On September 10th, Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) of Toronto organized the "Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Profound Impact on My Life" forum at the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto. This remarkable event featured guest speakers: Lay Dharma Teachers of BLIA, Winnie Kwong and Sue Hutchison; Chapter Director of BLIA Toronto, Keven Chen; and the White Elephant Executive of BLIA Radiance Subchapter, Mylinh Tran. With over 90 devoted BLIA members in attendance, this seminar illuminated the enduring impact of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, spanning generations and transcending temporal boundaries.

BLIA of Toronto's Supervisor, Glenn Chen, commencing the forum with a speech on behalf of BLIA Toronto. He highlighted that despite the 30-years age gap among the four guest speakers, their unique experiences and perspectives in their Buddhist learning journeys, making them valuable sources of learning for everyone. 

The hosts, BLIA of Toronto Vice President Kim Chan and Toronto Humanistic Buddhism Reading Group Coordinator Betty Young, invited the speakers to address four main topics: How did they establish a connection with Venerable Master Hsing Yun? What has been the most profound influence of Venerable Master Hsing Yun on their lives? What aspects of Venerable Master Hsing Yun do they admire the most? And what are the most cherished memories of Venerable Master Hsing Yun after his passing?

The four speakers each had different ways of connecting with Venerable Master Hsing Yun. One of them attended Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Buddhist lectures at the Hong Kong Coliseum in the 1990s, another speaker had participated in the Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony at the BLIA World Conference, where they listened to Venerable Master Hsing Yun explain Buddhist teachings. Additionally, one of them became acquainted with the Master's teachings through his written works.

Sue Hutchison, the Lay Dharma Teacher, revealed how Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s wisdom had guided her to shift her mindset and nurture gratitude. His actions and words remained an enduring source of inspiration, continuing to shape her spiritual journey.  Winnie Kwong, another Lay Dharma Teacher, shared Venerable Master’s advocacy for a correct faith in Buddhism, empowering her to embrace optimism and move away from superstitions. This perspective equipped her with the resilience to confront life's challenges and uncover the inherent joy in every day and every place. She now leads a life-free from worries and fear.

Keven Chen, Director of BLIA Toronto shared his personal experience of witnessing how the Venerable Master moved BLIA young adults around the world through his leading by example. Mylinh Tran, shared her experience of visiting FGS Temple of Toronto during her mother's recovery from illness. She felt the warmth and support of the Fo Guang Shan family, expressing her gratitude to Venerable Master Hsing Yun for establishing the temple, providing spiritual comfort to everyone and helping them understand the meaning of life and living. She also emphasized how her time at Fo Guang Shan has offered her a broad platform for learning, contributing to the development of her leadership and execution skills.

When discussing "the most admirable attributes of Venerable Master", Sue Hutchison remarked, "Venerable Master's wisdom is boundless; even three days and nights wouldn't suffice to fully describe it. His eloquence is unparalleled, effortlessly explaining scriptures and teachings. His skills in composing lyrics and music has guided the younger generation toward embracing Buddhism. When faced with requests and questions from the faithful, Venerable Master’s profound resolutions have enlightened all sentient beings. His teachings on the Three Goodness, Four Givings, and Five Harmonies serve as a path to purify our body, speech, and mind while developing positive affinities."

Venerable Master's prolific writings, covering a wide spectrum of subjects, have enabled the younger generations like Mylinh Tran to believe in his ability to provide solutions to multifaceted challenges across different domains. Keven Chen poignantly mentioned the recent passing of both his grandparents, expressing his gratitude for the spiritual support provided by Fo Guang Shan during these trying times.

In May 2023, Sue Hutchison, representing Toronto, made a heartfelt return to Fo Guang Shan in Kaohsiung for the "Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Relics and Statue Offering Ceremony". She proclaimed, "Venerable Master’s enduring presence shall forever resonate within our hearts. Let us vow to continue our journey under the guidance of Most Venerable Hsin Bao, Abbot of Fo Guang Shan and Venerable Elder Masters, striving even harder to embrace Venerable Master's compassion and commitment as our own. Our mission remains propagating Humanistic Buddhism to every corner of the world."

Host Kim Chan described Fo Guang Shan as a source of renewed confidence and strength on our life journey. Co-host Betty Young invited everyone to encapsulate the essence of the discussion, resulting in the profound insights: "Where there is Dharma, there is a Way", "Happiness, akin to perfume, diffuses joy", "Fo Guang Youth represents Buddhism's future", "Embrace change, welcome challenges", "I am Buddha", and "Learn from Buddha, walk the path of Buddha, and become Buddha".

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