Fo Guang Shan (FGS) () is an international
Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhist organization and monastic order based in
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the nort ...
that practices
Humanistic Buddhism
Humanistic Buddhism () is a modern philosophy practiced by Buddhist groups originating from Chinese Buddhism which places an emphasis on integrating Buddhist practices into everyday life and shifting the focus of ritual from the dead to the li ...
. The headquarters,
Fo Guang Shan Monastery
Fo Guang Shan Monastery ( is a Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhist monastery in Dashu District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It is the headquarters of the Fo Guang Shan international organization and the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan.
History
In 1967, Hs ...
is located in
Dashu District
Dashu District () is a suburban district located in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan near the Kaoping River. Fo Guang Shan is one of largest tourist attractions in Dashu District. It is also the base of E-Da World, a new lifestyle destination that encompa ...
,
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung City (Mandarin Chinese: ; Wade–Giles: ''Kao¹-hsiung²;'' Pinyin: ''Gāoxióng'') is a special municipality located in southern Taiwan. It ranges from the coastal urban center to the rural Yushan Range with an area of . Kaohsi ...
, and is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. The organization is also one of the largest charity organizations in Taiwan. The organization's counterpart for laypeople is known as the
Buddha's Light International Association
The Buddha's Light International Association (), commonly known as BLIA, is a monastic and lay organization. BLIA was established by Hsing Yun in 1992. The organization is associated with Fo Guang Shan, the largest Buddhist organization in Taiwan. ...
.
Founded in 1967 by
Hsing Yun
Hsing Yun () (born 19 August 1927) is a Chinese Buddhist monk. He is the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order as well as the affiliated Buddha's Light International Association in Taiwan. Hsing Yun is considered to be one of the most ...
, the order promotes
Humanistic Buddhism
Humanistic Buddhism () is a modern philosophy practiced by Buddhist groups originating from Chinese Buddhism which places an emphasis on integrating Buddhist practices into everyday life and shifting the focus of ritual from the dead to the li ...
and is known for its efforts in the modernization of Chinese Buddhism. The order is famous for its use of technology and its temples are often furnished with the latest equipment.
Hsing Yun's stated position for Fo Guang Shan is that it is an "amalgam of all Eight Schools of Chinese Buddhism" (). The Fo Guang Shan order has an associated college,
Fo Guang University
Fo Guang University (FGU; ; lit. ''Buddha's Light University'') is a private university in Linmei Village, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan. It was founded by the Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhist monastic order Fo Guang Shan in 2000 and as ...
, which offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both
Buddhist Studies
Buddhist studies, also known as Buddhology, is the academic study of Buddhism. The term ''Buddhology'' was coined in the early 20th century by the Unitarian minister Joseph Estlin Carpenter to mean the "study of Buddhahood, the nature of the Budd ...
and secular fields.
In Taiwan, Hsing Yun is popularly referred to as one of the "
Four Heavenly Kings
The Four Heavenly Kings are four Buddhist gods, each of whom is believed to watch over one cardinal direction of the world. In Chinese mythology, they are known collectively as the "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" () or "Sìdà Tiānwáng" (). In the ...
" and Fo Guang Shan is considered one of the "
Four Great Mountains" or four major Buddhist organizations of Taiwanese Buddhism, along with
Dharma Drum Mountain
Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM; ) is an international Buddhist spiritual, cultural, and educational foundation founded by late Chan master Sheng-yen (1931 – 2009). The center focuses on educating the public in Buddhism with the goal of improving th ...
,
Tzu Chi
Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation, known for short as the Tzu Chi Foundation ( zh, t=佛教慈濟慈善事業基金會, p=Fójiào Cí Jì Císhàn Shìyè Jījīn Huì, l=Buddhist Compassionate Relief Charity Foundation), is a Taiwanese in ...
, and
Chung Tai Shan
Chung Tai Shan () is a Taiwan-based international Chan Buddhist monastic order founded by the Ven. Wei Chueh in 1987. The monastery headquarters, Chung Tai Chan Monastery (or Chung Tai Chan Buddhist Temple, 中台禪寺), completed in September ...
.
History
In 1967,
Hsing Yun
Hsing Yun () (born 19 August 1927) is a Chinese Buddhist monk. He is the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order as well as the affiliated Buddha's Light International Association in Taiwan. Hsing Yun is considered to be one of the most ...
purchased more than 30 hectares in
Dashu Township,
Kaohsiung County as the site for the construction of a monastery. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on 16 May 1967.
Fo Guang Shan embarked on many construction projects, including university buildings, shrines, and a cemetery. In 1975, Fo Guang Shan's 36-metre tall statue of
Amitābha Buddha
Amitābha ( sa, अमिताभ, IPA: ), also known as Amitāyus, is the primary Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism. In Vajrayana Buddhism, he is known for his longevity, discernment, pure perception, purification of aggregates, and deep awaren ...
was consecrated. In 1981, 15 years after its establishment, the Great Hero Hall was built. During these times, many other Fo Guang Shan temples outside the order's mother monastery were also built.
![Aerial View of Fo Guang Shan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Aerial_View_of_Fo_Guang_Shan.png)
In May 1997, Hsing Yun announced that he would close the mountain gate of Fo Guang Shan to the general public. His reason in closing the monastery was to give monastics the cloistered atmosphere they need for their Buddhist practice. In practice, many Chinese monasteries have also closed their mountain gates to give a cloistered atmosphere to the temple residents.
At the end of 2000, then President
Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian (; born 12 October 1950) is a retired Taiwanese politician and lawyer who served as the president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2000 to 2008. Chen was the first president from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) whic ...
of the Republic of China and government officials from
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung City (Mandarin Chinese: ; Wade–Giles: ''Kao¹-hsiung²;'' Pinyin: ''Gāoxióng'') is a special municipality located in southern Taiwan. It ranges from the coastal urban center to the rural Yushan Range with an area of . Kaohsi ...
visited Fo Guang Shan, bringing with them the wish from their constituents that Fo Guang Shan reopen its mountain gate. After due consideration, Fo Guang Shan decided to reopen the monastery to some extent, thereby providing the public a place to practice
Pure Land Buddhism
Pure Land Buddhism (; ja, 浄土仏教, translit=Jōdo bukkyō; , also referred to as Amidism in English,) is a broad branch of Mahayana Buddhism focused on achieving rebirth in a Buddha's Buddha-field or Pure Land. It is one of the most wid ...
. On top of its headquarters being the largest monastery in Taiwan, it has a network of over 300 branches throughout Taiwan.
Fo Guang Shan entered
mainland China
"Mainland China" is a geopolitical term defined as the territory governed by the People's Republic of China (including islands like Hainan or Chongming), excluding dependent territories of the PRC, and other territories within Greater China. ...
in the early 21st century, focusing more on charity and Chinese cultural revival rather than Buddhist propagation in order to avoid conflict with the
Chinese Communist Party
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), officially the Communist Party of China (CPC), is the founding and One-party state, sole ruling party of the China, People's Republic of China (PRC). Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, the CCP emerged victoriou ...
, which opposes religion. Fo Guang Shan's presence in China increased under the presidency of General Secretary
Xi Jingping after he started a program to revive traditional Chinese faiths.
As of 2017, the order had over 1,000 monks and nuns, and over 1 million followers worldwide, with branches in fifty countries.
Activities
Temples and organizations have been established in 173 countries throughout the world, and now encompasses more than 3,500 monastics. The organization emphasizes education and service, maintaining universities, Buddhist colleges, libraries, publishing houses, translation centres, Buddhist art galleries, teahouses, and mobile medical clinics. It has also established a children's room, retirement home, high school and television station.
Social and medical programs
The social and medical programs of Fo Guang Shan include a free medical clinic with mobile units that serve remote villages, an annual winter relief program organized to distribute warm clothing and food supplies to the needy, a children's and seniors' home, wildlife conservation areas to protect living creatures, and a cemetery for the care of the deceased. Fo Guang Shan's social work focuses primarily on helping the poor in remote areas.
The organization also runs orphanages, homes for the elderly, and drug rehabilitation programs in prisons. Fo Guang Shan has also been involved in some international relief efforts.
Educational programs
![Sutra Repository](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Sutra_Repository.jpg)
The educational programs of Fo Guang Shan include four Buddhist colleges, three regular colleges, and various community colleges. The
Fo Guang University
Fo Guang University (FGU; ; lit. ''Buddha's Light University'') is a private university in Linmei Village, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan. It was founded by the Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhist monastic order Fo Guang Shan in 2000 and as ...
was established in 2000. It focuses mainly on the humanities and social sciences. The Chinese Buddhist research institute is subdivided into four separate departments; a women's and men's college, and an international and English Buddhist studies department. Tuition fees and lodging are provided by Fo Guang Shan, free of charge. Other prominent universities the order has established include
Nanhua University
Nanhua University (NHU; ) is a university located in Dalin Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan. Founded in 1996 as the Nanhua College of Management, it was elevated to university status in 1999. The university was founded by the Buddhist monk Hs ...
in Taiwan and the
University of the West
University of the West (UWest) is a private, non-sectarian, Buddhist-affiliated university in Rosemead, California. It was founded in 1990 by Hsing Yun, founder of the Taiwan-based Buddhist order Fo Guang Shan and Hsi Lai Temple, the North Amer ...
in the United States.
The organization also operates
Pu-Men High School
Pu-Men High School (Fo Guang Shan Pu-Men High School) (Traditional Chinese: 普門中學 or 佛光山私立普門中學) is a private Buddhist high school located in Dashu District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The school is affiliated with the Fo Guang S ...
in Taipei, Jiun Tou Elementary and Junior High School, Humanities Primary and Junior High School, which provides regular curriculum for students. Fo Guang Shan also has nursery schools,
kindergartens
Kindergarten is a preschool educational approach based on playing, singing, practical activities such as drawing, and social interaction as part of the transition from home to school. Such institutions were originally made in the late 18th cent ...
, and Sunday schools for children.
Along with
Tzu Chi
Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation, known for short as the Tzu Chi Foundation ( zh, t=佛教慈濟慈善事業基金會, p=Fójiào Cí Jì Císhàn Shìyè Jījīn Huì, l=Buddhist Compassionate Relief Charity Foundation), is a Taiwanese in ...
, Fo Guang Shan is the only major Buddhist organization in Taiwan that offers some form of strictly secular education, as opposed to purely religious.
In mainland China, Fo Guang Shan operates numerous cultural education programs and has built several libraries, even having gotten several books published through state controlled media.
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Building plans for the
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
The Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (), formerly known as the Buddha Memorial Center, is a Mahāyāna Buddhist cultural, religious, and educational museum located in Dashu District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The museum is affiliated with Fo Guang Shan ...
(formerly called the Buddha Memorial Center) started with support from the Taiwanese government. The museum's Jade Buddha Shrine is purported to hold
tooth relics of the historic Buddha. The site is situated immediately adjacent to the main monastery and covers more than 100 hectares. The complex faces east and is built along a central axial line. Beyond the Welcoming Hall are eight Chinese-styled pagodas on either side of the main avenue leading up to the Bodhi Square, about which are statues of the Buddha's main disciples and of the founders of the principal schools of Chinese Buddhism. The path leads onto the Memorial Hall, which holds several shrines including the Jade Buddha Shrine. Above the hall are four stupas that symbolize the
Four Noble Truths. Standing behind but separate from it, there is an enormous seated metal Shakyamuni Buddha 108 meters high. The Center was opened at an international ceremony on 25 December 2011 and the first anniversary celebrated on Christmas Day 2012.
Religious Affairs Committee
In 1972, Hsing Yun established a nine-member council, known as the Fo Guang Shan Religious Affairs Committee. These nine members govern the monastery and the order. The members are elected prior to the resignation, death, or the ending of a term of an abbot. Once elected by members of Fo Guang Shan, the votes are openly counted. The nine members then nominate their next abbot. Eight members of the council are ordained monastics, and one is a layperson.
Abbots
Unlike a traditional Mahayana Buddhist monastery, where the incumbent abbot usually selects his successor, Fo Guang Shan directly elects an abbot to head the Order and its temple branches worldwide. The head of the FGS order and all of its branches is the abbot of
Fo Guang Shan Monastery
Fo Guang Shan Monastery ( is a Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhist monastery in Dashu District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It is the headquarters of the Fo Guang Shan international organization and the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan.
History
In 1967, Hs ...
. The abbot is the chairperson of the Religious Affairs Committee, serving a term of six years, with one reappointment by popular vote and, under exceptional circumstances, a second reappointment by two-thirds vote. The abbot is elected by all members of Fo Guang Shan through public vote. The abbot-elect then begins to use their "inner name", in place of his/her own
dharma name
A Dharma name or Dhamma name is a new name acquired during both lay and monastic Buddhist initiation rituals in Mahayana Buddhism and monastic ordination in Theravada Buddhism (where it is more proper to call it Dhamma or Sangha name). The nam ...
, with the first character being ''Hsin'' ("心", ''xin'', or heart). In fact, all monastics of Fo Guang Shan have such a name, and several Elders also use theirs publicly. At the beginning of the year, the abbot-elect is inaugurated as the new director of Fo Guang Shan through a
dharma transmission ceremony, receiving the robe and bowl.
Hsing Yun is the only abbot to have served as such for more than two terms, and was not elected by the RAC. In the case of Venerable Hsin Ping (who was originally Venerable Zhizong), he was also not officially elected, as he was Hsing Yun's designated heir apparent. After Hsin Ping died, the vice director of Fo Guang Shan, Hsin Ting (originally Venerable Zhidu), was immediately elevated to serve the remaining years of Hsin Ping's term. Abbots have been elected according to FGS's constitution since then.
As with Hsing Yun, former abbots do not leave the order when they retire. They continue to make Dharma talks throughout the world and become head teachers of the order in their later years.
Dharma propagation
Dharma
Dharma (; sa, धर्म, dharma, ; pi, dhamma, italic=yes) is a key concept with multiple meanings in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and others. Although there is no direct single-word translation for '' ...
programs of Fo Guang Shan include lectures given in prisons and factories; programs on television and radio, large-scale public lectures in Taiwan and overseas, and the
five precepts
The Five precepts ( sa, pañcaśīla, italic=yes; pi, pañcasīla, italic=yes) or five rules of training ( sa, pañcaśikṣapada, italic=yes; pi, pañcasikkhapada, italic=yes) is the most important system of morality for Buddhist lay peo ...
initiation given twice a year at the monastery.
All branches of Fo Guang Shan organize pilgrimages to bring devotees to the monastery from different parts of Taiwan and overseas. Once pilgrims arrive, they are free to make use of all of the different activities that are open to the general public.
In mainland China, the order focuses on cultural exchange rather than religion as a way to introduce Buddhist ideas, as proselytizing is illegal in China.
Fo Guang Shan's approach to Dharma propagation focuses on simplifying Buddhism in order to make it more appealing to the masses. The organization is known for utilizing modern marketing techniques and methods to preach such as the use of laser shows and multimedia displays.
Fo Guang Shan temples have no entrance fee, and do not allow many of the practices commonly found in other Chinese temples, such as fortune-telling or the presence of sales vendors.
Despite the popularity of the organization, Fo Guang Shan has received criticism for being "too focused on commercialism, expanding its membership base, and building large temples." (Schak and Hsiao)
Objectives
* To propagate Buddhist teachings through cultural activities
* To foster talent through education
* To benefit society through charitable programs
* To purify human hearts and minds through Buddhist practice
Mottos
Official motto
The Four Verses of Fo Guang Shan and BLIA
*May kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity pervade all worlds;
*May we cherish and build affinities to benefit all beings;
*May Chan, Pure Land, and Precepts inspire equality and patience;
*May our humility and gratitude give rise to great vows.
BLIA guidelines
* Offer others confidence
* Offer others joy
* Offer others hope
* Offer others convenience
Abbots and directors
File:星雲大師2009IBPS.jpg, Hsing Yun
Hsing Yun () (born 19 August 1927) is a Chinese Buddhist monk. He is the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order as well as the affiliated Buddha's Light International Association in Taiwan. Hsing Yun is considered to be one of the most ...
(1967–1985)
File:No image.svg, Hsin Ping
Hsin Ping () (30 June 1938 - 7 April 1995) was the fourth and fifth abbot of Fo Guang Shan and the dharma heir to Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan.
Venerable Hsin Ping entered the Buddhist sangha in 1963. Hsin Ping went on to receive the pre ...
(1985–1995)
File:Venerable Hsin Ting At Hsi Lai Temple, 2012.png, Hsin Ting
Hsin Ting (; born February 2, 1944) is a Buddhist monk from Taiwan who served as the sixth-term abbot and director of Fo Guang Shan from 1997 to 2005. He served as acting abbot for three years after the sudden death of his predecessor, Hsin Ping, i ...
(1997–2005)
File:心培和尚.JPG, Hsin Pei
Hsin Pei (; born March 13, 1970) was the seventh and eighth term abbot and director of the Fo Guang Shan, an international Chinese Buddhist
Chinese Buddhism or Han Buddhism ( zh, s=汉传佛教, t=漢傳佛教, p=Hànchuán Fójiào) is a ...
(2005–2013)
File:2010Jul11慧濟法師.JPG, Hsin Bao
(2013–present)
Branches
*
Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, Philippines
*
Zu Lai Temple
The Zu Lai Temple (in Chinese, 如來寺, in Portuguese, "Templo Zu Lai", lit. ''Tathāgata Temple'') is a Buddhist temple in Cotia, São Paulo, Brazil. It is the largest Buddhist temple in South America with 10,000 square meters of constructed ...
, Cotia, Brazil
*
Chung Tian Temple
Chung Tian Temple () is a Chan Buddhist temple located at 1034 Underwood Road, Priestdale, Queensland. The temple is part of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist monastic order. Construction of the temple began in January 1991 and it opened in June 19 ...
, Queensland, Australia
*
Hsi Lai Temple, California, USA
*
Nan Hua Temple
Nan Hua Temple (南華寺, ''Nanhua Si'') is the largest Buddhist temple and seminary in Africa, and is situated in the Cultura Park suburb of Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa. It is the African headquarters of the '' Fo Guang Shan'' (Buddha's ...
, South Africa
*
Nan Tien Temple
Nan Tien Temple () is a Buddhist temple complex located in Berkeley, on the southern outskirts of the Australian city of Wollongong, approximately south of Sydney.
Nan Tien is one of the branch temples of the Taiwanese Fo Guang Shan Buddhis ...
, Berkeley, Australia
*
Fo Guang Shan Temple, Auckland
The Fo Guang Shan Temple of Auckland is a temple and community centre of the Fo Guang Shan Chinese Buddhist movement in the East Tāmaki/Flat Bush suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. The temple and complex were built over seven years. It was desi ...
, New Zealand
*
Fo Guang Shan Temple, Toronto
Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto () was built to serve as a cultural, educational, community and spiritual centre for Chinese Buddhism and those interested in Buddhist teachings and practice. Founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1991 and comp ...
, Canada
*
Guang Ming Temple, Central Florida, USA
*
London Fo Guang Shan Temple
The London Fo Guang Shan Temple is located at 84 Margaret Street, London W1, England. It was established in 1992 and is also known as International Buddhist Progress Society. It is one of two British branches of Fo Guang Shan Order, Taiwan.
The ...
, UK
See also
*
Buddhism in Taiwan
Buddhism is one of the major religions of Taiwan. Taiwanese people predominantly practice Mahayana Buddhism, Confucian principles, local practices and Taoist tradition. Roles for religious specialists from both Buddhist and Taoist traditions exi ...
*
Four Great Mountains (Taiwan) The Four Great Mountains of Taiwan refers to a group of four prominent organizations in Taiwanese Buddhism. The term draws its name from the Four Sacred Mountains of China, four mountains in mainland China that each hold sacred Chinese Buddhist si ...
*
Four Heavenly Kings (Taiwan)
The Four Heavenly Kings of Taiwan refers to four masters in Taiwanese Buddhism who each founded an influential Buddhist institution in the country. The term draws its name from the Four Heavenly Kings who each rule over one of the heavenly realms ...
*
Linji school
The Línjì school () is a school of Chan Buddhism named after Linji Yixuan (d. 866). It took prominence in Song China (960–1279), spread to Japan as the Rinzai school and influenced the nine mountain schools of Korean Seon.
History
Song d ...
*
Buddha's Light International Association
The Buddha's Light International Association (), commonly known as BLIA, is a monastic and lay organization. BLIA was established by Hsing Yun in 1992. The organization is associated with Fo Guang Shan, the largest Buddhist organization in Taiwan. ...
*
Beautiful Life Television
Beautiful Life Television (BLTV), known as Buddha's Light Television from 1997 to 2002, is a non-profit, faith-based television station in Taiwan owned by the Fo Guang Shan Dharma TV Foundation and founded by the Buddhist master Hsing Yun in 19 ...
*
Fo Guang University
Fo Guang University (FGU; ; lit. ''Buddha's Light University'') is a private university in Linmei Village, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan. It was founded by the Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhist monastic order Fo Guang Shan in 2000 and as ...
*
University of the West
University of the West (UWest) is a private, non-sectarian, Buddhist-affiliated university in Rosemead, California. It was founded in 1990 by Hsing Yun, founder of the Taiwan-based Buddhist order Fo Guang Shan and Hsi Lai Temple, the North Amer ...
References
Bibliography
* Chandler, Stuart (2002)
Globalizing Chinese Culture, Localizing Buddhist Teachings: the Internationalization of Foguangshan Journal of Global Buddhism 3, 46–78
* Chandler, Stuart (2004). Establishing a Pure Land on Earth: The Foguang Buddhist Perspective on Modernization and Globalization. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press
External links
*
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{{Authority control
Religious organizations established in 1967
Buddhist orders
Buddhist organizations based in Taiwan