Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto Lantern Painting Shares Light and Blessings with the World

November 23, 2025

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted two “Spring Festival Peace Lantern Painting” sessions on November 16 and 23, bringing together more than 200 participants to celebrate creativity, community, and hope. The event marked the 60th anniversary of Fo Guang Shan and paid tribute to the 100th birthday of its founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Students and families from the FGS Temple of Toronto Chinese School, the Buddha’s Light Children English Dharma Class, Srimala Buddhist College, as well as members of the 6thMeadowvale Scouts and the Dragon & Lion Dance Team, joined in painting lanterns filled with blessings for the world.

Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto (FGS Toronto), welcomed everyone. Abbess explained that the themes “Fo Guang Shan and Me” and “Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Me” embody the spirit of the Three Acts of Goodness and the Four Givings. By encouraging children and families to express these values through art, the temple hopes to nurture seeds of compassion, wisdom, and goodwill. Selected lanterns will be sent to Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan to be displayed during the 2026 Lunar New Year, sharing Canada’s warm wishes with global visitors.

Venerable Zhi Guan, Director of FGS Toronto, outlined the purpose of the activity and offered artistic guidance. She highlighted the cultural meaning of lantern-lighting in Chinese tradition—symbolizing not only illumination of space, but the lighting of hope and clarity within one’s heart. The Chinese School also recognized student Jolie Chow for her exemplary “Three Acts of Goodness Card,” encouraging children to bring goodness into daily life.

The sessions were filled with touching family moments. Kindergarten student Huiqiao painted alongside her mother, inspired by Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s words, “Where there is hope, there is strength.” Another student, Lori, joined her mother and grandmother in creating a lantern based on “Where there is Dharma, there is a way.” The family expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share meaningful time together and reflected on how faith can guide one through life’s challenges.

Students and parents from the FGS Chinese School, Children’s English Dharma Class, and Srimala Buddhist College paint lanterns to offer blessings to the world on November 16.
6th Meadowvale Scouts and the FGS Toronto Dragon & Lion Dance Team join the second lantern-painting session on November 23, sending their blessings through art.
Venerable Chueh Fan introduces this year’s themes: “Fo Guang Shan and Me” and “Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Me.”
Venerable Zhi Guan explains the purpose of the lantern-painting activity and offers creative guidance.
Chinese School students and parents enjoy creating lanterns together.
Venerable Zhi Shen introduces the meaning and process of lantern painting to the Scouts and Dragon & Lion Dance Team.
Children from the Buddha’s Light Children English Dharma Class enthusiastically join the activity.
Scout leaders guide members through the lantern-painting process with care.
Scout members focus intently on their creative work.
Chinese School families immerse themselves in painting and enjoy the creative experience.