Throughout last year, I traveled between the two shores like the shuttle of a loom. From Beijing to Nanjing, from the Southwest to the Northeast, my 84-year-old body does not have the strength to keep up with all the invitations to events and talks, and the promotional work required for my ancestral temple. However, the thought of the Chinese descendants who experienced the turbulent era and are in dire need of spiritual support gives me the strength to forget about my old age. Even the tremendous fatigues of travel are forgotten. At the age of twelve,I went to Qixiashan Monastery because of a promise that I made. After seventy springs and autumns, I am only grateful to have the opportunity to repay the kindness of my master and Buddha. All may seem like a miracle, but we, in fact should thank the gradual arrival of peace between the two shores.

As part of my lifetime dedication to propagate Humanistic Buddhism, in order to bring the Dharma into homes and society, “to purify human minds through spiritual cultivation” has become one of Fo Guang Shan’s Four Objectives. Fuhui Home for Spiritual Cultivation was established last April as a world headquarters for collective cultivation. The home should serve as a model that holds weekly events with different themes. Hopefully the wheel of collective cultivation will be set in motion, so that everyone can place equal emphasis on practice and understanding, and be sufficient in both merit and wisdom.

In May, Buddha’s Birthday Celebration was held in front of the Presidential Office for the second time. Sprinkles of rain that were like nectar purified the venue. President Ma Ying-jeou expressed his recognition and wishes in front of a crowd of one hundred thousand Buddhists, and led the participants from all walks of life in taking the Three Good Deeds pledge. The celebration became a cause for the Humpty Dumpty Institute’s President and Founder, Ralph Cwerman and US-UN Program Manager Capera Clement to visit Fo Guang Shan. After witnessing morning chanting and formal Buddhist meals, they were astonished by Fo Guang Shan’s rules and system that are non-existent in western countries. They were confident that BLIA’s work in humanity and care, as well as religious promotions will enhance exchange and cooperation with the UN in the future. This year, we shall meet again on the peaceful Ketagalan Boulevard for the national Mother’s Day and Buddha’s Birthday celebrations.

Buddha’s Light members were active across the globe last year. On an average of one thousand participants per event, BLIA members attended activities such as Advisors’ Exchange and Training Program, National Reading Expo, Board of Directors and Elder Advisors Joint Conference, International Buddha’s Light Youth Conference, National Teacher’s Summer Camp, Short-term Monastic Retreat and many other events. Greetings of “Ji-xiang” (Auspicious Blessings) were heard everywhere, as if though it was a gathering for