about us

In 1967, Venerable Master Hsing Yun founded Fo Guang Shan (Buddha’s Light Mountain), which is the largest monastery in Taiwan, encompassing over 600 acres. Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Buddhist Order is a Chinese Mahayana Buddhism monastic order and belongs to the Linji Chan School. For the past 50 years, Master has been instrumental in expanding religious freedom throughout Asia. The FGS Order, through a Humanistic Buddhist orientation, works to unite all Buddhist schools and sects; it also fosters and promotes inter-religious dialogue among all spiritual traditions through symposia, conferences, and services. The objectives of the Order are to foster talents through education, to propagate Buddhism through cultural activities, to benefit society through charitable programs, and to purify people’s hearts and minds through Buddhist practices. To date, it has established over 300 branch temples worldwide. More than 1,300 monastics serve in the FGS Order.

Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) is closely associated with Fo Guang Shan in that it takes much of its direction from the order. Initially formed in Taiwan on February 3, 1991 in response to the needs of local lay Buddhist practitioners, the BLIA Taiwan gradually gained recognition overseas. Subsequently, “Buddha’s Light International Association” was officially inaugurated in Los Angeles, California on May 16, 1992 during which a new chapter in Buddhist history emerged. As Buddhist delegates from Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Australia rendered their support by attending the first BLIA General Conference, Venerable Master Hsing Yun commemorated the unprecedented event with the following verses: “My compassionate vow is to save sentient beings; My body is that of the Dharma ocean that binds no boats; Ask me what have I achieved in this lifetime? May the Buddha’s Light shine over the five continents.”

Currently, over 100 BLIA chapters have been established worldwide. There are establishments in the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, Macao, Thailand, India, Brazil, Argentina, Africa, etc. Gradually, but surely, there will be BLIA establishments throughout every corner of the world where the presence of BLIA members will make a difference for the benefit of humanity. The primary objective of BLIA is to serve the multitude, spread a joyous spirit among people, and help others to instill the virtue of compassion.