國際佛光會緣起

　　佛教在集改革、創意、教育於一身的星雲大師領導之下，逐漸跨出寺院，走向城市；深入社會，面對群眾；甚至超越國度，弘化全球。在大師引導帶領下於一九九一年二月三日，「中華佛光協會」一個由佛教信眾組織的人民團體在時代的推動下順應誕生。佛光會在台灣首度創立，受到海內外各方的高度重視。一九九二年五月十六日，「國際佛光會世界總會」成立暨第一次會員代表大會於美國洛杉磯隆重舉行，來自歐、美、亞、非、澳五大洲的群英豪傑，為佛教歷史寫下劃時代的一頁。當時星雲大師親自作偈：「心懷度眾慈悲願，身似法海不繫舟。問我平生何功德？佛光普照五大洲。」為國際佛光會樹立了弘化目標，大師並以「歡喜與融和」作為首次大會主題，希望國際佛光會把歡喜的種子遍灑人間，將融和的理念佈滿世界。

　　國際佛光會並非屬於某一宗派、某一寺院或某一個人所有，而是屬於全世界有心的佛教人士，只要認同佛光會的宗旨和精神者，佛光會均竭誠歡迎加入。如今美國、加拿大、澳大利亞、紐西蘭、法國、德國、英國、荷蘭、瑞典、挪威、瑞士、俄羅斯、馬來西亞、印尼、新加坡、菲律賓、日本、韓國、台灣、香港、澳門、泰國、印度、錫蘭、巴西、阿根廷、南非、史瓦濟蘭、賴索扥、奈及利亞……等五大洲百餘個國家地區相繼成立了國際佛光會的組織，大眾目睹有太陽的地方就有佛光會，有海水的地方就有佛光人。

　　此外，國際佛光會接受各寺院、佛學院、居士林、念佛會、禪修會等參加團體會員，只要是社會有需要的地方，佛光會即不分社團，盡力服務贊助，施與歡喜，將佛光會樹立成一個慈悲包容的社團。

　　佛光會重視社會福祉，全球佛光人都致力於參與當地社會公益活動，展開服務人群、造福社會的具體行動。在文化教育方面，如舉辦生活佛學講座、梵唄音聲弘法、青年兒童冬夏令營、編輯發行刊物等淨化心靈活動，並積極推動讀書會、青年團、童軍團等公益組織；在服務慈善方面，如倡導廢紙回收、植樹育土等環保觀念，舉辦親子郊遊、運動比賽、反毒戒毒、監獄探訪等社福活動，並積極投入救災賑災、老人育幼病者探訪、捐血義診等慈善救濟行列。

　　由於佛光會具足現代化和信仰普及的特性，佛法的種子得以普灑五大洲。而且在「尊重與包容」理念的推動下，萬千佛光會員懷著歡喜與融和的菩薩精神，積極在全球各地闡揚人間佛教。令人鼓舞的是，今天佛光會員四句偈-「慈悲喜捨遍法界，惜福結緣利人天，禪淨戒行平等忍，慚愧感恩大願心。」已成為大眾日常生活中的普遍修行。每次飯前，會員們亦都以合掌持念佛光會員四句偈來提醒自己，效法四大菩薩，發揚悲智願行的利他善舉，期許自己化為人間的一股暖流，為全人類社會帶來溫馨和樂，為國家帶來光明安泰。

THE ORIGIN OF BLIA

In Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Buddhism has found a reformer, an innovator, and an educator.  Under his strong leadership, Buddhism has extended beyond traditional temple life to encompass and further enrich the lives of modern city dwellers.  Today, it has transcended national boundaries and has afforded people from all over the world the opportunity to be a part of it.

Initially formed on February 3, 1991, in response to the needs of local Buddhist practitioners, BLIA Chunghwa in Taiwan gradually gained recognition overseas. Subsequently, "Buddha’s Light International Association" was officially inaugurated in Los Angeles, the United States on May 16, 1992 during which a new chapter in Buddhist history emerged. As Buddhist delegates from Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Australia rendered their support by attending the first BLIA General Conference, Venerable Master Hsing Yun commemorated the unprecedented event with the following verse:

“My mind embodies the compassionate vow to liberate all sentient beings;
My body is a raft floating in the Dharma ocean.
What are my merits in this lifetime?
The Buddha’s Light shining on the Five Continents."

As a starting goal for Buddhist propagation, Venerable Master Hsing Yun endorsed the spirit of “Joy and Harmony” as the theme for the first BLIA General Conference.  In doing so, it was hoped that BLIA would sow the seeds of joy throughout the world and the ideal of harmony would prevail among all people.

BLIA is not the organization of a certain sect, temple, or person.  It is an organization that belongs to all the Buddhists in the world.  People who subscribe to the guiding principles of BLIA are welcome as "Buddha’s Light Friends."  Currently, nearly two hundred BLIA chapters have been established in more than one hundred regions worldwide such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Nigeria etc.  Gradually but surely, there will be BLIA chapters throughout every corner of the world where the presence of BLIA members will make a difference for the benefit of humanity.

BLIA works closely with members of other Buddhist temples, colleges, scholastic organizations, lay practitioners associations, and meditation groups.  BLIA will attempt to accommodate requests for assistance from any source if a need arises.  The primary objective of BLIA is to serve the people, spread a joyous spirit among them, and help others to instill the virtue of compassion within them.

As members are aware, BLIA places much emphasis on social services through a host of well-designed activities.  For example, BLIA is active in the “Save the Earth” campaign and the preservation of nature and the environment.  There are regular schedules for collecting recycled products and for the planting of trees.  In the recent past, BLIA was instrumental in planting about 20 millions trees in Taiwan.  As a means to help improve the conditions of our communities, BLIA has also participated in some governmentally sponsored activities such as anti-drug campaigns, international disaster relief efforts, etc.  

Due to the fact that BLIA is able to meet the challenges dictated by modern technology, the seeds of Buddhism can easily be planted throughout the five continents.  In addition, under the strong support for the ideal of “Respect and Magnanimity,” members of BLIA strive to emulate the bodhisattvas’ spirit to help actualize the four-line verse of BLIA:

“May palms be joined in every world in kindness, compassion, joy, and giving.
May all beings find security in friendship, peace, and loving care.
May calm and mindful practice seed patience and equanimity deep.
May we give rise to spacious hearts and humble thoughts of gratitude.”

Modeling our behaviors on the Four Great Bodhisattvas, we recite this verse before each meal to remind us of our vows to help others, to make this world a better place, to bring joy to humanity, and to achieve peace among nations.