On September 27–28, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto once again represented Buddha’s Light Publishing (USA) at The Word on the Street, Canada’s largest free outdoor literary festival, held this year at David Pecaut Square. For more than two decades without interruption, the temple has used this platform to present the writings of Fo Guang Shan Founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun and to introduce Humanistic Buddhism to the public.

Led by Localization Team Leader Wilson Yau, nearly 20 volunteers from the BLIA Toronto English subchapter and their families staffed two-day shifts, introducing books, sharing the Dharma, and offering complimentary English booklets to build wholesome affinities with visitors.

The festival promotes reading culture and supports Canadian publishing and local authors, drawing hundreds of publishers, libraries, retailers, and arts organizations each September across major Canadian cities.

At the booth, volunteers highlighted English translations of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s works alongside information on the temple’s location, meditation programs, and English-language Dharma activities. Interest in meditation was especially strong, with the English meditation booklet becoming the most requested material. A large backdrop of the Fo Guang Big Buddha at the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum drew steady foot traffic. One young attendee purchased two of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s books seeking life guidance and expressed a wish to visit Fo Guang Shan’s headquarters in Taiwan as an international volunteer.

First-time volunteers shared that participating in the fair provided meaningful outreach to the English-speaking community and helped more people connect with the temple and Humanistic Buddhism, creating a welcoming bridge between literature and the Dharma.