On November 26, a Dharma symposium titled “I Am Not a ‘Dependent’ Monk” was held at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) in Chicago’s Chinatown. Venerable Jue Lin, then Head Priest of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Chicago, was the keynote speaker, with Superintendent Venerable You Heng providing Cantonese translation. Together, they shared Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s secrets to a happy life with nearly 150 seniors in both Mandarin and Cantonese.
As many seniors were encountering FGS for the first time, Venerable Jue Lin began by recounting the challenging journey of establishing the temple and the Master’s grand vision for revitalizing Buddhism. She introduced the “Four Pillars of Fo Guang Shan,” explaining how every activity designed to bring joy to others is rooted in these core objectives. The audience was deeply moved by the Master’s lifelong dedication to the Dharma.
Venerable Jue Lin then introduced the Master’s first book published after his miraculous recovery from a brain hemorrhage, I Am Not a “Dependent” Monk. “Giving” was the Master’s initial aspiration and lifelong practice. By tracing the Master’s spiritual journey—born in hardship, raised in difficulty, yet living a life of joy—the monastics brought a message of immense hope and blessing to the elderly participants, reinforcing the belief that Buddhism offers a path to a fulfilled life.
A highlight of the event was the collective singing of the “Song of Ten Cultivations,” written by Master Hsing Yun. Led by the monastics and set to familiar folk melodies, the seniors clapped and sang along enthusiastically. Venerable Jue Lin analyzed each of the ten cultivation methods, encouraging everyone to adopt them as personal practices. She noted that while these may not immediately transport one to the Western Pure Land, practicing them creates a “Pure Land on Earth” in the present moment.
To conclude, the assembly focused on the “Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings” as the ultimate formula for happiness. The seniors loudly repeated the phrases “Do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts,” vowing to integrate these values into their daily lives. Venerable Jue Lin encouraged everyone to become “spiritually wealthy” by giving others confidence, joy, hope, and convenience.
The session ended with a solemn recitation of the Heart Sutra and “A Prayer for Dispelling Calamities” by Master Hsing Yun. Participants were presented with copies of I Am Not a “Dependent” Monk, 365 Days for Travelers, and Great Compassion Mantra ornaments. CCBA President Yu-Wen Huang expressed deep gratitude and immediately invited the monastics to return for future courses and organized a New Year temple visit for the community.