Organised by Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) World Headquarters, and co-organised by the Committee of World BLIA Dharma Lecturer Fellowship, the North American BLIAs, and the BLIA Taiwan Headquarters and its BLIA Branches in Taiwan, the 2021 BLIA Global Buddhism Examination received very good responses from BLIA members worldwide. A total of 58 countries worldwide with more than 35,000 BLIA members took part in the exam using the cloud technology and network services. New Zealand BLIA South Island, led by the Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi, had 50 of its officials and members participating in the exam, using either the conventional paper or the online methods.
Except for seven Temple Residents who took the paper exam at Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island Temple, most of the BLIA South Island members took the online exam at home. For candidates who are familiar with computer operations, it was very convenient to be able to answer online at home. Whereas, other senior members who took the exam manifested a high degree of diligence. Although they were not familiar with technical operations, they still tried their best to take part in the exam by getting their children or grandchildren to assist in the operation of the computers. Several of the senior members also gathered in group to participate in the exam. One of them would read out the exam questions and the rest would provide the answers.
The 2021 BLIA Global Buddhism Examination allowed BLIA South Island members to take this opportunity to review their knowledge of the Dharma, and to ask for help from other knowledgeable members when they encountered incomprehensible texts during their preparation of the exam, This had indeed strengthened the friendship of BLIA South Island members. Every candidate who participated in the exam was full of joy and shared in the benefits of learning the Dharma.
Bernie, President of BLIA South Island
Bernie would like to thank Master Hsing Yun for his book, and the BLIA World Headquarters for organising the 2021 BLIA Global Buddhism Examination, so that BLIA members and believers all over the world could learn and understand the essence and true meaning of Buddhism. Bernie saw that BLIA South Island members were full of enthusiasm for this Global Buddhism Examination, and the intense exam process has metamorphosed into Dharma wisdom, making everyone a graduate of elementary Buddhism.
Louisa Kou, President of the First Subchapter of BLIA South Island
Louisa was very happy to have participated in this Global Buddhism Examination. She was glad that, during the rampant global pandemic, based on Master Hsing Yun’s book “Buddha-Dharma, Pure and Simple”, FGS was able to hold the 2021 BLIA Global Buddhism Examination for BLIA members around the world. The exam had encompassed the following benefits:
1. It increased the participants’ understanding of Buddhist principles and Buddhist philosophy. The book “Buddha-Dharma, Pure and Simple” is Master Hsin Yun’s masterpiece that presents the correct version of Buddhism that advocates returning to Buddha’s original intent. In their preparation of the exam, BLIA members were able to gain a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Buddhism.
2. It strengthened the participants’ confidence and hope. To deal with the ever-changing changes in life during the extraordinary period of the pandemic, BLIA members could build up confidence and hope through learning the Dharma.
3. It was convenient and joyful. Because of the pandemic, families were quarantined at home, and the whole family could rejoice in diligently studying Buddhism together and thus gaining wisdom. In addition, the exam organizers had prepared a comprehensive pool of questions and answers, and the lectures given by the Venerables were lively and clear. These were all shared in the cloud online for the convenience of the participants. The exam had been changed from a paper exam to an online exam, giving convenience and joy to the candidates.
Louisa would like to thank Humanistic Buddhism propagated by Master Hsing Yun. Louisa claimed that, in this present life, it is fortunate to be a member of BLIA where you can achieve a happy and peaceful life by becoming a Humanistic Buddhism Practitioner, thus living in a Pure Land created by Man.
Rona Ku, FGS South Island Dharma Lecturer, pointed out that it was very fortunate that, at this difficult time when the city had to undergo a second lockdown due to the continued rampage of the pandemic, BLIA members could focus and work hard on Master Shin Yun’s book “Buddha-Dharma, Pure and Simple” to find the true meaning of Buddhism. For this, Rona was truly grateful. The meticulous planning of BLIA World HQ and the wonderful and vivid analyses of topics from the rich pool of exam questions by the 12 FGS Venerables, allowed BLIA members to sit comfortably at home and learn about the Dharma. This year, Rona was very happy to learn that the 2021 BLIA Global Buddhism Examination would be held in September. She made 18 calls to invite BLIA members to participate in the exam, explaining and encouraging the members in the process. 10 members finally agreed to participate. Here, Rona would like to thank these 10 members for their participation. For the others who were unable to participate, Rona would like to thank them for agreeing to watch the 12 Venerables’ lectures at home on video. Rona pointed out that those who have embraced the Dharma are truly rich and noble people. Rona would like to extend her congratulations to those who manage to embrace “The True Meaning of Buddhism“, living meaningful lives in the sea of Dharma.
Annie Chiang, a member of BLIA South Island, would like to thank FGS for the opportunity to participate in the 2021 Global Buddhism Examination, which allowed BLIA members to relax and joyfully learn the true meaning of Buddhism. This was particularly special when the exam was carried out online at home because of the lockdown of the city. Annie would like to thank the staff of the exam organiser for their hard work that enabled the exam to be carried out online at home.
During the pandemic, Liu Qing, a member of BLIA South Island, made use of her time while doing housework to listen to FGS’s audiobook: “Buddha-Dharma, Pure and Simple”. She felt that the detailed contents of the audiobook were of great help to her exam preparation. Liu Qing believed that, in addition to preparing for the exam, she can still continue to listen to audiobooks after the exam to improve her knowledge of the Dharma. When she was a child, Liu Qing’s background did not allow her to have higher education. Fortunately, when she came to the Temple, through studying Buddhism and chanting, she managed to learn many words and the philosophy of life. Participating in this Global Buddhism Exam brought back to her the feeling of sitting for her exam in her student days.
Xiao yun, Chen, a member of BLIA South Island, thanked FGS for organising the “Global Buddhism Examination” which allowed her to understand the meanings of various Buddhist terms. She was also grateful to Master Hsing Yun for using simple modern language to interpret Buddhism, and to explain the merits of practicing Humanistic Buddhism in the modern world.
Jing Qi, a member of BLIA South Island Young Adult Division (YAD) said that, before joining FGS temple, she was learning and trying to understand Buddhism on her own, with no system to rely on, except her own reading of the Sutras. This exam offered she the opportunity to conduct self-examination and self-assessment of her previous insights and understanding of Buddhism to see if they were right or wrong. As such, it was of great value to her. The exam also helped Jing Qi gain a lot of new knowledge. For that, she was very grateful.