Oceania Dharma Symposium - Forming Good Affinities and Crossing the Flame of Life

On Saturday, July 13, 2024, Fo Guang Shan Chung Tian Temple and Buddha’s Light International Association of Queensland (BLIAQ) hosted the Oceania Dharma Symposium. Dr. Kwong (Eric) Chan, the Lay Dharma Teacher of Buddha’s Light International Association, was invited as a guest speaker to provide insights on the topic "Forming Good Affinities and Crossing the Flame of Life."

The Dharma Symposium talk was held at Fo Guang Shan Chung Tian Temple and was broadcast online via YouTube. A total of 131 participants attended, including the Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Chung Tian Temple, Venerable Man Wang; President of Buddha’s Light International Association of Queensland (BLIAQ), Michello Lo; and BLIAQ Elder Advisor Stephen Chang. Simultaneously, there were also 300 live viewers from various Oceania associations watching the symposium.

At the start of the Dharma Symposium talk, Dr. Chan asked the audience, "What is the 'flame' of life?" Responses included "how to make choices," "how to communicate with teenagers," and "how to break free from the cycle of life and death."

Dr. Chan shared an example of caring for his mother during her battle with illness. He recalled how he and his mother were introduced to Humanistic Buddhism, following the footsteps of our founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Through studying and practicing Buddhism, he came to understand the "flame" of life and death and how it transforms into a "red lotus."

Dr. Chan expressed that Fo Guang Shan and Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) are important platforms for forming good affinities. For example, during his PhD studies, he stayed at Chung Tian Temple for several months. In that time, he learned to appreciate how blessed he was by Fo Guang Shan. He encouraged everyone to never stop forming good affinities with those around them. In life, it is important to constantly improve oneself, learn compassion and understanding, truly seek the Buddha's path, help sentient beings, and grow together on this Dharma ship of Fo Guang Shan.

Abbess Man Wang thanked Dr. Chan for sharing his insights on how to "Transform the Flame of Life into a Red Lotus in Daily Life."  Abbess also expressed gratitude for Dr. Chan’s adherence to the wisdom and teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and his mother, as well as for sharing with the Fo Guang community what true practice is.

The significance of Dr. Chan’s 20 years of experience as a Dharma Lay Teacher has been recognized not only in Oceania branches but also in other Fo Guang Shan branches worldwide. Abbess said that she hoped that everyone will follow Dr. Chan’s example, board the "Fo Guang Shan Dharma Ship," and continue Master Hsing Yun’s legacy to form infinite affinities throughout lifetimes.

Associate Professor Janet Hou from the University of Queensland stated that the entire Oceania Dharma Symposium was filled with Dharma joy and that the audience learned a lot from Dr. Chan, which aligned with Dr. Chan’s encouragement to form wide connections with good affinities.

BLIAQ member Muying Hu shared that she has known Dr. Chan for over 20 years. Over the years, they have followed Master Hsing Yun and supported FGS Chung Tian Temple together. She greatly admires Dr. Chan’s continuous diligence and has gained much valuable wisdom from his mother, Teacher Zhu Meiyu. She is deeply grateful to Master Hsing Yun and FGS Chung Tian Temple.