Toronto Buddha’s Light Members Deepen Humanistic Buddhist Practice Through Dharma Talk

May 10, 2026

On May 10, coinciding with Mother’s Day, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted a Dharma talk by Venerable Miao Fan, Chancellor of the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, on “The Stages of Humanistic Buddhist Practice.” More than 300 devotees and community members attended.

Drawing from his personal cultivation journey, Venerable Miao Fan explored themes including Buddha-nature, gradual cultivation and sudden awakening, non-retrogression, and realization, emphasizing that Humanistic Buddhist practice is both practical and attainable in daily life.

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan expressed appreciation for the teachings, sharing how the Dharma transformed the perceived separation between “the Buddha” and “myself,” leading to a deeper understanding of the beauty within the teaching, “I am Buddha.”

Venerable Miao Fan explained that the teaching “I am Buddha,” advocated by Fo Guang Shan Founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, is not merely a slogan, but a standard for conduct and self-cultivation. Through continually practicing the “Three Acts of Goodness” and the “Four Givings,” individuals cultivate compassion, wisdom, humility, and self-awareness through everyday interactions.

Addressing afflictions and habitual tendencies, he noted that people often magnify their worries rather than reflect upon them. True cultivation, she explained, begins with self-awareness and transformation. Reflecting on his own experiences learning from Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Venerable Miao Fan encouraged the audience not to mistake “familiarity” for genuine comfort or growth.

Speaking on meditation and daily practice, Venerable Miao Fan described patience as an active form of cultivation. “Patience is not suppression,” she said, “but learning to transform impulses, attachments, and discrimination through wisdom and compassion.”

During the Q&A session, she shared her leadership principle: “Do no harm. Bring joy to others.” Venerable Miao Fan also encouraged young people facing anxiety and emotional struggles to develop self-awareness, confidence, and independent thinking rather than becoming trapped in comparison and external expectations.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, the BLIA Toronto Young Adult Division, together with students from the English Children’s Dharma Class and Chinese School, presented handmade cookies to all mothers attending the event.

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted a Dharma talk by Venerable Miao Fan on “The Stages of Humanistic Buddhist Practice,” attended by more than 300 people.
Venerable Miao Fan explained that “I am Buddha” is not a slogan, but a path of practice through the “Three Acts of Goodness” and the “Four Givings.”
Dr. Jizhang Yi (center), Founding Director of the Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought and Practice at the University of Toronto, also attended the lecture.
The practical and insightful teachings resonated deeply with the audience.
Buddha’s Light members listened attentively to the lecture.
Many attendees photographed the presentation slides during the talk.
Children representatives presented flowers to Venerable Miao Fan in appreciation.
To celebrate Mother’s Day, the BLIA Toronto Young Adult Division, together with students from the English Children’s Dharma Class and Chinese School, prepared handmade cookies for all mothers attending the event.
The audience responded with warm applause at the conclusion of the lecture.