As spring brings renewal and growth, members of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Toronto Chapter embraced the season by combining environmental awareness with spiritual cultivation. On May 31, the Scarborough First and Second Subchapters co-hosted a “Gardening and Environmental Protection Life Talk” at the Buddha’s Light Center in Markham. The event welcomed over 66 attendees, including Monastic Advisor Venerable Ru An, Subchapter Presidents Holly Cheng and Kam Wong, BLIA Lay Dharma Teacher Winnie Kwong, and members of the local community.

The seminar featured renowned gardening expert Vincent Fang, who delivered an engaging and informative session filled with warmth and humor. Drawing on his extensive experience, Mr. Fang introduced six essential techniques for cultivating fruits and vegetables at home. Topics included soil preparation, sunlight management, moisture control, organic pest deterrence, and the use of nutrient-rich rainwater. He emphasized eco-conscious, non-harming gardening methods, encouraging harmony with birds, squirrels, and insects —embodying the principles of compassion and sustainability.

The event opened with a reflection from Humanistic Buddhism speaker Annie Du, who shared an inspiring words from Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founding master of Fo Guang Shan. “Only with sowing comes the harvest,” Du encouraged participants to view gardening not just as a physical task, but as a form of spiritual practice, an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness and inner peace while applying the “Three Acts of Goodness” and “Four Givings” in daily life.

Mr. Fang generously distributed flower seedlings and seeds to attendees and led an engaging Q&A session. The lively exchange was filled with enthusiasm and gratitude, with many expressing their eagerness to implement the techniques at home.

In her closing remarks, Venerable Ru An praised the event for successfully integrating Buddhist teachings with practical environmental action. “This was more than just a gardening workshop,” she said. “It was a living expression of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s vision of coexistence and mutual prosperity. Environmental protection begins with a mindset of respect and compassion.”

By aligning nature, Dharma, and community engagement, this life talk sowed more than just plants —it nurtured seeds of kindness, awareness, and shared responsibility, inspiring all in attendance to contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious world.