Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA)
The Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA; Chinese: 國際佛光會) is a Buddhist organization founded in 1992 by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan. Its headquarters is located at Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California, USA.
Originally established as the "Buddha’s Light International Association of China" on February 3, 1991, it gradually expanded worldwide. On May 16, 1992 (International Buddha’s Light Day), the BLIA World Headquarters was officially established in Los Angeles, USA. Today, it boasts six million members, with chapters and subchapters spread across five continents.
BLIA is a Buddhist organization composed of both monastic and lay practitioners, with the mission of integrating Buddhism into daily life and promoting Humanistic Buddhism. The association welcomes people from all walks of life to participate in Buddhist ceremonies, events, and various socially beneficial activities. Additionally, BLIA maintains a friendly approach in engaging with other religious groups, fostering mutual exchange through their respective cultural and educational values.
BLIA does not belong to any specific sect, temple, or individual but is open to all who resonate with its principles. Today, BLIA has established associations and chapters in over 100 countries and regions across five continents, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Nigeria, and more.
As the saying goes:
"Wherever the sun shines, Buddha’s Light is present."
"Where there is sunlight, there is BLIA; where there is seawater, there are Buddha’s Light members."
In 1978, Venerable Master Hsing Yun purchased a church in Gardena, Southern California, establishing Hsi Lai Temple—the first Fo Guang Shan branch in the U.S. As the number of devotees grew, another church was acquired in Maywood in 1982, named "White Tower Temple" (白塔寺) in honor of Master Hsing Yun’s ancestral temple, Dajue Temple on White Pagoda Mountain in Yixing, China.
On May 16, 1992, the BLIA World Headquarters was officially founded in Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Chapter was established the following year on May 2, 1993. The "White Tower Subchapter" emerged alongside the growth of Hsi Lai Temple. Through the dedicated efforts of its leaders, the subchapter refined its operations and, in 2019, expanded into three subchapters: White Tower One, White Tower Two, and White Tower Three. Thus, the White Tower Three Subchapter was officially established in January 2019.
The White Tower Three Subchapter organizes events with four key purposes: learning, expansion, fellowship, and achievement. Wherever Buddha’s Light members gather, meaningful activities are held to foster collective growth and progress.
Organizing an event—from planning and coordination to execution and conclusion—requires effort. Yet, when an event succeeds and earns recognition, all the hard work and challenges become cherished memories.
Benefits of participating in subchapter activities include:
Strengthening bonds and making new friends
Broadening knowledge and perspectives
Expanding networks and creating good affinities
Passing on Buddhist values to benefit the whole family
Purifying the mind and body through meaningful engagement
