BLIA Highlighted Culture at the United Nations; Dharma Saying and Interaction Promotes International Exchange

One of the highlights at the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), is the Artisan Fair which was held on March 11. The Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) and Fo Guang Shan New York Temple had an arts and culture booth to share the philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism with participants from around the world.  Through Buddhist cultural and creative displays and interactive activities based on Dharma sayings, there were numerous opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges.

This year’s CSW70 opened in New York on March 9, bringing together participants to discuss issues related to women’s rights and gender equality. The Artisan Fair, took place on March 11 at the Church Center for the United Nations. Organizations from various countries set up their booths, sharing their ideas through handicrafts and cultural displays, demonstrating the cultural contributions of civil society organizations engagement in global women’s issues.

Venerable Ming Hua of Fo Guang Shan New York Temple led BLIA members and BLIA youth in organizing the arts and culture booth. The booth featured a variety of Buddhist-inspired cultural items, including pendants, prayer beads, little novice monk figurines, scarves, and incense products. These items combined artistic aesthetics with cultural meaning, attracting many participants to stop by, view the displays, and engage in conversation.

BLIA members also took the opportunity to introduce the online parallel forum organized by BLIA, inviting participants from different sectors to join discussions on women’s issues and the philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism. They also made available booklets of writings by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan, for the visitors which offered wisdom and blessings of Humanistic Buddhism to friends from different countries.

Among the activities, the “108 Matters of Life” Dharma Saying drawing was especially popular with visitors. Participants randomly selected a Dharma saying by Venerable Master Hsing Yun as a blessing and reminder to take home. In a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, participants experienced the warmth and wisdom of Buddhist teachings while becoming more familiar with Humanistic Buddhism and the ideals of BLIA through this simple interaction.

The fair brought together civil society organizations from different countries and regions, each presenting their cultural background as well as key concerns through display boards and informational materials. The booths featured a wide range of items, including handicrafts, specialty foods, souvenirs, and tea products from various countries. This allowed participants to experience diverse cultural traditions and demonstrated the vibrancy and diversity of international grassroots exchange.