佛光山南華寺
Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple
2023 News Archive
December 2023
The BLIA Cape Town Chapter Promotes “Three Good Deeds” Values and Delivers Support to Schools
December 8, 2023
The BLIA Cape Town Chapter visited the Children’s Center in the Mitchell’s Plain township to promote the “Three Good Deeds” campus initiative and deliver gifts. They distributed 135 stationery sets to students and presented chocolates to 17 teachers, combining acts of care with lessons on “Three Good Deeds" values through engaging stories. The visit not only provided practical support but also conveyed the principles of kindness, honesty, and generosity, leaving a meaningful and inspiring impact on both students and staff.
BLIA Johannesburg Chapter Supports Students with Charitable Donations
December 7, 2023
The BLIA Johannesburg Chapter donated 1,250 kg of maize meal, snacks, and school supplies, including notebooks, pencils, and erasers, to 100 underprivileged students at Soweto Goza Primary School in Johannesburg’s eastern district. The donation aimed to support students during the upcoming Christmas break, ensuring they had food while away from school meals and encouraging continued learning through the provided stationery.
South African BLIA Youth and Volunteers Bring Joy to Orphanage Children
December 4 - 5, 2023
BLIA youth and volunteers hosted a two-day half-day camp on December 4–5 for children at Rethabiseng and Zithobeni Kids Care Center. The event featured icebreaker games, coloring activities, interactive games, as well as a skillful diabolo performance, followed by an awards ceremony recognizing students’ academic progress with stationery and tablets. The youth also distributed cornmeal, juice, and snacks, bringing joy, care, and a memorable end-of-term celebration for the children.
November 2023
Fo Guang Shan Extends Compassion in Eastern Cape with Wheelchair Donation
November 29, 2023
Nan Hua Temple’s Charity Team traveled over 800 kilometers to Eastern Cape to donate wheelchairs, walkers, and canes to local residents in need. The Dutywa village event provided 30 wheelchairs, 15 walkers, and 9 canes to 130 attendees, while the following day two wheelchairs were given to Inkcubeko Yase Cambridge Elderly Center. The initiative, warmly received by local officials, reflects Fo Guang Shan’s commitment to charitable service and the cultivation of compassion through practical support for the elderly and disabled.
Wheelchair Donation in South Africa: Embracing the Compassion and Vows of the Medicine Buddha
November 10, 2023
The BLIA Durban Chapter held its third wheelchair donation of the year, providing 14 wheelchairs to elderly recipients. Held on the Medicine Buddha’s birthday, the event embodied Humanistic Buddhism by addressing the needs of others. Recipients and families expressed gratitude, and the ceremony concluded with blessings, chanting, and distribution of blankets, snacks, and water in a warm, heartfelt atmosphere.
September 2023
South Africa Light and Peace Ceremony: Discovering Inner Light and Peace
September 24, 2023
Coinciding with South Africa’s Cultural Festival, Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple held the 2023 Light and Peace Festival, welcoming nearly 300 participants who gathered in the Main Shrine to seek inner light and peace. The event included guided standing meditation, Tai Chi, candle-lighting, and mindfulness exercises led by the Nan Hua Temple Abbot, Venerable Hui Fang, helping participants cultivate calmness, self-awareness, and compassion. Attendees also joined in reading Master Hsing Yun’s Prayer for World Peace, followed by vegetarian refreshments and cultural performances by BLIA youth, creating a serene and uplifting experience.
Fo Guang University Language Education Center’s South Africa Study Tour Yields Outstanding Results
September 2, 2023
Fo Guang University Language Education Center, in collaboration with South Africa’s Ambassador Language School and Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple, held a month-long immersive English program from August 1 to September 2, 2023. Seven students participated in full-English lessons, cultural activities, and hands-on experiences at Nan Hua Temple, enhancing their language skills, confidence, and understanding of South African history and culture.
August 2023
BLIA Durban Chapter Donates Wheelchairs, Embracing the Bodhisattva Spirit
August 5, 2023
The BLIA Durban Chapter held its second wheelchair donation of the year at Phoenix High School, gifting 75 wheelchairs to those in need. Attended by recipients, their families, volunteers, and community staff, the event highlighted the Bodhisattva spirit of compassion. The event concluded with a blessing ceremony and distribution of additional essentials, reflecting Fo Guang Shan’s 14-year commitment to humanitarian service in Durban.
July 2023
BLIA SA Youth Explore Fo Guang Shan, Experiencing the Master’s Legacy and Wisdom
July 16, 2023
Twelve South African youths attended the 2023 International Youth Conference in Taiwan, visiting major temples and learning about Master Hsing Yun’s life, teachings, and the spread of humanistic Buddhism. Through activities like participating in a vegetarian market, and attending lectures on the “Three Goods” and “Four Give” principles, they deepened their understanding of Buddhist values and leadership. They also took part in the ceremony, celebrating achievements like the handing out of White Elephant certification, and engaged with youth from around the world.
South Africa’s Rare Winter Snowfall: Fo Guang Shan Donates to Support Winter
July 15, 2023
Johannesburg experienced its first snowfall since 2012, bringing freezing temperatures that worsened local hardships. In response, the BLIA Johannesburg Chapter distributed winter relief, including shoes, cornmeal, and other essentials, to vulnerable communities in Vosloorus and Diepsloot, providing warmth, support, and hope during the rare cold spell.
Youth and Children Talent Camp: Providing a Platform for Development
July 7, 2023
From June 30 to July 7, Nan Hua Temple held an 8-day youth and children’s talent camp, engaging 120 participants in a variety of activities that combined traditional arts, traditional sports, leadership training, and Buddhist teachings. Through interactive lessons, performance arts, games, and crafts, the camp fostered creativity, discipline, and moral values, while also teaching filial piety and the principles of the Dharma.
June 2023
BLIA Johannesburg Brings Warmth in Winter: Supporting the Elderly’s Vision and Mobility
June 29, 2023
In June, BLIA Johannesburg Chapter, with Novensi Charity and the International Lions Club, held two winter donation events in Vosloorus, South Africa, helping seniors and local families. Over 660 elders received reading glasses, while more than 100 community members received maize, oil, canned food, and blankets. The events combined practical support with the promotion of compassion and community well-being.
BLIA Pretoria Chapter Donates Essential Supplies to Share Warmth
June 14, 2023
In mid-April, over 100 refugees in South Africa, unwilling to return to their home countries or remain in South Africa, were displaced and took shelter in an abandoned school in Bronkhorstspruit, about an hour from Fo Guang Shan Nanhua Temple. Responding to their urgent needs, the BLIA Pretoria Chapter organized a donation drive, delivering essential supplies including cornmeal, rice, oil, sugar, noodles, cereals, and blankets.
Wheelchair Donation: Compassion Transcends Distance
June 8, 2023
The BLIA Durban Chapter traveled over 900 kilometers to the Eastern Cape to donate 20 wheelchairs to those in need, bringing Fo Guang’s compassion to remote communities. The donation in Matatiele included 50 recipients and their families, local government officials, and media coverage. The event concluded with the gifting of Fo Guang scriptures to the mayor and practical guidance for using the wheelchairs, demonstrating that Fo Guang members' love transcends distance.
BLIA Johannesburg Chapter Winter Distribution: Spreading Love and Warmth to the Community
June 1, 2023
The BLIA Johannesburg Chapter brought warmth and hope to those in need during the early winter season. They delivered blankets, cornmeal, cooking oil, and personal care items, to Lehlabiles High School in Gamaria Village and to 100 elderly households. Through this compassionate outreach, the Chapter not only provided material support but also spread encouragement, joy, and blessings throughout the community.
May 2023
Celebrating Buddha’s Birthday: Buddha Bathing Ceremony and Blessings at African Mall
May 27, 2023
The BLIA Johannesburg Chapter held a Buddha Bathing Ceremony at the African Mall, attracting nearly 300 participants from diverse backgrounds. The event featured four themed areas: the Buddha bathing ceremony, "Life of the Buddha" exhibition, cultural-education zone, and the “Three Acts of Goodness” children’s area. Attendees respectfully bathed the Buddha, offered prayers, and engaged in cultural and educational activities. Children participated enthusiastically, drawing and praying with sincerity. The event fostered cross-cultural understanding, communal harmony, and the spirit of Humanistic Buddhism, spreading blessings and Dharma seeds throughout the community.
Buddha Bathing Ceremony and Winter Relief in Durban: Over a Thousand Beneficiaries Supported
May 20, 2023
The BLIA Durban Chapter held its annual Buddha Bathing Ceremony and Winter Relief Distribution, providing essential supplies to over 1,000 local residents during the cold winter season. Participants chanted the Heart Sutra and engaged in the Buddha bathing ceremony, expressing gratitude and reverence. Combining charitable service with spiritual practice, this event brought warmth, support, and blessings to children, elders, and the wider community.
South African BLIA Members Participate in Global Sutra Transcription
May 16, 2023
Fo Guang members from South Africa, Lesotho, and the Congo joined the 57th Anniversary Global Sutra Transcription online, honoring the life and teachings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Over 400 participants from Nan Hua Temple, Durban, Newcastle, Cape Town, Lesotho, and Congo participated. Engaged in sutra transcription with devotion, this reflects Venerable Master Hsing Yun's teachings, promoting the practice of "Three Good Deeds and Four Giving,” and planting seeds of Dharma for future generations.
Adult Blessing Ceremony and Special Celebration of Mother's Day: Purifying the Mind through Sutra Transcription and Buddha Bathing
May 14, 2023
On May 14, nearly 100 participants attended the Adult Blessing Ceremony at Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple, celebrating both Mother’s Day and Buddha’s Birthday in a meaningful way. The ceremony featured transcribing sutras, guided meditation, and a Buddha bathing ceremony to cultivate mindfulness, cleanse negative energy, and inspire positivity.
Buddha Bathing Ceremony: Spreading Kindness and Building Connections in the Community
May 7, 2023
The BLIA Cape Town Chapter held a Buddha Bathing Ceremony at the Ottery China Mall, attracting nearly 300 participants in just four hours. Guided by Nan Hua Temple Manager, Venerable Hui Xing, attendees offered flowers and chanted sutras, welcoming people, including families, mall staff, and passersby, to join. Visitors shared that the ceremony brought peace, reflection, and a deeper appreciation for Buddhist teachings, exemplifying Master Hsing Yun’s vision of spreading Buddhism outward.
April 2023
Study Camp: Preparing Young People for Academic Success
April 30, 2023
From April 28 to 30, 2023, the BLIA YAD SA held a three-day Study Camp at Nan Hua Temple to prepare 60 high school students for university and high school exams. The camp combined study sessions, peer tutoring, and workshops led by university students and experienced young professionals to share study tips and career guidance. Activities included ice-breaking games, Tai Chi, morning exercises, meditation, and interactive quizzes to balance learning with focus and relaxation. The camp concluded with a blessing ceremony led by the Nan Hua Temple Manager, Venerable Hui Xing, where participants offered lamps and recited Master Hsing Yun’s Prayers for Examinees, receiving encouragement and guidance for their academic journey.
Venerable Master Hsing Yun Praising Ceremony: South African Carry Forward Compassion and Wisdom
April 9, 2023
Nearly 200 BLIA members gathered at Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple for the Praising Ceremony of Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Through talks, personal reflections, and performances by the Nan Hua Performing Arts Group, Fo Guang Youth, and BLIA Johannesburg Chapter members celebrated Master Hsing Yun's wisdom, compassion, and guidance in modern Buddhist revival.
February 2023
Sharing Endless Compassion:
BLIA Johannesburg Chapter Donates Supplies to Local Informal Settlements
February 17, 2023
The BLIA Johannesburg Chapter, guided by Venerable Jue Di, carried out a donation drive to Diepsloot informal settlements through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP), delivering over a ton of supplies including cornmeal, bread, slippers, and educational materials for children. Despite the hot weather, 13 volunteers worked together with joyful dedication, bringing warmth, and hope to the community.
January 2023
Welcoming the Year of the Rabbit with Joy: Chinese New Year Cultural Festival Returns at Nan Hua Temple
January 22, 2023
Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple hosted its Chinese Cultural Festival to celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Rabbit, attracting over 20,000 visitors. The festival featured a giant rabbit mascot, a wishing tree, lion and dragon dances, multicultural performances, hands-on cultural workshops, and a variety of vegetarian foods, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. Visitors of all ages enjoyed learning about Chinese traditions while experiencing the warmth and inclusiveness of Humanistic Buddhism, making the event a joyful start to the new year.
Distribution of Laba Congee, Spreading Blessings of Peace and Well-being
January 7, 2023
On January 7, the BLIA Johannesburg Chapter held its annual Laba Congee Distribution at the Johannesburg China Mall, organized by Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple to commemorate the Buddha’s Enlightenment Day. Over 50 volunteers, including local South Africans, Chinese devotees, and Fo Guang Youth, joyfully prepared congee to share blessings of peace and gratitude. More than 2,500 bowls of Laba congee and Master Hsing Yun’s calligraphy couplets were distributed to Chinese malls, shops, and elderly homes. After a three-year pause due to the pandemic, the return of this warm-hearted tradition brought great joy and auspicious wishes to the community.
Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony and Baby Blessing Ceremony on the First Day of 2023
January 1, 2023
On January 1, 2023, a Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony and Baby Blessing Ceremony were held, marking an auspicious start to the new year. Nearly thirty devotees took refuge and precepts, reaffirming their faith and commitment to Humanistic Buddhism, while around sixty children received blessings for health, wisdom, and happiness. The event brought together families of diverse backgrounds, reflecting the inclusive spirit of Buddhism and the aspiration to spread Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Humanistic Buddhism across Africa, planting seeds of compassion and enlightenment for generations to come.