The Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) General Conference 2018  will be held from October 4-9, 2018, at Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan. More than two thousand delegates from BLIA branches around the world will meet to discuss the organization’s continued development and share activities, outcomes, and future goals.

BLIA President Venerable Xinbao will deliver his keynote address, “Faith and Inheritance,” which discusses believing in the Buddha, human desires, purification, and goodwill along with the legacies of faith. As delegates affirm their belief in Humanistic Buddhism, they enact and pass on compassion, wisdom, virtue, and faith.

In 1998 at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, during the ceremony of the return of the Buddha’s tooth (an important relic), then-President of Fo Guang Shan, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and Taiwanese Vice President Lien Chan introduced the Three Acts of Goodness campaign. The campaign, which urged adherents to “do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts,” is now in its twentieth year. Since then, over a million Fo Guang members have subscribed to the Three Acts of Goodness, transforming their communities, schools, and the society into a better world. 

Master Hsing Yun’s concept of Humanistic Buddhism advocated inner peace, family harmony, mutual respect among people, a balanced society, and world peace. Fo Guang members work to establish these goals through the Three Acts of Goodness. Since 2011, BLIA has promoted the Three Acts of Goodness. As of August 2018, there are nearly 1,100 families throughout the world who have been verified as “Three Acts of Goodness” families.

Starting in 2002, BLIA has invited representatives to attend its biennial conference held in Taiwan, which brings members from over one hundred countries to meet, learn, and share their experiences. The theme for the 2018 conference—“Life-Changing Stories”—will present the experiences of youths from Brazil, India, the Philippines, South Africa, and other countries who have gained opportunities, either in education, work, or personal development, through their involvement with BLIA.

The Hsing Yun Humanistic World Literary Forum, in its seventh year, invites leaders to deliver speeches on compassion, wisdom, openness, and innovation in the Buddha Memorial Hall. On October 6th, at the Great Enlightenment Auditorium of the Buddhist Museum, participants will discuss faith and inheritance. As well, the 6th Fourth Council Meeting and the 7th BLIA elections will be held during the conference. On the afternoon of October 9th, the Triple Gems Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony will be held at the Great Compassion Shrine.