2026-09-18 Observing International Day of Peace: Miami Fo Guang Members Step into the Community to Spread the Message of Peace

In response to the United Nations' "International Day of Peace," Elder Advisor of the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Miami Chapter, Mei Han-Zheng, Fort Lauderdale Subchapter Treasurer Ma Sumei, and three other members were invited to Coral Springs, Florida, on the morning of September 18. They attended the "International Peace Day" commemoration co-hosted by the City of Coral Springs, the Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee, and the Clergy Coalition of Coral Springs, Parkland, and NW Broward. They gathered with community members from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds to jointly pray for world peace.

Held at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, the event aimed to promote peace, mutual understanding, and community inclusion. Community leaders and representatives from different religions were invited to share their messages of peace. Activities such as blessings and a peace walk in the park helped unite the community's shared vision for peace, while students used art and music to express the younger generation's hopes for a peaceful world. People from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds deepened their understanding through interaction, transcending ethnic, cultural, and religious differences with respect and tolerance.

The Miami Chapter participated as representatives of the Buddhist community, taking concrete action to observe the International Day of Peace. Adhering to Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Humanistic Buddhism ideals of "respect and tolerance" and "oneness and coexistence," Fo Guang members engaged in community and interfaith exchanges. This fostered understanding and friendship among different ethnic groups and faiths, extending the concept of peace from the individual to families and the broader community.

During the event, Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook specifically joined the Fo Guang members for a walk through the Peace Garden. Along the way, he introduced the plants and the symbolic meaning of the Peace Pole monument. In relaxed conversation, he shared the city's vision for promoting peace, diversity, and inclusion, giving Fo Guang members a deeper understanding of the local community's long-standing efforts to advocate for peace.

Mei Han-Zheng expressed deep gratitude to the City of Coral Springs for hosting such a meaningful event every year. By participating, the BLIA hopes to bring Humanistic Buddhism's ideal of world peace into the community. Starting with purifying the mind, treating others with compassion, and resolving divides through respect, individual inner peace and stability can ultimately foster harmony within families, communities, and the entire world.

Mayor Scott Brook shared his hope that hosting the International Day of Peace event annually will allow the seeds of peace to take root in the community and extend to the county, the state, and the nation, ultimately spreading the power of peace around the world. He emphasized that peace must begin within each individual's heart by practicing forgiveness, gratitude, and kindness in daily life. He wished everyone a peaceful holiday, a peaceful month, a peaceful year, and a life of peace and good health.

Peace is not merely a shared global vision; it can be actively realized in everyday life. A kind word, a showing of respect, or an act of goodwill can all serve as forces for promoting harmony. By interacting with individuals from different religions and community groups at this event, Fo Guang members not only shared the peaceful ideals of Humanistic Buddhism but also embodied the Fo Guang spirit of stepping into society, serving the community, and using compassion and wisdom to foster the harmonious coexistence of diverse groups.