To commemorate the enlightenment of Sakyamuni Buddha, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Chicago organized a series of Dharma Day activities, including the distribution of Laba congee on January 6 and a symposium on the Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun on January 14.
On January 6, under the guidance of Superintendent Venerable You Heng, FGS youth and volunteers prepared over 500 portions of Laba congee. To show gratitude for their support of the local overseas Chinese community, Abbess Venerable Yung Han, Chapter President Ke-Ying Wang, Superintendent Mai-Ping Chou, and Directors Hsing-Ming Li and Lina Chen braved a snowstorm to deliver hot congee to the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Chicago. They also presented Director Chi-Ying Tsai and Deputy Director Yi-Chen Chen with copies of 365 Days for Travelers, the Between Ignorance and Enlightenment series, New Year calendars, and the Master’s calligraphy couplets.
On January 14, despite a severe blizzard, nearly 100 BLIA members, youth, and friends gathered for the Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun symposium and a bilingual Dharma quiz. The event highlighted the Master’s encouragement to read with the “six senses” and to listen deeply to gain wisdom. During the sharing session, Mai-Ping Chou discussed “Cultivation through Non-attainment” from The Secret of Success: The Diamond Sutra; Secretary General Hui Wang shared thoughts on “Living Without Attachment”; and Third Subchapter Vice President Bin Wang spoke on the “Infinite Merit of Non-phase Almsgiving.” From the English group, FGS youth David Wang shared reflections on Footprints in the Ganges: The Buddha’s Stories on Cultivation and Compassion.
The interactive quiz session was a highlight of the day. The Chinese portion, hosted by First Subchapter Vice President Chun-Yong Li, focused on the “Three Acts of Goodness” and “Four Givings.” The English portion, hosted by Mark Kanter, featured a Jeopardy-style game designed by Edna Haverkos, covering topics from FGS textbooks to the history of the temple’s founding.
President Ke-Ying Wang remarked that the Master’s writings are accessible yet profound, encouraging everyone to practice the Dharma in daily life. Participants Edna Haverkos and Trudie Kanter expressed joy in the team’s energy and the meaningful way the community learned together.
Abbess Venerable Yung Han praised the creativity and deep Buddhist knowledge shown by the youth, noting it as a sign of successful faith legacy. She emphasized that Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s selfless spirit has spread the beauty of Humanistic Buddhism globally and urged everyone to continue transmitting the light, joy, and hope of the Dharma to others.