Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto (Chinese: 多倫多佛光山; pinyin: duō lún duō fó guāng shān) was built to serve as a cultural, educational, community and spiritual centre for Chinese Buddhism and those interested in Buddhist teachings and practice. Founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1991 and completed in 1997, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto (FGS Toronto) is one of the over 400 Fo Guang Shan Temples worldwide. It was founded with the intention to propagate Humanistic Buddhism to the local community in the Greater Toronto Area, which emphasizes bringing Buddhist teaching into our daily lives and maintaining harmony with the environment, society, each other and within ourselves. The Toronto Buddhist temple branch is located in Mississauga, Ontario, and also operates satellite Dharma centres (Buddha's Light Center) in Markham and Kitchener-Waterloo. The Mississauga facility is approximately 50,000 square feet, and provides many modern functions and services while presenting traditional Chinese temple architecture and style. The building includes a magnificent main shrine, tea house (Water Drop Teahouse), traditional Chan meditation hall, Buddhist cultural museum, library, and bookstore. The Buddha's Light Centres were built to offer members in the eastern portions of the Greater Toronto Area who may not be able to travel to the Mississauga branch. Objectives Fo Guang Shan, which means “Buddha’s Light Mountain” was founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1967 in Taiwan according to the principles of Humanistic Buddhism. Humanistic Buddhism emphasizes the role of Buddhist teachings and practice in daily life, and encompasses several major Chinese Buddhist schools, including Chan, Pure Land and Mind Only. Fo Guang Shan promotes Humanistic Buddhism through the pursuit of four objectives: To propagate Buddhist teachings through cultural activities To nurture talents through education To benefit societies through charitable programs To purify human hearts and minds through Buddhist practices Activities Accordingly, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto has strived to deliver on these objectives to the GTA community. The temple is open to the public and all are welcome to participate in any of the many activities offered. Culture: The temple holds cultural events to help bring the East and West together in peace and understanding. These include participation in many local events, as well as annual celebrations of Chinese New Year, Vesak (Buddha's Birthday), and a vegetarian food fair. The temple also offers a traditional Chinese tea house, public tours, and a cultural museum with Buddhist art, sculpture, and