Sioh-Yang Tan and Ven. Juewei

Research Assistant, Nan Tien Institute / Director of the Humanistic Buddhism Centre, Nan Tien Institute

Fo Guang Shan (FGS) operates one of the most extensive networks of Buddhist temples around the world. This essay reflects on Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s aspiration to spread the Dharma by building temples, and the extent to which his vision of spreading the Dharma to five continents was fulfilled. As a religio-cultural space that can be shared by both monastic and lay, insiders and outsiders, the temples ground the FGS mission of spreading Humanistic Buddhism by creating a shared space and allowing temple goers to transition roles. These roles, which can be overlapping, include visitor, devotee, volunteer, and member.

Sioh-Yang Tan and Ven. Juewei,Studies on Humanistic Buddhism VI : Humanistic Buddhism: Wisdom and Compassion in Action(2024)175-200.COPY