Canadian Faith Communities Mark Passage of Bill C-9 Amendment, Affirming Sacred Symbolism and Religious Freedom

On April 2, diverse cultural and faith communities across Canada gathered to celebrate the passage of the Bill C-9 amendment, which clearly distinguishes the sacred swastika from the Nazi “Hakenkreuz.” The amendment represents a meaningful step forward in protecting religious freedom and strengthening respect for Canada’s multicultural fabric.

Ontario Police Delegation Visits Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto to Deepen Understanding of Buddhist Culture

In today’s multicultural society, fostering religious and cultural literacy among law enforcement has become an essential component of effective community engagement. On April 2, 15 officers from the Ontario Provincial Police and Peel Regional Police—including members from Investigative Services, Operational Services, and Corporate Services—participated in a multi-faith site visit. The group visited Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto to explore Buddhist culture and the principles of Humanistic Buddhism, fostering dialogue and strengthening community collaboration.

Fo Guang Shan Toronto New Volunteer Seminar Deepens Aspiration and Cultivates Humanistic Buddhism Practitioners

To nurture a strong foundation for service and deepen understanding of Humanistic Buddhism, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto held a Volunteer Training Seminar on March 28, welcoming 45 new volunteers. The program offered a comprehensive introduction to the spirit of the “Volunteer Bodhisattva,” the concept of the Monastery, the mission of the Buddha’s Light International Association, and essential Buddhist etiquette. Through video teachings by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, along with presentations by monastics, BLIA Toronto Chapter Vice Presidents, and experienced volunteers, participants were guided to cultivate clarity, stability, and a deeper sense of purpose in service.

BLIA Toronto Da Tzu Subchapter Hosts Estate Planning Seminar at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto

To help the community prepare thoughtfully for life’s uncertainties, the BLIA Toronto Da Tzu Subchapter organized an Estate Planning Fundamentals Seminar on March 14 at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto. The seminar was delivered by Grace Wei, Regional Vice President of MeriTrust Financial, and drew nearly 60 participants, including temple members and their families. The session aimed to provide practical knowledge on estate planning, enabling individuals to arrange their affairs with clarity while easing potential burdens on loved ones.

National Organizing Committee for Canadian Buddhist Heritage Month Visits Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto

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.

Brush and Dharma Unite: Calligraphy Exhibition Honoring Venerable Master Hsing Yun Opens at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto

On March 8, following the Light Offering Inauguration Dharma Service, the calligraphy exhibition “Dharma Teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Classical Chan Poetry — Kai Ming Calligraphy Exhibition” officially opened at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto. The exhibition features works by calligrapher Kai Ming Chui (徐啓明). The ribbon-cutting ceremony drew nearly 400 participants, including Dharma service attendees both onsite and online, as well as about 80 of the artist’s students.

Temple News

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Interfaith Roundtable on Humility Highlights Buddhism’s Principle of Equality Among All Beings

On April 23, Venerable Zhi Shen, representing Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, was invited to participate in an Interfaith Roundtable, joining six representatives from diverse faith traditions in visits to St. Robert Catholic High School and Sacred Heart Catholic High School. More than 70 students engaged in the dialogue, centered on the theme “Humbleness & Humility,” exploring how values of character and faith are understood across traditions.

Interfaith Marriage Forum Brings Together Seven Traditions, Inspiring New Perspectives on Marriage

An Interfaith Marriage Forum held on April 19, 2026, at the Zoroastrian Society of Ontario in North York brought together representatives from seven faith traditions to foster understanding and dialogue on marriage in a multicultural society. Part of the broader “How to Be a Perfect Stranger” interfaith series, the session focused on weddings, offering both practical and spiritual insights into diverse religious practices while opening new perspectives on the meaning of marriage in contemporary society.

A Decade of Compassionate Outreach: Fo Guang Shan Toronto Supports Incarcerated Women

On April 14, Venerable Ru An, Director of the Social Education Department at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, together with Ms. Stephanie Hong, head of the Buddha’s Light Spiritual Care Group, visited the Grand Valley Institution in Kitchener—Ontario’s only federal women’s prison—to launch a four-month spring study program.

Fo Guang Chanting at Trinity College Reframes Sacred Space through Great Compassion Repentance

On April 13, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto was invited to participate in the academic forum “Sacred Space: Finding, Fabricating, Fashioning” at Trinity College, Toronto University. Bringing together scholars, artists, and faith representatives, the forum explored how sacred space is understood and enacted in contemporary society, continuing dialogue from the college chapel’s 70th anniversary in 2025.

Toronto Fo Guang Shan Youth Retreat Cultivates Inner Strength Through “Aspiration and Practice”

In today’s fast-paced and high-pressure world, many young people face uncertainty in their studies, relationships, and future direction. From April 10 to 12, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto hosted the 2026 Youth Temple Life Retreat, themed “Aspiration and Practice,” offering a meaningful space for participants to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves through Buddhist learning and lived experience.