The Buddha was born in this human world, cultivated himself in this human world, was enlightened in this human world, and taught human beings the way to experience Nirvana (freedom from suffering) in this world and not apart from this human world. The Buddha taught that it is through our humanity that we will attain Buddhahood – full Enlightenment.
Humanistic Buddhism teaches that one can live fully in this human world and practise Buddhism at the same time. The two endeavours are not separate. They support each other perfectly by enabling one to cultivate wisdom that clearly understands the true nature of reality. Humanistic Buddhism encourages one to integrate the Buddha’s teachings of tolerance, loving-kindness, compassion, joyfulness, and equanimity into our lives for the benefit of all beings.
Fo Guang Shan teaches Humanistic Buddhism as a practice of studying, understanding, and applying the Buddha’s teachings in a realistic and meaningful manner in contemporary daily life.
Practise Humanistic Buddhism in Melbourne
At Er You Temple in Box Hill, you can put Humanistic Buddhism into practice every week — through our meditation classes, monthly Buddhist chanting and Dharma services, and the Children’s Buddhism Class 三好學堂. To learn more about the teaching’s great proponent, visit the page of our founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun.