The Buddha’s Light International Association held a “BLIA Leadership Forum” on May 9 at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto under the theme “Serving with Wisdom and Compassion,” welcoming nearly 120 BLIA executive members and participants for an afternoon of reflection on volunteer leadership, collective collaboration, and spiritual cultivation.

The forum featured Venerable Miao Fan, Chancellor of Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism alongside Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of FGS Temple of Toronto and Kevin Cao, President of BLIA Toronto chapter. Venerable Miao Fan emphasized that “service is not only about accomplishing tasks, but also about cultivating oneself,” encouraging participants to approach volunteer work with wisdom, compassion, and self-reflection.

Reflecting on her spiritual journey, Venerable Miao Fan shared that she grew up within Taiwan’s folk religious culture and explored Christianity, I-Kuan Tao, art, music, and travel in search of life’s direction. After entering Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University in 1992, she was deeply inspired by the Buddhist teaching of dependent origination, realizing that life is not governed by fate, but can instead be transformed through causes and conditions. This understanding led her to ordain in 1993.

In recent years, Venerable Miao Fan has actively promoted Humanistic Buddhism within Western academic circles through forums and exchanges at institutions including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. She also helped facilitate the establishment of the Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought and Practice at the University of Toronto, describing it as an important milestone in bringing Humanistic Buddhism into mainstream Western academic discourse and contemporary society.

During the discussion, participants raised questions about balancing family life, careers, and volunteer commitments. Venerable Miao Fan noted that Buddhist practice should foster greater harmony in family life and stability in one’s career rather than create imbalance. Quoting Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teaching that “when refusing, there should be an alternative,” she encouraged members to continue supporting others through skillful and compassionate means.

Addressing group unity and differing opinions, Venerable Miao Fan highlighted Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s spirit of “collective creation,” explaining that genuine organizational strength is built through participation, communication, and mutual understanding. She further emphasized that serving others simultaneously cultivates one’s own compassion, wisdom, patience, and resilience.

Venerable Miao Fan also introduced the practice of “concentration and contemplation” (止觀), encouraging participants to develop greater mindfulness and self-awareness in transforming emotional reactions and afflictions.

Responding to audience questions, Venerable Chueh Fan observed that many tensions between spiritual cultivation, family responsibilities, and volunteer service arise from dualistic thinking, and that understanding the inseparability of cultivation and daily life can naturally resolve many afflictions.

Closing the forum, Kevin Cao encouraged members by noting that the Toronto Chapter’s growing range of activities naturally brings greater responsibilities and challenges, yet these experiences are also opportunities for growth and cultivation. He affirmed that BLIA Toronto will continue creating opportunities for executive members and volunteers to learn from spiritual mentors while jointly supporting the temple and promoting Humanistic Buddhism.

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