Golden Years, Youthful Hearts: Toronto Fo Guang Shan Seniors Embrace Lifelong Dharma Learning

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto
January 22, 2026

The fifth Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto Senior Activity Program concluded with a warm and joyful year-end gathering on December 16. Bringing together more than 50 participants aged 60 to 95, the 12-week program offered a meaningful journey of lifelong learning through Buddhist teachings, practical life skills, and holistic body–mind cultivation. The celebration featured interactive quizzes and heartfelt sharing, filling the dining hall with laughter and reflecting the enduring vitality of Humanistic Buddhism.

Participants engaged with the Dharma through “three languages”—English, Cantonese, and Mandarin—and “two teachings,” namely core Buddhist principles and the wisdom of Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The curriculum thoughtfully blended spiritual and practical learning, including Buddhist fundamentals, sutra transcription, Chinese painting, smartphone literacy, communication psychology, and wellness practices, demonstrating how the Dharma can be meaningfully applied in daily life.

Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan expressed her joy at seeing the program reach its fifth cohort, sharing that “everyone who comes to Fo Guang Shan is a bodhisattva.” She noted that over the past three years, many seniors have participated as both learners and instructors, contributing their experience, wisdom, and compassion within Toronto’s multicultural community. She emphasized that the program nurtures both a sense of belonging and a spirit of service, encouraging participants to share the Dharma and practice harmonious coexistence in everyday life.

Monastics also offered reflections on teaching and learning. Venerable Zhi Guan remarked that lesson preparation itself is a form of practice that deepens faith and insight. Venerable Yong Kang encouraged participants with the words, “Practicing the Dharma at eight is not too early; at eighty is not too late.” Venerable Ru An quoted Venerable Master Hsing Yun, “Compassion brings happiness to both the giver and the receiver,” while Venerable Zhi Shen highlighted sincere communication as the heart of teaching.

The ceremony opened with a recap video and a lively trilingual Dharma quiz. Participant sharing followed, with reflections on mindfulness, intercultural learning, and improved family communication through Buddhist practice. Representing the class, 95-year-old participant Rose Wong presented a thank-you card to the monastics. Calligraphy instructor Lisa Wei expressed her gratitude by offering a calligraphy work titled Blessings, Longevity, Health, and Peace, received by Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan. The gathering concluded with monastics presenting participants with one-stroke calligraphy pendants by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, inscribed with the message “Keep Going, the Future Is Bright,” as a warm keepsake of learning and fellowship.