2025-11-30 — Uniting Faith and Heritage: The Miami Association Annual Conference Opens New Directions for Dharma Propagation

The Miami Association Annual Members’ Meeting was held on November 30 at the Fo Guang Shan Miami Temple. Members from various subchapters returned to the temple to attend, including the West Palm Beach Chapter, Fort Lauderdale Chapter, Boca Chapter, and the Miami Youth Group. More than ninety members gathered for the event. The meeting was presided over by Shiller, Vice President of the Miami Association, representing President Deng Yanhua. Venerable Ru Yuan, the guiding Dharma master, and Association Supervisor Mei Hanzheng were also present to offer guidance.

The meeting began with a video presentation by Association Secretary Chen Rui, reviewing the achievements of the past year in promoting the Dharma. Following this, Shiller led the members in discussion and approval of six proposals based on resolutions from the 2024 International Fo Guang Shan World Board of Directors Meeting:

1. Promoting the North American Buddhist Examination;

2. Organizing Heart Sutra cultivation and blessing services;

3. Promoting reading groups for Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Record of the Transmission of Humanistic Buddhism;

4. Responding to environmental protection and “mind protection” initiatives by promoting plastic reduction, the “Plan A” vegetarian campaign, and the VegRun charity road race;

5. Promoting the “Three Acts of Goodness” short film initiative and the “Beauty of Fo Guang” photography contest;

6. Encouraging members to participate in the 2026 World Members’ Conference.

During the meeting, Venerable Ru Yuan, on behalf of the resident monastics, specially presented the “Outstanding Achievement Award” to the Miami Association and a Supervisor’s Medal to Mei Hanzheng, in recognition of their efforts in local Dharma propagation. The Venerable emphasized that every member’s contribution represents the collective strength of the community, and encouraged everyone to follow the principles of truth, goodness, and beauty in Humanistic Buddhism while providing systematic care for members. With the 60th anniversary of the Dharma transmission approaching next year, the Venerable expressed hope that the Association would organize a series of themed activities to further inspire the continuation of faith and tradition.

In closing, Shiller expressed heartfelt gratitude to all members for their long-standing selfless dedication. He also congratulated each chapter on the successful completion of their annual elections, resulting in new leadership teams that have laid a solid foundation for development in the coming year. He added that in the year ahead, the Association will focus on “propagating the Dharma through culture,” with the goal of continuing to expand the influence of the Fo Guang family, allowing more people to connect with Buddhism and gain a deeper understanding of the ideals and spirit of Humanistic Buddhism.