4/18/2024

Fo Guang Shan Monastery Head Abbot Most Venerable Hsin Bau Arrives at Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple

On April 18, Most Venerable Hsin Bau, Head Abbot of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Monastery, and his entourage arrived at Ontario International Airport in California. Venerable Hui Dong, the Abbot of FGS Hsi Lai Temple, led the monastics and Fo Guang members in warmly welcoming them. Most Venerable Hsin Bau's visit to Hsi Lai Temple is to preside over the 2024 Fo Guang Shan North America Water and Land Dharma Service.

Venerable Hui Dong led the monastics and devotees from various North and South America FGS branch temples to receive Most Venerable Hsin Bau at the Main Shrine of Hsi Lai Temple. Most Venerable Hsin Bau expressed his joy at returning to Hsi Lai Temple, noting that the 2017 FGS North America Water and Land Dharma Service felt like it was just yesterday, demonstrating how time flies. He encouraged everyone, saying that during the busy period of the Water and Land Dharma Service, the "busyness" that the Founding Master of FGS, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, referred to is diligent practice. If one practices diligently, one will experience the joy of the Dharma, making it a time filled with Dharma joy.

Most Venerable Hsin Bau thanked Venerable Tzu Jung, the Executive Director of Fo Guang Shan Sangha Affairs Committee, and the monastics who came from various places to Hsi Lai Temple. He explained that this Water and Land Dharma Service is an opportunity for monastics to interact, care for, and connect with devotees. He wished the Water and Land Dharma Service great success.

In Most Venerable Hsin Bau's entourage were Most Venerable Hsin Pei from FGS; Venerable Hui Chuan, the Executive Vice Abbot of FGS; Venerable Hui Zhao, the Dean of the Men’s Department of Tsunglin University; and eight other monastics and devotees. Approximately 100 people attended the welcoming ceremony.

(Photos by Chihcheng Chang)