2025-08-12 Chicago Chapter Visits Fo Guang Shan Miami: A Dharma Affinity Exchange Across a Thousand Miles

On August 12, under the guidance of Venerable Yonghan, ten members of the BLIA Chicago Chapter traveled across a thousand miles to visit Fo Guang Shan Miami, beginning a warm Dharma affinity exchange. Nearly thirty Fo Guang members from the Miami Chapter lined up to welcome them, with Venerable Jueyan offering greetings on behalf of the temple. Volunteers then led a tour of the temple, followed by a fellowship lunch, allowing culture and Dharma to blend through heartfelt interaction.

Venerable Jueyan remarked that Venerable Yonghan had once served as the abbot of Fo Guang Shan Miami, so this return visit with devotees felt like “coming home.” Upon hearing the news, many local members set aside their work to return to the temple and reunite, moved by the sincerity and warmth of the Fo Guang family.

Venerable Yonghan expressed gratitude for the Miami Chapter’s gracious hospitality and was delighted to see the flourishing development of its activities, praising it as a model for the Chicago Chapter to learn from and exchange with.

During the fellowship lunch, young Tong Hengqing sang “I Have Faith”, expressing devotion to faith, while Sister Luo Jinling performed “Thank You” on the kongling drum, adding joy to the atmosphere. A video highlighting Miami Chapter’s past activities was also shown, sparking lively conversations and laughter. After lunch, participants wrote messages of blessings on the temple’s bodhi tree and took commemorative photos together.

At 1:30 p.m., the Miami Chapter arranged a half-day cultural tour, beginning with a visit to Wynwood Walls, Miami’s world-famous street art district, where abstract, realistic, and graffiti art coexist in creative expression. The group then toured Bayside Marketplace, a lively waterfront destination combining seaside views, shopping, and a yacht marina. There, they enjoyed the ocean scenery, listened to South American-style music, and experienced Miami’s unique local culture.

Chicago Chapter supervisor Zhou Maiping shared that the trip was deeply rewarding—not only bridging the distance between the two chapters but also touching their hearts with Miami’s warmth and hospitality. He expressed hope for continued exchanges and cooperation in the future, working together to spread Humanistic Buddhism across North America.