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On June 2, 2024, 76 devotees gathered at Hsi Lai Temple for an English Dharma lecture by Venerable Miao Guang, Deputy Chancellor of the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism. The topic was Remembering the Founder: Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Teachings Through His Words and Actions.”
As a long-time English interpreter for Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Venerable Miao Guang shared personal stories about the founder of Fo Guang Shan Monastery, explaining how she came to understand Humanistic Buddhism more through observing his actions than from direct teachings.
Venerable Miao Guang also shared photographs of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and recounted the stories behind them. One memorable story was from 2012 when Venerable Master Hsing Yun fell and injured himself in Malaysia. Despite his pain, he eased the tense atmosphere by asking the attending doctor, “Who is the most beautiful person you’ve ever seen?” When the doctor asked him the same question, he replied, “The most beautiful person is one who has compassion.”
Another highlight was Venerable Miao Guang’s explanation of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s calligraphy piece, “Let Go.” She revealed that even while suffering from illness and inflammation in his arm, he continued his calligraphy practice. He once said, “I want to let go of the physical body, not sentient beings,” reflecting his lifelong commitment to putting others first.
During the Q&A session, audience member Mingju Yang asked how to spread kindness in the face of negativity. Venerable Miao Guang responded that goodness comes from within and encouraged cultivating a calm, fearless, and positive mindset.
Volunteer Raymond Adsitt shared his struggle when asked about his belief in God. Venerable Miao Guang spoke about her own experiences attending a Christian high school in Australia, highlighting the importance of open-mindedness and interfaith dialogue for a better future.
Robert Wang from the Hsi Lai Temple Interpretation Group asked about the challenges of translating Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teachings. Venerable Miao Guang pointed out that the humor and cultural references in his Buddhist anecdotes were particularly challenging to translate. She illustrated this with a humorous story about Su Dongpo and Chan Master Fo Yin, leaving the participants in stitches and showcasing her exceptional translation skills and deep understanding of Dharma.
The lecture concluded with laughter and admiration for Venerable Miao Guang’s engaging storytelling and profound insights into Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teachings.
(Photos by Jonathan Thang)
