Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto has joyfully resumed its Spiritual Care Visit Program at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, marking the first visit since the pandemic. On October 7, Stephanie Hong, head of the temple’s Spiritual Care Group, together with member Debbie Choi, visited Buddhist patients at the hospital to offer comfort, blessings, and compassionate support.

Credit Valley Hospital is part of the Trillium Health Partners network, one of Canada’s largest community teaching hospital systems, which includes three major medical institutions across Mississauga and Toronto. Before the pandemic, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto had collaborated with the hospital for several years on this visiting program, which was temporarily paused during COVID-19. Now, as the hospital returns to regular operations, the program has been successfully relaunched through renewed partnership and shared compassion.

Earlier this year, during the Buddha’s Birthday Celebration in May, John Kim, Chaplain of the hospital’s Spiritual Care Department, was invited by Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, to attend the Bathing the Buddha Ceremony. Following that meaningful exchange, the temple and hospital discussed and agreed to restart the spiritual care visits.

After completing volunteer chaplaincy training at Credit Valley Hospital last month, Stephanie Hong and Debbie Choi now officially represent Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto in offering weekly spiritual care visits. According to Chaplain John Kim, when patients indicate their religious affiliation upon admission, the hospital’s Spiritual Care Department can arrange for appropriate faith-based visits, helping them find strength and peace through their beliefs during timesof illness.

Stephanie shared that she will bring this message back to the temple to encourage Buddha’s Light members and devotees to indicate their religious belief when admitted to a hospital, so they may receive support from the Spiritual Care Department. Through this renewed initiative, the compassion and warmth of Humanistic Buddhism continue to shine—bringing light,comfort, and hope to patients and their families.

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