The international Buddhist organization and monastic order Fo Guang Shan, headquartered in Taiwan, reported that esteemed Buddhist nun and scholar Ven. Miao Guang, vice chancellor of the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, recently gave a series of lectures in the United States, visiting Rice University in Houston, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Temple University in Philadelphia between September 27 and October.
“On September 27, Ven. Miao Guang . . . was invited to deliver a lecture at Rice University’s Kyle Morrow Hall in the Fondren Library in Houston. Entitled “A Buddhist Path to Inner Peace and Harmony,” the event marked the first time Fo Guang Shan held a Buddhist lecture on the Rice campus,” Fo Guang Shan told BDG. “On October 4, the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism and the (MIT) School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences co-hosted a panel as part of the TT and WF Chao Distinguished Buddhist Lecture Series, sponsored by the TT and WF Chao Foundation . . . (and) titled “Compassion and Self-Compassion in Buddhism.”
"On October 7, Ven. Miao Guang . . . delivered a lecture in the Department of Religion, College of Liberal Arts, Temple University, at the invitation of Ass. Professor Marcus Bingenheimer. The lecture, titled "Compassion and Tolerance in Times of Socio-Political Unrest," explored how Buddhist values of compassion and inclusion can address modern societal challenges."
Ven. Miao Guang, who is also the director of the English translation project of the DiFo Guang Buddhist Dictionary, served as a personal English interpreter for Fo Guang Shan founder Ven. Master Hsing Yun. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of New South Wales and her master's degree in Buddhist studies from Fo Guang University in Taiwan.
In his speech at Rice University, Ven. Miao Guang explored compassion and its use as a tool to overcome suffering and foster harmonious relationships.
“Drawing on her personal experiences, including facing bullying after immigrating to Australia at age 15, she explained how Buddhist teachings and the wisdom of her mentor, Ven. Master Hsing Yun, guided her to overcome challenges with patience and creativity. Compassion, she stressed, is not just an emotion but a conscious choice to act with kindness,” Fo Guang Shan noted.
The MIT panel featured three distinguished members, with Ven. Miao Guang speaking alongside James Chao, a senior board member of Westlake Chemical Corp and MIT alumnus, and Dr. Marcus Bingenheimer, an associate professor in the Department of Religion at Temple University.
“The forum attracted nearly 200 participants, including professors, students and alumni,” said Fo Guang Shan. “Fo Guang Shan was represented by: Ven. Miao Fan, chancellor of the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanist Buddhism; Fri. Miao Xi, superintendent of Fo Guang Shan IBPS Boston; Fri. You Lin, superintendent of Fo Guang Shan IBPS New York; Fri. Chueh Fa, superintendent of Fo Guang Shan Chung Mei Temple, Houston; and Lydia Chao and other Buddha's Light International Association members from the Texas, Boston and New York chapters.
“Ven. Miao Guang stressed that compassion in Buddhism goes beyond empathy, and involves a deep understanding of shared suffering and the responsibility to take steps to alleviate it.
Speaking at Temple University, Ven. Miao Guang examined the Buddhist humanistic perspective on politics as advocated by Master Hsing Yun, particularly his principle of “concern for politics without interference.”
"(Venerable Miao Guang) stressed the importance of compassion and wisdom in solving social and political problems, rather than avoiding them," Fo Guang Shan explained. "Citing examples such as the founding of the Time of merit Ven. Master Hsing Yun’s journal, she explained how the media can spread positive values and influence society. (She) also referenced historical figures like King Ashoka, showing how Buddhist principles can inspire leaders to govern with compassion rather than violence. . . . Ven. Miao Guang encouraged students to continue advocating for peace, even in difficult circumstances, referencing Gandhi’s example of nonviolent resistance.
Another member of the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, Ven. Zhi Yue, stressed the importance of open-mindedness and peaceful dialogue to respect diverse perspectives and promote harmony. She emphasized that while we cannot hope to completely eliminate social contradictions, individuals could contribute to change by engaging in small positive actions, such as voting or raising awareness.
Fo Guang Shan was founded in Taiwan in 1967 as a Buddhist monastic order by the renowned monk and teacher Master Hsing Yun (1927-2023). The organization now has an international network of Buddhist temples and communities. Promoting the philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism, which focuses on integrating engaged Buddhist practices into daily life, Fo Guang Shan has been recognized for its efforts to modernize Chinese Mahayana Buddhism and for operating one of Taiwan's largest charitable organizations, which conducts charitable and humanitarian work around the world. Master Hsing Yun has previously stated that he views Fo Guang Shan as an "amalgamation of the eight schools of Chinese Buddhism."
Master Hsing Yun is popularly known in Taiwan as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Buddhism, the others being: Master Cheng Yen of Tzu Chi; Master Sheng Yen, founder of Dharma Drum Mountain; and Master Wei Chueh, founder of Chung Tai Shan. These four global Buddhist orders, known as the "Four Great Mountains," have become among the most influential Chinese Buddhist organizations in the world.
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Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism
Fo Guang Shan Monastery
Fo Guang Shan (Facebook)
Hsingyun.org
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The article Sharing Dharma: Ven. Miao Guang of Fo Guang Shan from Taiwan Gives Lecture Series in the United States appeared first on Buddhadoor Global.