As summer came to an end, teachers of the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto Chinese School gathered on August 31 for their annual Teachers’ Workshop. More than 20 teachers and teacher assistants returned to the temple to prepare for the new academic year, focusing on course planning, teaching materials, Buddhist etiquette practice, temple tours, and equipment familiarization in advance of the opening ceremony.

Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan commended the teachers for their dedication, emphasizing that the essence of learning Buddhism lies in practice. She reminded participants that when teachers lead children by example, they will naturally avoid wrongdoing. The foundation, Abbess stressed, begins with the Three Acts of Goodness—doing good deeds, speaking good words, and thinking good thoughts—which also form the basis of the Ten Wholesome Deeds, enabling children to bring the Dharma into their homes.

Participants represented a wide range of ages and professions, including youth assistants as young as 14, parent-child teams, newlyweds who recently celebrated a Buddhist wedding, and professionals from industries such as technology, banking, and construction. Despite diverse backgrounds, they share a commitment to nurturing education and transmitting values.

Venerable Chueh Fan highlighted the karmic affinities that brought everyone together for this mission, noting that the teachers’ dedication at past events, such as the Buddha’s Light Vegetarian Food Fair, has already set an example for many families. She encouraged teachers to embody the vision of Fo Guang Shan’s founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, by realizing the meaning of practicing Buddhism through education.

Venerable Zhi Guan added that immigrant families often face significant pressures overseas, making it vital for teachers to connect with both students and parents. Through faith and service, teachers can strengthen wholesome affinities, find joy, and learn to let go of comparisons.

The workshop finalized plans for five classes in the upcoming semester, including the introduction of a new adult Pinyin class. Teacher Jeanny Lin presented a demonstration, while Director of Academic Affairs Hong Liu announced that the temple will provide100 copies of Humanistic Buddhism’s Paths to Happiness as shared reading for parents, underscoring the temple’s commitment to family education.

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