Dear Dharma protectors and friends,
Auspicious blessings
“The renewal of all phenomena brings prosperous fortunes, the unity across all endeavors realizes grand vision.” As we enter the Year of the Horse, this year marks the 60th anniversary of Fo Guang Shan as well as the 100th birth anniversary of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Founding Master of Fo Guang Shan. On behalf of the global monastic community of Fo Guang Shan, I, Hsin Bau, extend the Venerable Master’s New Year blessing “Harmony and Co-Existence, Galloping Towards Success.” May all enjoy well-being as we share kind intentions for others; and may we walk into a beautiful future with co-existence and co-prosperity.
Looking back at the past year, we commemorated the second anniversary of the passing of our most beloved Venerable Master on February 12 (Lantern Festival). Fo Guang Shan held the “Commemoration Ceremony for the Fo Guang Shan Founding Master—Ven. Master Hsing Yun’s Passing Away” at the Patriarch Hall, which 1,800 devotees and BLIA members gathered to remember the Venerable Master. Dajue Temple, the Ancestral Temple of Fo Guang Shan, as well as domestic and overseas departments also held memorial concerts, performing “Sounds of the Human World” songs in tribute to the Venerable Master.
Subsequently, during the Fo Guang Shan Founding Master—Ven. Master Hsing Yun’s Renunciation Day & Devotees’ Gathering, the 11th Board of Directors were sworn in, vowing to uphold the philosophy of Fo Guang Shan, advance the foundation of the path, and fulfill the trust of the monastery. The Board has passed a resolution that during the Fo Guang Shan Founding Master—Ven. Master Hsing Yun Memorial Day, a commemoration Dharma service is to be held on every Lunar January 15th, and Yangzhou-style dumplings should be offered to the assembly. Furthermore, during the Ven. Master Hsing Yun’s Renunciation Day & Devotees’ Gathering on Lunar February 1st, pickled-vegetable mealboxes should be offered to the assembly to express gratitude for the Venerable Master’s kindness and to renew one’s vow to propagate Humanistic Buddhism.
Continuing the Venerable Master’s great aspiration to promote interreligious dialogue and disseminate the Buddha’s teachings, the United Association of Humanistic Buddhism, Chunghua organized a “Chunghwa Buddhist Delegation to Korea” in June. In October, Fo Guang Shan was invited to the 60th Anniversary of the Nostra Aetate at the Vatican, where the Venerable Master’s New Year calligraphy was presented to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, conveying a shared prayer for world peace. That same month, at the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) World General Conference, I delivered a keynote address on “Harmony and Peace,” echoing the Master’s teaching of the Five Harmonies, encouraging BLIA members to first achieve individual harmony through joy, and expand it to attaining family harmony through deference, interpersonal harmony through respect, social harmony through cooperation, and world harmony through peace.
In the face of rapid global change and the rise of AI, the monastic and lay communities of Fo Guang Shan continue to adhere to the Four Objectives of culture, education, charity, and spiritual cultivation, bringing innovation and diligence into Dharma propagation and service to all beings. With compassion and wisdom, we bring light to the world, illuminate the direction for the present, and hope for the future.
●Promoting the Dharma through Arts and Culture
For arts and culture, China Art Museum (Shanghai Art Museum) and Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Headquarters jointly installed the “Star and Clouds: Calligraphy Exhibition by Venerable Master Hsing Yun” at the China Art Museum, Shanghai early last year. The exhibition was accompanied by art lectures and musical performances, showcasing the sentiments behind every brush and ink. Furthermore, the Art Gallery collaborated with the Yangzhou Grand Canal Museum on the “Boats on the Canal: Immersive Exhibition of Boat Culture from the China Grand Canal Museum” in memory of the Venerable Master’s contribution to cross-strait exchanges. Next, the FGS Monastic Art Exhibition entered its ninth year with the theme “Touched by the Three Acts of Goodness,” where both monastic and lay assemblies celebrated together with selected works touring internationally.
In May, after two years of compilation, the Fo Guang Shan Board of Directors formally published the Light Transmission Record of Humanistic Buddhism by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, guiding readers to a deeper understanding of the Venerable Master’s philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism. In June, the simplified Chinese edition of A History of Chinese Buddhist Literature, published by SDX Joint Publishing through Shanghai Dajue Culture, made a landmark contribution to cross-strait academic research.
On the subject of transmitting the Dharma, translation remains a vital bridge across cultures. Responding to digital trends, the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism and BLIA co-developed the world’s first Buddhist real-time text summarization and translation system. Moreover, the International Translation Center has published 800 translated volumes in 21 languages. The Thaihua Translation Center of Buddhist Texts founded by Fo Guang Shan Thaihua Temple continues the translation of the Venerable Master’s works and Buddhist sutras into Thai, earning recognition from the Thai government and serving as a model for dialogue between Northern and Southern Buddhist traditions. The English translation of the Fo Guang Buddhist Dictionary has surpassed 15,000 entries. These achievements lay a solid linguistic foundation for the global dissemination of Humanistic Buddhism.
In humanities and media, Beautiful Life Television (BLTV) will complete the documentary For Humanity this year after two years of filming, preserving invaluable historical footage. The Merit Times continues its digital transformation, launching the “Merit Cloud” platform, integrating the Venerable Master’s teachings to guide contemporary life. Inspired by the Master’s novel National Master Yulin, a web mini-drama Hearts Stirred Across Lifetimes is scheduled for release this year. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Merit Times, the “Eternal Star Cultural Concert” was held at Taipei Zhongshan Hall, also dedicating prayers to victims of the Myanmar–Thailand earthquake. The Merit Times is now distributed in Taiwan, Indonesia, U.S.A, Canada, Brazil, and Australia, reaching over one million readers weekly.
Using culture and the arts as a medium, the Buddha Museum hosted a wide range of exhibitions and performances. In May, a cooperation and exchange agreement was signed with the Tainan National University of the Arts. In July, the special exhibition “Buddha’s Light Treasures: Exploring Sutra Printing House” was held, commemorating the 30-year profound connection between Venerable Master Hsing Yun and the Jinling Sutra Publishing House. The exhibition marked the first public display of the carved woodblocks of Venerable Master’s “An Honest Revelation: An Open Letter,” along with precious carved Buddhist sutras. In August, the original stage play Sutra Carving by the Nanjing Theatre Company received an enthusiastic response. During the same month, the “International Conference on ‘Boundless Ocean of the Dharma Treasury: Images, Sound, and Textual Dissemination of Buddhism’” was convened, further manifesting the great aspiration of propagating the Dharma through culture.
In November, in collaboration with the National Museum of China, the Buddha Museum presented the “Magnificence and Grandeur: Immersive Experience of Grotto Art” exhibition. The National Palace Museum’s musical Luduan, was also staged in the same month, enabling the public to appreciate the art of China’s Five Great Grottoes and the beauty of Chinese culture. In December, the exhibition “A Smile Through Millennia Special Exhibition of Maijishan Grottoes” was unveiled. Together with “Magnificence and Grandeur,” these exhibitions marked a new and fulfilling chapter in the presentation of Chinese grotto art at the Buddha Museum.
Additionally, Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple, Australia, hosted the inaugural “Enlighten Film Festival” in April. To further promote Dharma propagation through music and encourage vegetarianism and carbon reduction, the Chunghwa Young Adult Division of the Buddha’s Light International Association (YAD BLIA) organized the first “Three Good Music Festival” and Fo Guang Good Market, engaging diverse communities and creating new affinities for the dissemination of Buddhist wisdom.
●Nurturing Diverse Talents Through Education
In terms of sangha education, Fo Guang Shan’s 17th Buddhist college—the Indonesian Buddhist College—opened and began instruction in January. It was officially inaugurated in March with a forum on “Exploring the Cultivation of Future Buddhist Talent.” In November, STABN Raden Wijaya and Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University signed a memorandum of understanding, opening a new chapter in the revival of Indonesian Buddhism. Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University continues to advance its “Off-Campus Study Program,” dispatching students to study in Australia, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Mainland China (Yixing), Taiwan, and other locations, cultivating Dharma propagators with an international perspective.
In the deepening of Humanistic Buddhism thought, numerous significant academic exchanges took place throughout the year. Fo Guang Shan Singapore, Humanistic Buddhism Research Centre at Universiti Malaya, and Guang Ming College of Fo Guang Shan Philippines jointly hosted the “Humanistic Buddhism Studies Series 3rd International Scholar Conference” at Guang Ming College, bringing together scholars from 12 countries and regions. In July, Peking University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism co-organized the “Academic Conference on Buddhist Hermeneutics and the Doctrinal System of Humanistic Buddhism.” In August, Japan’s Hosuiji Temple established a Center of Humanistic Buddhism and held the first “Young Buddhist Scholars International Forum.” In October, Fo Guang Shan Singapore and Universiti Malaya jointly hosted a Youth Forum, showcasing the younger generation’s enthusiasm and concern for religion, humanities, and technology. In November, the Venerable Master Hsing Yun Digital Humanities Research and Development Center, together with Fo Guang University, convened the “Wisdom × Humanities: 2025 Digital Humanities and AI Interdisciplinary Exploration Forum,” examining the challenges and opportunities generative AI presents to higher education in Taiwan.
It was joyous to share that 70 percent of the 15 graduates from the Seeds of Hope Program, administered by the Fo Guang Shan Foundation for Buddhist Culture and Education, were admitted to national universities, including two students who entered the Departments of Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering at National Taiwan University through special admissions programs. This was an unprecedented accomplishment. The Three Acts of Goodness School Program also demonstrated outstanding results overseas. In the Philippines, Fo Guang Shan’s initiatives were formally recognized by the Sagay City Education Office. New Zealand Fo Guang Shan’s “3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing” entered its 11th year, collaborating with the police department to deliver 34 educational sessions attended by over 4,500 students. Meanwhile, Africa’s first Three Acts of Goodness School was established at Naturena Primary School in Johannesburg, South Africa, drawing enthusiastic participation from more than 1,000 teachers and students.
To set positive role models, the Venerable Master Hsing Yun Public Education Trust Fund continued supporting cultural and educational initiatives. Last year, 287 schools across Taiwan were selected as the 14th Three Acts of Goodness Practice Schools, with 15 schools receiving the distinction of Three Acts of Goodness Lighthouse Schools. The 13th Hsing Yun Award for Education honored 20 exemplary educators for their outstanding contributions. The 15th Hsing Yun Award for Global Chinese Literature recognized and awarded 28 distinguished writers. In June, the foundation co-hosted the 4th Truth–Goodness–Beauty Media Training Camp with the Chinese Culture Promotion Association, aiming to inspire future media professionals to bring positive energy into society.
In social education, since the founding of the Fo Guang Shan University Consortium have remained deeply rooted in society while actively engaging internationally. In November, the 7th Fo Guang Shan University Presidents Forum brought together experts and scholars from 52 universities across 16 countries and regions, resulting in the signing of 57 bilateral Memorandums of Understanding to advance the sustainable development of Buddhist higher education. Attendees included President Yung Chaur-shin, Vice President Tsong-Ming Lin, and the presidents of the five universities: Chao Han-Chieh (Fo Guang University), Kao Chin-Hsung (Nanhua University), Minh-Hoa Ta (University of the West), Denise Kirkpatrick and incoming president Alistair Noble (Nan Tien Institute), and Michal Tan (Guang Ming College), demonstrating the unity of the “Five Universities as One.”
Under the collective efforts of the five university presidents, each institution achieved remarkable results. Fo Guang University partnered with industry to develop AI smart platforms and language application systems, established international certification testing centers, expanded digital and sustainability education, and strengthened international cooperation across Thailand, Japan, and Korea, while also co-establishing diversified learning centers with the National Open University. Nanhua University launched the world’s only Digital Learning In-Service Master’s Program in Humanistic Buddhism, promoting senior health, sports injury prevention, and Three Acts of Goodness baseball, while cultivating talent in sports and health through local engagement. Overseas, the University of the West in the U.S.A. introduced a Chinese Master of Arts in Religious Studies program to nurture international scholars. Nan Tien Institute in Australia continued strengthening local and global connections, with its Humanistic Buddhism Centre celebrating its 10th anniversary through the release of the e-publication From Aspiration to Impact: Humanistic Buddhism in Action. In the Philippines, the Guang Ming Chan Monastery and the Guang Ming College Affiliated Elementary and Secondary Schools were officially inaugurated, marking a historic milestone for Humanistic Buddhism in the country.
Pumen High School also delivered outstanding performance. Its senior high division introduced the IBM SkillsBuild self-directed learning platform to foster autonomous learning skills for the AI era. Students achieved excellent results at the 2025 IEYI World Youth Invention Exhibition: Taiwan Selection, winning 1 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze medals, and 4 honorable mentions, demonstrating innovative teaching and practical competence.
In Dharma propagation through sports, the BLIA Cup University Basketball Tournament entered its 12th year, with 16 university teams from six countries participating. The tournament also adopted AI multi-angle automated broadcasting technology for the first time. Fo Guang University women’s basketball team returned to the UBA championship game, earning second place. Students from the Sports and Health Promotion Management Program won two gold and one bronze medals in the martial arts category at the 114th National Games. The Guang Ming College (Philippines) track and field team earned 21 medals in national competitions, securing the overall championship in the senior division. Even after graduation, Fo Guang–affiliated athletes continue to energize the sports arena, reflecting Fo Guang education’s commitment to nurturing talent with a global outlook.
To promote reading and lifelong learning, Humanistic Buddhism Reading Group held 23 reading seminars worldwide last year, benefiting over 10,000 participants. The National Reading Expo entered its 22nd year, with events held at Fo Guang Shan Yilan and Nanhua University in Chiayi, attracting more than 4,000 book lovers. Fo Guang Shan Foundation for Buddhist Culture and Education deployed 53 Cloud and Water Mobile Libraries across Taiwan, serving 1,180 schools, circulating over 180,000 books, and benefiting more than 540,000 people. The accumulated mileage, enough to circle the Earth 87 times, stands as a testament to the collective support that allows wisdom to travel far and wide.
As global awareness for environmental sustainability continues to rise, BLIA and Green Public Welfare Foundation co-launched the Fo Guang Green Sustainable Talent Development Program. The curriculum covers topics such as climate change and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On Earth Day, the Forest Awakening and Nature Sustainability Training Camp was held, expressing commitment to protecting the Earth through tree planting. In November, delegates traveled to Brazil to participate in the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), sharing the Venerable Master’s idea of “environmental and spiritual preservation” and promoting the “Vege Plan A,” receiving enthusiastic responses from delegations and the public alike.
●Building a Harmonious Society Through Compassionate Vows and Actions
In face of increasingly frequent natural disasters, including wildfires in Los Angeles, floods in Malaysia, earthquakes in Myanmar, overflowing of Matai’an barrier lake in Hualien, as well as earthquakes and typhoons in the Philippines, deep appreciation must be extended to our global BLIA members and friends for their compassion and solidarity. BLIA and Fo Guang Shan branch temples swiftly mobilized resources to provide relief and care through diverse means. Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, BLIA immediately launched the Fo Guang Joint Relief Team, constructing 108 homes and planning a village activity center to serve as a key venue for monastic–lay interaction and community gatherings.
Beyond international disaster relief, Fo Guang Shan continues to care for local communities. In May, following a major traffic accident in Sanxia, New Taipei City, collective prayers were offered for the deceased and injured, and Fo Guang Shan held on-site Dharma services to ease the bereaved. In July, to lessen the financial and emotional burden on families of disadvantaged patients, Hospital Los Angeles Paraguay-China added new family accommodation facilities, with President Peña personally attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony. In the same month, Thaihua Temple in Thailand established a Fo Guang Chinese Medicine Clinic, serving the local community with compassion and professional care.
Upholding the principle of purifying human minds through spiritual cultivation, the Chan and Pure Land Cultivation and Light Offering Prayer Service was held in March at the Taipei Arena, with over one million participants online and onsite lighting lamps together to pray for world peace and the well-being of all beings. Responding to environmental and mental sustainability, the event adopted e-tickets, eco-friendly packaged water, and LED lighting, while launching the global campaign “Light a Lamp, Brighten the World,” transcending religions and regions to unite collective aspirations for peace.
As for infrastructure development, ground-purification and groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the sites of Fo Guang Shan Sekinchan and the Three Acts of Goodness Building at Fo Guang Shan Singapore Cultural and Educational Center. Additionally, the renovations of the Main Shrine and Pure Land Caves at Fo Guang Shan Headquarters and the construction of Yue Guang Temple in Hualien will be completed and inaugurated this year. As these facilities draw to completion, may they become beacons of hope for the society.
●The Glory of Buddha’s Light Shines Across the World
Over the past year, the Fo Guang Shan Monastic Order received numerous honors and commendations. 13 affiliated temples and centers were recognized by Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior with the Religious Groups Awards Ceremony. Through its long-standing commitment to public service and social welfare, the Buddha’s Light International Association R.O.C. was awarded the Ministry’s highest honor for national social organizations—the Public Welfare Gold Award—for the third time. In addition, for advancing sustainability through faith-based action, BLIA received the 2025 National Sustainable Development Award in the Civil Organizations category. The Fo Guang Shan Humanistic Buddhism Development Foundation, established by Tsung Lin University, was also selected for the second consecutive year by the Kaohsiung City Government’s Department of Civil Affairs as an Outstanding Religious Organization.
Through arts and culture, Buddha Museum continues to promote life education and curated a series of major exhibitions. Its proposal “Net-Zero Vision, Green Action” was shortlisted for the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Awards for Sustainable Development Practices, making it the only museum in Taiwan to be selected and the one with the highest visitor numbers. The Buddha Museum’s exhibition “Light from the Sea: The Mazu Cultural Heritage Exhibition in Yunlin County” received two Silver Awards in the Exhibition and Education categories at the 2025 IAA MUSE Creative Awards (U.S.A.). The “A World in a Seed: Yungang Grottoes Art Exhibition” was also selected as an Outstanding Touring Exhibition at the 4th Shanxi Provincial Museum Exhibition Excellence Awards.
Furthermore, Fo Guang Shan New Zealand Auckland Temple was selected as an Outstanding Building during the Christchurch Open Day for the fourth time for its pure and dignified architectural aesthetics. After more than a decade of dedicated community building, Dong Zen Temple in Malaysia saw its Jenjarom Happy Village awarded county-level first place in Kuala Langat District. Fo Guang Shan Toronto received recognition through a Local Architectural Heritage Award for its profound local community outreach and promotion of ethnic harmony.
In the field of culture and education, Merit Times has long promoted newspaper-based education, moral cultivation, and environmental sustainability. It was honored with Gold and Bronze Awards at the Taiwan Sustainable Action Awards, as well as distinctions from Global Views Monthly through the ESG Corporate Sustainability Awards and a Bronze Award at the Asia-Pacific Sustainability Expo.
The university under the Fo Guang Shan consortium also achieved outstanding results. Fo Guang University was listed in the 2026 QS Asia University Rankings and received the 2025 Taiwan Sustainable University Award for ESG Environmental Management Leadership. Nanhua University once again earned the National Central Library’s Golden Heart Award and was further recognized by the Chinese Society for Quality with the Excellence in Management Quality Award (Education Category)–Benchmark Award. In the Philippines, Guang Ming College integrated arts and character education, with alumni receiving National Outstanding Student Awards, demonstrating the profound impact of the Three Acts of Goodness in practice.
Looking back on the year, BLIA members around the world have advanced Humanistic Buddhism through the strength of collective effort, fostering religious harmony and world peace, and earning recognition from governments and all sectors of society. In doing so, we deeply resonate with the encouragement of our Founding Master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun: “Reaching out brings hope, stepping out leads to the future.” This courageous spirit of outreach continues the living legacy of our tradition and teachings.
As we welcome the new year, Fo Guang Shan will launch the “60 Years of Passing the Lamp and Honoring a 100-Year Legacy” series of events in celebration of its 60th anniversary. On behalf of the monastic community, I extend a heartfelt gratitude to Dharma protectors and friends from all directions for your steadfast support and participation in Fo Guang Shan’s Dharma work. We invite you to look ahead together with us, so that the Buddha’s compassion, wisdom, and light may continue to illuminate the world and bring warmth to all humanity.
May the New Year bring you Dharma joy and serenity, with peace and auspicious blessings.
Hsin Bau
Head Abbot
Chairperson, Fo Guang Shan Board of Directors
New Year’s Day, 2026
