二、國際佛光會是何種性質的團體？

國際佛光會是人間佛教、生活佛教的一種制度化的體現。他是僧信七眾弟子共有的團體，從寺廟的法會修持到整個社會公益活動的參與，從佛教徒的團體組織到所有宗教徒的交流來往。佛光會以宗教性格，加上教育性、文化性使得信仰堅定，更對人類有使命感，也因此更超越。

三、國際佛光會的目標是什麼？

1. 讓會員的信仰昇華。

2. 讓會員走向正信之道。

3. 讓會員有更多參與佛教活動的機會。

4. 讓會員從參與服務中廣植福德。

5. 讓會員的生活領域更加寬闊。

6. 讓會員的眼界更加遼闊。

7. 讓會員擁有更多的友誼。

8. 讓會員擁有更多的關懷。

9. 讓會員從中獲得更多的支援。

10. 讓會員在修行道上獲得正確的指標。

四、參加國際佛光會可享受那些權益？

1. 對本會有選舉權及被選舉權、發言權及表決權。

2. 參加本會所舉辦的各種活動及講習會。

3. 協助處理婚喪喜慶事宜。

4. 協助解答各種疑難問題。

5. 透過檢定後，可聘為佛教之檀講師。

五、參加佛光會應盡的義務有那些？

1. 肯定及認同國際佛光會的宗旨與目標。

2. 護持本會的組織與活動。

3. 參加開會並繳會費。

六、國際佛光會未來的展望是什麼？

1. 世界觀：讓佛光普照三千界，法水常流五大洲。

2. 人間性：把佛法由寺廟帶到社會，走入家庭，落實人間。

3. 慈悲心：帶動信徒參與佛學講座、經論研究、社會慈善服務、文化教育等活動，從僧眾的帶動，到信徒的活躍，給信眾更多的籌劃參與機會。

4. 正覺智：提昇學佛者的深度與廣度，在自學上獲得學習機會，同時更能接引大眾、福利人群，完成從自學到利他的菩薩道業。

七、怎樣成立佛光協會或分會？

成立佛光會的八個階段：

1. 先在當地認識朋友，從相處交談中，達到認同。

2. 家庭普照。

3. 舉辦佛學講座。

4. 舉行家庭共修。

5. 確定會務幹部，開始召募會員。

6. 成立籌備會。

7. 舉辦講習會，談理念、目標、想法。

8. 召開成立大會。

八、參加國際佛光會需具備何種條件？

凡認同本會「人間佛教」、「生活佛教」理念，而已皈依三寶之正信僧俗男女七眾弟子，皆可申請入會。

九、國際佛光會以何為主要會務內容？

1. 以教育培養人才。

2. 以文化弘揚佛法。

3. 以慈善福利社會。

4. 以共修淨化人心。

十、非佛教徒能參加國際佛光會嗎？

國際佛光會是一個超越地域、宗教、僧信的佛教組織，皈依三寶的佛教徒才能參加為正式的會員。但是其他宗教的教徒，可以參加成為本會的「佛光之友」。

十一、國際佛光會的會員應有什麼修持？

1. 吃飯前合掌念四句偈： 「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。」

2. 平時修持佛光三昧:(詳見佛光三昧修持法一文） a. 拜願法：一拜一願，每日禮佛十二拜，每拜稱念各種偈文。 b. 念佛法：以歡歡喜喜、悲悲切切、空空虛虛、實實在在等四種心來念佛。 c. 禪觀法：先於佛前發願，再行禪坐觀想。 d. 實踐法：從日常生活中，徹底實踐發願、淨行、懺悔、迴向等四個法門。

十二、如何接引他人加入國際佛光會？

1. 接引新人參加佛光會舉辦的活動，從活動中來認識佛光會，與佛光會接心。

2. 舉辦家庭普照、座談會，為佛光會做說明會。

3. 展現會員應有的樂觀、進取、親切、慈悲的精神，是接引新會員的最好辦法。

十三、何謂人間佛教？

國際佛光會所推動的人間佛教，是以阿含經中佛陀出世於人間，成道於人間，弘化於人間的思想為宗旨，以出世的心性，做入世的事業，積極進取地從事佛教文化、教育、慈善、弘法的事業，轉娑婆穢域為人間淨土，達到「生活佛法化，佛法生活化」的目標。

十四、如何成立團體會員？

1. 佛教寺院、學院、文化社團暨其他公私立機關學校或團體，認同本會人間佛教的宗旨，均可參加佛光會成為團體會員。

2. 索取入會申請書，填具各項資料： a. 具名團體名稱及通訊處。 b. 團體會員須有負責人一名、會員四名。 c. 經由兩名具有佛光會會員資格者介紹。

3. 繳納會費。

4. 支持佛光會做弘法利生事業，建設人間淨土及圓滿一切眾生成佛的使命。

十五、會員們如何舉辦婚喪喜慶？

1. 佛光協會或分會會長，以關懷所屬會員為主，遇有會員婚喪喜慶，應主動代與當地道場連絡，禮請法師祈福祝禱。

2. 遇有婚喪喜慶，協會或分會會長應發動會員們主動前往助念，並不得收取任何紅包供養。

3. 會員們可以彼此參加婚喪喜慶及助念，但不得自作經懺佛事或法會。

4. 協會或各地分會遇當地會員有婚喪喜慶事宜，可以協會或分會名義致贈花籃、輓聯或儀禮，以示關懷之意。

十六、我參加了佛光會，要做些什麼？

參加了佛光會，要接引新會員，對佛教要有堅定的信仰，並且護持佛教心不退轉，奉持佛陀慈悲平等的教化，福慧修持、精進不懈，有智慧地去行善助人，參與佛光會所舉辦之各項活動。

十七、國際佛光會可以舉辦那些活動？

1. 推動佛學研究，闡揚佛法義理，自利利人，自覺覺他。

2. 支持佛教文化事業，透過文學藝術譯介古典經籍，普及佛教資訊傳播。

3. 舉辦社會文化、慈善、服務工作，導正社會風氣，擴大教化功能。

4. 輔助興辦佛教教育，樹立佛教教育制度，提昇佛教教育質量，培植佛門優秀人才。

5. 成立國際組織，舉辦國際學術活動，實現「佛光普照三千界，法水長流五大洲」的偉大理想。

十八、如何成就佛光會員的美滿生活？

1. 節制的感情生活。

2. 合理的社會生活。

3. 正常的經濟生活。

4. 德化的宗教生活。

十九、何謂佛光會員的自在生活？

1. 對感情不執不捨。

2. 對五欲不拒不貪。

3. 對世間不厭不求。

4. 對生死不懼不迷。

II. What kind of organization is BLIA?

BLIA is an organization of monastic and lay Buddhists who practice Humanistic Buddhism in their daily life.  It is essentially an embodiment of cultivation that entails the participation in Dharma services and activities that are beneficial to society at large.  In addition, BLIA maintains friendly ties with devotees of other sects and religions.  With its religious characteristics and the essence of education and cultural activities, BLIA can further strengthen its mission for humanity.

III. What are the goals of BLIA?

1. To strengthen the faith of members;

2. To provide a righteous path for members;

3. To provide opportunities for participation in Buddhist activities;

4. To create positive conditions for members to cultivate merits;

5. To widen the scope of life for members;

6. To broaden the life perspectives of members;

7. To create friendships for members;

8. To enhance care and concern for members;

9. To give members more support;

10. To provide members the right direction in their cultivation.

IV. What are the benefits for BLIA members?

1. Right to vote, be elected, to speak their views; 

2. Participation in BLIA activities and seminars;

3. Assistance in weddings, funerals, and celebrations;

4. Assistance in spiritual guidance;

5. Appointment as Lay Dharma Lecturers with the appropriate qualifications.

V. What are the responsibilities of BLIA members?

1. Be affirmed and united in BLIA guiding principles and goals;

2. Be supportive of BLIA and its activities;

3. Attend meetings and be current in membership dues.

VI. What are the prospects of BLIA?

1. Globalization: Let the Buddha’s Light shine over three thousand realms and the Dharma Water flow throughout the five continents;

2. Humanism: Adopt the Dharma from our temple to our home and society in order to make it a part of humanity;

3. Compassion: Encourage devotees to participate in Buddhist lectures, discussions, philanthropic endeavors, and educational and cultural activities.  From the initiation of monastics to the participation of members, more opportunities and involvement may be afforded to many devotees;

4. Wisdom: Increase practitioners’ profundity in Buddhist studies.  From self-gaining to the motivation of others in benefiting society at large, actualizing the bodhisattva path.

VII. How to start a BLIA chapter or subchapter?

The following seven steps should be observed:

1. Make friends locally and gain mutual understanding

2. Initiate home Dharma gatherings

3. Organize home Dharma services

4. Affirm executive staff and start recruiting members

5. Establish a preparatory committee

6. Hold discussions on concepts, goals, ideas, etc.

7. Hold an inauguration general meeting

VIII. What are the prerequisites of becoming a BLIA member?

All Buddhists who have taken refuge and share the ideals of “Humanistic Buddhism” and “Living Buddhism” can become members of BLIA.

IX. What are the basic criteria in BLIA affairs?

1. Education to foster talent

2. Culture to propagate the Dharma

3. Charity to benefit society

4. Dharma Services to purify people’s minds

X. May non-Buddhists be members of BLIA?

BLIA is a Buddhist organization that transcends region, religion, monastics or laity.  While Buddhists who have taken refuge in the Triple Gem are eligible to become members, followers of other religions are welcome to join as friends of BLIA.

XI. What are the practice guidelines of BLIA for members?

1. Join palms and recite the four-line verse before meals:

   • 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.

2. Practice the Buddha’s Light Samadhi daily:

   • Prostration: pay homage to the Buddha twelve times daily, each by a vow and a gatha.

   • Chanting: recite the Buddha’s name with four kinds of mind: joyful, sorrowful, empty, and realistic

   • Mindful Meditation: first make vows before the Buddha, and then proceed with sitting meditation.

   • Actualization: thoroughly practice the four methods of making vows, pure deeds, repentance, and transfer of merits.

XII. How to encourage people to join BLIA?

1. Get new friends to participate in BLIA organized activities.

2. Organize home fellowships, discussions, and BLIA introductory workshops.

3. Be positive, diligent, and compassionate at all times – this is the best way of getting friends to join BLIA.

XIII. What is “Humanistic Buddhism”?

Humanistic Buddhism as propagated by BLIA is based on the principles as exemplified in the Agama Sutra in which the historic Buddha who was born in this world, attained enlightenment in this world, and spoke the Dharma to humankind.  BLIA adopts this ideal as a goal to serve society with a transcendental mindset in which “Living in Dharma, and Dharma in Living” is actualized through Buddhist culture, education, charity, and propagation.  It is, in essence, a transformation of the mundane world to a pure land on earth.

XIV. How can an entity join as a corporate member of BLIA?

A Buddhist temple, college, cultural association, school or group is eligible to become a BLIA corporate member if the entity adheres to the following:

1. Complete a membership application:

• Name and Address of Group

• One principal with at least 4 members

• Referral by two BLIA members 

2. Pay membership fee;

3. Support Buddha’s Light philanthropic endeavors in order to establish a pure land on earth and to inspire others in their cultivation efforts.

XV. How do members go about organizing events such as weddings, funerals, or any ceremony?

1. Whenever an occasion of this nature arises, the president of the chapter or subchapter shall take the initiative to contact the local temple to request monastic assistance;

2. The president shall contact other members to support such events without obligations or offering of gratuities;

3. Members may join any chanting group or attend services of another group. However, members shall not conduct Dharma or chanting services by themselves;

4. Flower bouquets, memorial couplets or monetary gifts shall be given on behalf of the chapter or subchapter as a token of good wishes or condolence.

XVI. What is expected of me after joining BLIA as a member?

As a BLIA member, one should welcome new members, have a strong faith in Buddhism, support the Buddha’s core teachings of compassion and equality, diligently cultivate merits and wisdom, help others in the right way, and actively participate in all BLIA activities.

XVII. What kind of activities can BLIA hold?

1. Promote research in Buddhism and disseminate the Dharma to benefit and enlighten oneself and others.

2. Support Buddhist cultural work via arts and literature, translation of sutras, and the dissemination of Buddhist information. 

3. Conduct social work, charity, and services to meet current trends and broaden education goals.

4. Assist in Buddhist education, establish systems and standards, and improve the availability of resources in order to foster skills and talents. 

5. Form international organizations and hold activities to include other countries in order to actualize the ideal: “Buddha’s Light shines over three thousand realms; Dharma Water flows throughout the five continents.”

XVIII. How does a member seek a fulfilling life in BLIA?

1. Responsible relationships.

2. Law-abiding social life.

3. Right livelihood.

4. Virtuous religious life.

XIX. What is a BLIA member’s life of equanimity?

1. Have no attachment or indifference toward relationships 

2. Have no rejection or greed for the five desires.

3. Have no repulsion or craving for worldly things.

4. Have no fear or confusion when facing life and death.