing the Western Pure Land to receive all beings.

North — Accomplishment Buddha:

Meditation, and wisdom. Anyone who chants and worships him will achieve success in all endeavors.

South — Ratnasambhava Buddha:

Represents the accumulation of merit with the jewel of wisdom, fulfilling the wishes of all beings.

Inside the hall, the Five Wisdom Buddhas, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva are enshrined.

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Guanyin)

To the right of the Great Hero Hall, beside the Five Wisdom Buddhas, stands Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Avalokitesvara represents compassion, responding to the cries of all who call upon her and serving as a boat to ferry people across the sea of suffering. We hope that everyone who comes to the temple to pay homage can learn from Avalokitesvara's compassionate spirit, showing care for society, responding to the suffering they encounter, and benefiting all living beings.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Dizang)

To the left of the Great Hero Hall is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, known for his great vow. Ksitigarbha has vowed not to achieve Buddhahood until all beings in the six realms of existence are liberated. Ksitigarbha once made a great vow: "If the hells are not empty, I will not attain Buddhahood; only when all beings are saved will I attain enlightenment." He vowed to rescue all beings suffering in hell, and only when all beings have achieved enlightenment will he realize Buddhahood.

我們邀請您在這個寧靜的環境中進行靈修。歡迎您參加我們每週六的英文法會服務或每週日的法會服務。您也可以在我們的開放時間內參觀大雄寶殿，表達尊敬並尋找內心的平靜。