2025-05 Scholars Visit Fo Guang Shan Miami to Deepen Academic Exchange on Religion and Culture.

On May 15, 2025, a delegation of five from Florida International University (FIU)'s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs visited Fo Guang Shan Miami for cultural and academic exchange. The group included Dr. Shlomi Dinar, Dean of the School; Dr. Erik Larson, Chair of the Department of Religious Studies; Dr. Jin (Julie) Zeng, Director of the Asian Studies Program; and Stephany C. Alvarez-Ventura, Senior Director of Development. They were warmly received by Venerable Ruyuan, the abbot of Fo Guang Shan Miami; Venerable Juechan; BLIA Miami President Yan Hua Deng; Supervisor Guanglong Zhao; and Executive Hanzheng Mei, among others. The visit was rich in cultural significance and educational value.

The event began with a guided tour of the temple facilities, followed by a video presentation introducing Fo Guang Shan and the Dharma propagation efforts of the BLIA Miami Chapter. This allowed the guests to gain a deeper understanding of Humanistic Buddhism and how Fo Guang Shan members practice and promote it locally. Venerable Ruyuan also introduced several key publications: the Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, personally compiled by the master himself; the Illustrated Encyclopedia of World Buddhist Arts; and One-Stroke Calligraphy, which blends Zen aesthetics with Chinese calligraphy. The visiting professors, many of whom were entering a Buddhist temple for the first time, expressed deep admiration for Fo Guang Shan’s contributions to Buddhist art and culture, praising its role in advancing religious aesthetics and cultural preservation.

Venerable Jue Chan, along with the temple’s kitchen volunteers, hosted the guests with a vegetarian lunch banquet, showcasing a variety of beautifully prepared dishes that left a warm impression. During the meal, Venerable Ruyuan gifted the guests the book “365 Days for Travelers”, further deepening the bonds of friendship through meaningful conversation. To conclude the visit, everyone wrote heartfelt messages on the Bodhi Tree Wall, leaving behind blessings that brought the event to a heartfelt close.

Venerable Ru Yuan shared his joy in announcing that the Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and the Illustrated Encyclopedia of World Buddhist Arts will be officially donated to FIU’s Department of Religious Studies and Asian Studies Program this September, offering valuable resources for both teaching and research. Dean Shlomi Dinar and the delegation expressed deep appreciation and recognition for the visit, stating that these publications will not only enrich course content but also enhance students’ understanding of Asian religion and culture. Looking ahead, they plan to invite Fo Guang Shan monastics as visiting professors and actively promote academic and student exchanges with the Fo Guang Shan university system.