To propagate the Humanistic Buddhism teachings of the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Fo Guang Shan Chicago hosted a three-week online seminar series on the book The Transmission of the Lamp: Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Humanistic Buddhism, starting June 13. The series specially invited Venerable Miao Fan, Dean of the FGS Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, along with a team of FGS monastics and Meng-Hua Cai, Chief Editor of The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, to provide an in-depth reading guide, leading the public to experience the core concepts and practical spirit of the Master’s teachings.
Recognizing the significance of this work, Venerable Yung Han, Head Priest of Fo Guang Shan Chicago, invited Venerable Miao Fan to deliver the inaugural lecture on June 13, attracting over 120 BLIA members from across North America. Venerable Miao Fan introduced the Master’s ideological system and its application in contemporary society in a vivid and profound manner, resulting in a successful session with enthusiastic feedback.
In the preface to The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Master noted that the collection records his lifelong journey of propagating the Dharma, covering temple construction, monastic education, school founding, the establishment of associations, care for the underprivileged, and social services—representing a multifaceted achievement of a life dedicated to society. In gratitude for the Master’s grace, his disciples decided to use the “Ten Contributions of Venerable Master Hsing Yun in Promoting Humanistic Buddhism,” proposed by Professor Cheng Gongrang of Nanjing University, as the editorial principle for The Transmission of the Lamp. This approach aims to systematically promote the Master’s philosophy, helping readers grasp the essence of his thought with greater clarity.
During the lecture, Venerable Miao Fan pointed out that The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun can be regarded as the “Sutra” (teachings) of Humanistic Buddhism; the Regulations of Fo Guang Shan as the “Vinaya” (precepts); and The Transmission of the Lamp as the “Abhidharma” (commentaries). Together, these three complement each other, allowing the “Tripitaka” (Three Baskets) of Humanistic Buddhism to be fully presented. The Venerable further used FGS propagation examples to explain how the Master established the theoretical framework of Humanistic Buddhism from four perspectives: “connotation,” “form,” “wisdom,” and “definition.” She emphasized that the publication of this set of books is only the beginning and encouraged both monastics and laypeople to continue studying and propagating the Master’s thought.
In her concluding remarks, Venerable Yung Han encouraged the assembly: “Deeply understanding the core concepts of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Humanistic Buddhism is the responsibility and mission of today’s Buddhist practitioners. Passing on the lamp is not just about recording the past, but about welcoming the future—continuing the Master’s spirit so that the Dharma can respond to the needs of the human heart, guiding more people onto the path of compassion and equality.”