Hosted by the Wake County Sheriff’s Office on June 25, 2026, the Safe Faith Conference brought together religious leaders from across Wake County to discuss the safety and security of houses of worship and faith communities. [Reported by Xie Weixiang, North Carolina, USA] The Wake County Sheriff’s Office hosted the Safe Faith Conference on June 25, 2026, marking the event’s return for the first time since 2002. Religious leaders from across Wake County gathered to discuss saf

Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina holds the Three Acts of Goodness Children’s Summer Camp from June 15–17, 2026, themed “Dream × Respect × Breakthrough” and inspired by Disney’s Zootopia. [Reported by Yuchuan, North Carolina, USA] Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina held its annual Three Acts of Goodness Children’s Summer Camp from June 15 to 17, 2026, centered on the theme “Dream × Respect × Breakthrough.” Inspired by Disney’s classic animated film Zoot

Before the event begins, youth volunteers lead participants in warm-up exercises. (Photo by Wei Yi-Hsuan) [Reported by Yuchuan and Cixuan Hu, North Carolina, USA] The BLIA North Carolina Chapter VEGRUN concluded with a closing celebration held on June 6, 2026 at Fred G. Bond Metro Park in Cary, North Carolina, bringing this year’s event to a successful close. Since its launch on April 23, 2026,the event has attracted enthusiastic participation from Fo Guang members and local

During the Buddha’s Light Children Blessing Ceremony & Homecoming Gathering Ceremony, parents and children recite the prayer together. (Photo by Wei Yixuan) [Reported by Cixuan Hu, North Carolina, USA] Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) North Carolina Chapter held a series of Buddha’s Birthday celebrations on May 23 and 24, 2026, featuring the Buddha’s Light Baby Blessing Ceremony, Bathing Buddha Dharma Servic

At the Asian Festival on Main in Virginia, BLIA YAD members Raymond Yuan (left) and Grace Wei (right) from the BLIA Washington, D.C. Chapter managed the “Three Acts of Goodness Interactive” booth and carefully explained the Three Acts of Goodness to children. (Photo by Andy Chen) [Reported by Andy Chen Washington, D.C., USA] To celebrate the joyous occasion of Buddha’s Birthday, the BLIA Washington, D.C. Chapter participated in two major cultural events in the Greater Washin

At the opening ceremony, Venerable Miao Jou explains that the exhibition aims to allow visitors to experience focus and wisdom through meditation while viewing the artwork. (Photos by Haikuo) [Reported by Yuchuan, North Carolina, USA] Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina held the opening ceremony for Doodling Chan—Venerable Youji's Art Exhibition on February 22, 2026, attracting nearly 40 devotees, volunteers, and art enthusiasts. The exhibition features Doodling Cha

[Reported by Wang Yiwen, North Carolina, USA] To enhance financial awareness in the community, the Buddha's Light International Association North Carolina Association, First Subchapter, held a Life Education Seminar on Financial Planning on April 25, 2026, at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina. The event featured New York Life financial advisor Thomas Schaffer as keynote speaker, with live Chinese subtitles provided. Around 30 community members attended. The semina

[Reported by Andy Chen Washington, D.C., USA] In response to the 2026 World Earth Day theme, “Forest Awakening,” the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Washington, D.C. Chapter mobilized members on April 11, 2026, to participate in an early spring invasive vine removal project at Lake Accotink Park. Through hands-on action, participants helped protect forest ecosystems and demonstrated a commitment to environmental sustainability. Working together with the local

[Reported by Yuchuan, North Carolina, USA] To commemorate the renunciation anniversary of the Fo Guang Shan Founding Master —Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Fo Guang Shan North Carolina held a “Blessings and Wisdom Cultivation” forum on March 15, 2026. The event was hosted by Venerable Miao Jou, superintendent of the temple, and featured sharing by Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) North Carolina Chapter President Gee Chia and board member Crissie Luo. Presented in

[Reported by Cixuan Hu, North Carolina, USA] The Triangle Area Chinese American Society (TACAS) hosted its annual Lunar New Year Festival on March 14, 2026, at the J.S. Dorton Arena, drawing large crowds despite a two-month delay caused by severe winter weather earlier in the year. The celebration featured an array of food and cultural booths, along with lively dragon and lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional dance performances that filled the arena with f

[Reported by Haikuo, North Carolina, USA] The Raleigh Police Department’s Interfaith Community Ambassadors for Responsive Engagement (I-CARE) program convened its regular meeting on March 12, 2026, at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina. A total of nine participants, including police representatives and leaders from diverse religious communities, attended the gathering. Venerable Miao Jou, Superintendent of the temple, personally received the guests, accompanied by

On March 6, 2026, BLIA North Carolina, led by President Gee Chia and Elder Advisor Jill Chen with three volunteers, participated in the annual World Dance Festival at Farmington Woods Elementary School. [Reported by Haikuo, North Carolina, USA] On March 6, 2026, the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) North Carolina Chapter, led by President Gee Chia and Elder Advisor Jill Chen with three volunteers, was invited to participate in the annual World Dance Festival a

Venerable Miao Jou, superintendent of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina, together with Venerable Zhi San and volunteers including Gee Chia, president of BLIA North Carolina Chapter, and Elder Advisor Jill Chen, visited the Carteret Correctional Center on March 9, 2026, to donate English translations books and booklets by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Warden Embery L. Morton (center) accepted the donation on behalf of the facility. (Photo by Haikuo) [Reported by Yu C

[Reported by Gong Hongchang, Washington, D.C., USA] On January 18, 2026, the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) of Washington D.C. Chapter participated in the Greater Washington Jiangsu Lunar New Year Carnival, hosted by the Jiangsu Association of Washington, D.C. at Cabin John Middle School. BLIA Washington Chapter set up a vegetarian food fundraiser booth, using the occasion to introduce its ongoing activities and to share Master Hsing Yun’s Spring Festival co

The ceremony was presided over by Venerable Miao Jou, Superintendent of Fo Guang Shan North Carolina, who served as the certifying witness and respectfully read “Prayer for Bodhi Couples” by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Founder of Fo Guang Shan. (Photo by Haikuo) [Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] On January 1, 2026, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of North Carolina, together with the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) North Carolina Chapter, jointly held

[Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of North Carolina held the 2025 Three Acts of Goodness Children’s Winter Camp from December 29 to December 31,2025. Drawing inspiration from Disney Pixar’s film Inside Out , the camp focused on the themes of empathy and emotional awareness, attracting 16 children aged 7 to 11. Members of the BLIA-YAD North Carolina served as the primary volunteer team, guiding participants through a three-day journey o

Participants focus their minds by transcribing the English Heart Sutra , deepening their understanding of the teachings. (Photo by Zhang Yin) [Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] On December 20, 2025, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina, hosted an English-language One-day Retreat, welcoming 17 local participants. The thoughtfully designed program offered a meaningful blend of meditation practices and Buddhist learning, including sitting meditation, transcrib

Soldiers draw Dharma words in the Jade Buddha Shrine, experiencing guidance through Buddhist wisdom. [Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] On December 18, 2025, Assistant Professor Hsinni Tsai of the Chinese Department at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center of Fort Bragg, led three soldiers studying Chinese on a visit to Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina. Through a rich and diverse cultural program, the visitors gained deeper insight int

On December 22, 2025, led by Venerable Miao Jou, BLIAN North Carolina Chapter—joined by Chapter President May Shiue, Vice President and First Subchapter President Gee Chia, and Buddha’s Light members—delivers donated supplies from the “Spread Warmth & Love” winter drive to the Raleigh Rescue Mission, where they are received by Mission staff. [Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] Continuing its commitment to caring for vulnerable members of the community, the Buddha’s L

Children carefully painting their creative pumpkin designs. [Reported by Hui-Chang Yu, Washington, D.C., USA] The Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Washington, D.C. Chapter held its Three Acts of Goodness Children’s Thanksgiving Gathering on November 23, 2025. Through fun and educational activities, the event guided children to learn gratitude, appreciation, and sharing—spreading kindness and joy throughout the community. BLIA youth members leading cooperative

At the beginning of the retreat, participants checked in at the Jade Buddha Shrine as Venerable Miao Jou reminded them of the proper mindset for practice. (Photo by Zhang Yin) [Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of North Carolina successfully concluded its fourth and final Chinese-language One-Day Retreat of 2025 on November 22. The temple’s monthly rotation of Chinese and English practice sessions continues to attract many first-time vi

Students fully engaged in crafting their lotus flowers. [Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] On November 19, 2025, thirty-three sixth-grade students from the Chinese language class at Norwayne Middle School in Wayne County, North Carolina, visited Fo Guang Shan North Carolina under the guidance of their Chinese teacher, Camila Uriona, along with another accompanying teacher. The group embarked on an enriching journey that blended cultural learning with spiritual explo

[Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] — On November 1, 2025, Professor Carolyn Lee from Duke University’s Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies led 10 students from her “Chinese Philosophy” course on a cultural field trip to Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina. The visit offered participants an immersive experience of Buddhist culture and philosophy, highlighting the harmony between Buddhist teachings and traditional Chinese thought. Venerable Miao Jo

[Reported by Yu Chuan, North Carolina, USA] Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of North Carolina held its monthly English One-Day Retreat on October 25, 2025, with twelve participants attending the one-day program. The participants, from diverse backgrounds, gathered at the temple with the shared aspiration to deepen their understanding of Chan practice and cultivate inner peace. At the opening session, Venerable Miao Jou, the temple’s superintendent, encouraged everyone to approa