The Humanistic Buddhism Reading Group upholds the concept of "Life Enriched by the Fragrance of Books" advocated by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. It guides Buddhist disciples to pick up the Buddhist classics, progressively finding the fundamental basis for cutting off delusions and realizing the truth (斷惑證真) in the Dharma. It creates a field for lifelong learning to address the life issues they face at different stages. Through dialogue and self-reflection, it stimulates the wisdom of collective creation, thereby elevating the life level of religious faith.
"Reading" is a pleasure, and "Immersing oneself in the Sutras" (深入經藏) is the best channel for sentient beings to personally taste the profound flavor of the Dharma (醍醐法味). By interacting and discussing with fellow reading group members, the dimensions of the Dharma are broadened. With the Dharma, life becomes peaceful and self-possessed; with the Dharma, society becomes respectful and inclusive; and with the Dharma, the world can achieve peace without conflict. Therefore, striving for the ideal of "Life Enriched by the Fragrance of Books" is not only the mission of the Humanistic Buddhism Reading Group but also a target that all people should regard as their bounden duty to work towards.
Our Aims
The founding aim of the "Humanistic Buddhism Reading Group" is to promote an atmosphere of literary appreciation in the world (書香人間) and drive the global trend of reading. Based on the recognition that "the sea of learning has no limits, and learning is endless," it seeks to cultivate the spirit and habit of "live and learn." Through mutual encouragement, members jointly pursue the spiritual sustenance of the Dharma, aiming to enhance social harmony and promote peace and well-being in the human world.
Our Origin
When Venerable Master Hsing Yun founded Fo Guang Shan, he established the four core principles: "To propagate the Dharma through culture, to nurture talent through education, to benefit society through charity, and to purify hearts and minds through spiritual practice." Among these, culture and education are important components of Fo Guang Shan's efforts to promote the concept of "Humanistic Buddhism."
For decades, many followers primarily used listening to lectures as their learning channel. However, the truly effective way to replace passive learning with proactive, self-directed study should be an egalitarian learning style where everyone is free to speak. Therefore, at the "International Fo Guang Hui Directors' Meeting" held in South Africa in 2001, an appeal was made for Buddhism to strive towards four directions of propagation: "Localization of Monasteries, Bringing the Dharma into Daily Life, Equality Between Monastics and Laity, and Life Enriched by the Fragrance of Books." To more concretely realize the ideal of "Life Enriched by the Fragrance of Books," the Master officially established the "Humanistic Buddhism Reading Group" on New Year's Day 2002. Through planned organization, it aims to launch a global reading trend and regards "Life Enriched by the Fragrance of Books" as the best path for "Lifelong Learning."
Services Provided by the Humanistic Buddhism Reading Group
- Providing reading materials and book lists.
- Assisting in the establishment of reading groups in various regions.
- Training courses for reading group facilitators.
- Organizing fellowship and exchange activities for reading groups.
- Evaluation and assessment of outstanding model reading groups.
- Thematic training for global reading groups.
- Assisting reading groups in setting up websites.
Promotion of Newspaper Reading Education (雙園讀報教育).