Understanding the Buddha's Light Philosophy

by Hsing Yun

The Buddha's Light philosophy describes the spirit, growth, and direction of Fo Guang Shan, the monastery, and Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA), the organization for lay devotees. It is rare to have an inside look at how a modern monastery functions in today¡¦s society. The Buddha's Light philosophy offers contemporary thoughts, future goals, and the organizational structure of the Buddha's Light International Association. The practice of Humanistic Buddhism, which is the emphasis of this Buddhist Order, is demonstrated through activities and social events, as well as the merger of traditional and contemporary approaches to practice and management.

200 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

About the author

Hsing Yun was a Chinese Buddhist monk, teacher, and philanthropist based in Taiwan. He was the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist monastic order as well as the layperson-based Buddha's Light International Association. Hsing Yun was considered a major proponent of Humanistic Buddhism and one of the most influential teachers of modern Taiwanese Buddhism. In Taiwan, he was popularly referred to as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Taiwanese Buddhism, along with his contemporaries: Master Sheng Yen of Dharma Drum Mountain, Master Shih Cheng Yen of Tzu Chi and Master Wei Chueh of Chung Tai Shan.