Representatives of the National Organizing Committee for Canadian Buddhist Heritage Month Gathering visited Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto on March 12 to discuss a nationwide initiative to establish Canadian Buddhist Heritage Month through federal legislation. The delegation was received by Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan and Venerable Zhi Guan.

The visiting group included Tsengdok Rinpoche, Abbot of Tsengdok Monastery; Venerable Minh An, abbess of the Hoa Hao Monastery; Venerable Hue Minh of Hong An Buddhist Temple; Venerable Ghosaka of the Burmese Buddhist Society Vancouver; and Olivia Cen, together with other representatives, totaling ten participants.

The committee plans to present a formal proposal on May 25, 2026 at Parliament Hill, where Buddhist organizations and representatives from across Canada will gather to express collective support for the designation of Canadian Buddhist Heritage Month. The initiative aims to unite the Sangha, lay communities, and academic voices nationwide, marking an important milestone for Buddhist heritage in Canada.

During their visit to the Greater Toronto Area, the delegation also met with leaders from several Buddhist traditions, including Bhante Saranapala of West End Buddhist Temple and MeditationCentre, as well as representatives from the Toronto Burmese Buddhist Temple and Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto. The effort seeks to bring together Tibetan, Theravada, and Mahayana Buddhist communities across the country.

Tsengdok Rinpoche noted that Canada is a multicultural and multi-faith society, and Buddhists who value social harmony should actively contribute to the well-being of society. Referencing the vision of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Humanistic Buddhism, he expressed hope that the initiative would strengthen cooperation among Buddhist communities while fostering respectful dialogue with other faith traditions.

Venerable Chueh Fan praised the initiative to unite Canada’s Buddhist communities, noting that Venerable Master Hsing Yun consistently encouraged Buddhism to engage with society. She expressed hope that the effort would connect Buddhist organizations with diverse cultural communities across Canada.

During the meeting, Olivia Cen highlighted examples of Vesak celebrations and cultural programs in British Columbia and the Greater Toronto Area, illustrating how Buddhist communities contribute to society through education, charity, and cultural outreach. She emphasized that the initiative seeks cultural recognition rather than religious privilege, aiming to share Buddhist values of compassion and peace with broader society.

The delegation also toured the temple’s second-floor calligraphy exhibition featuring works inspired by the teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The visit concluded with a group photo at the temple’s Main Shrine, where commemorative publications—including Handing Down the Light by VenerableMaster Hsing Yun and the Fo Guang Shan Annual Report— were presented as tokens of appreciation.