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Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center

佛光山國際翻譯中心

Language: English & Chinese

The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise, Fascicles 26-30

大智度論

Fascicle twenty-six details the eighteen exclusive attributes of the Buddha.

Fascicles twenty-seven through thirty elaborate further on what a bodhisattva should practice on the path toward Buddhahood in The Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra: those who wish to eliminate the habitual tendencies of afflictions, abide in the six supernatural powers, surpass the sravaka and pratyekabuddha states and abide in the non-regressing state, attain the dharanis and the samadhis, gain immeasurable and limitless virtue, perfect the Buddha’s thirty-two major marks and eighty minor marks, and ensure that all sentient beings become established in the perfections of giving, morality, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and wisdom should learn the perfection of prajna wisdom.

Fascicles 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20 & 21-25 are also available.
Learn more.

Language: English & Chinese with pinyin

(Reprinted / back in stock)

The Lotus Sutra’s Universal Gate Chapter on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

觀世音菩薩普門

“The Universal Gate Chapter” introduces the compassionate visage of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Chinese: Guanyin), who has been a source of inspiration and devotion for Buddhists and non-Buddhists for centuries. This short chapter of The Lotus Sutra, chanted and memorized throughout East Asia, is believed to be a strong protection of our body and mind.

佛陀在《觀世音菩薩普門品》中，讚揚了千百年來被世人所敬仰、供奉的大慈大悲觀世音菩薩。該品從《妙法蓮華經》中節選，在東亞地區廣泛流行。奉持、讀誦之人可獲觀世音菩薩身心的保護。

Language: English & Chinese with pinyin

(Reprinted / back in stock)

The Medicine Buddha Sutra

藥師琉璃光如來本願經

Medicine Buddha, the Buddha of healing in Chinese Buddhism, is believed to cure all suffering (both physical and mental) of sentient beings. The Medicine Buddha Sutra is commonly chanted and recited in Buddhist monasteries, and the Medicine Buddha’s twelve great vows are widely praised.

在漢傳佛教中，藥師佛因為他的殊勝功德被廣泛地禮拜、供養，《藥師琉璃光如來本願功德經》也在佛教寺院盛行。其中介紹的藥師佛的十二大願更是被世人傳頌至今。

Looking for more sutras and chanting texts? Most of our titles are available online to read or download.

Pratiquer à son aise dans le monde des hommes: Commentaires à propos des Huit consciences

在人間自在修行 – 八識講話
(Language: French)

Practicing freely in the human world:
Commentaries on the eight consciousness

Written by
Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Looking for more French books & booklets? We have many titles available to read online or download.

Scholarship News

Are you a graduating high school senior or college freshman and interested in learning more about Buddhism?

We are excited to offer multiple scholarships for qualifying students planning to attend college in Southern California.

Students will work directly with the International Translation Center and attend special events and workshops at Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, CA.

News & Updates

The application period for the 2025–2026 year has now ended. Qualifying students can apply directly through our website beginning September 1, 2026.

Current scholarship recipients can now submit their renewal documents directly through our website as well!

Have additional questions? Find the answers in our FAQ and Glossary.

Scholarship Activities & Events

FGSITC Buddhism Friendship Scholarship: Youths Follow the Example of the Bodhisattvas

FGSITC Buddhism Friendship Scholarship: Sparking Wisdom and Creativity

FGSITC Buddhism Friendship Scholarship: Nurturing Global Youth in Dharma Propagation

FGSITC Buddhism Friendship Scholarships Encourage Bilingual Learners to Translate

© 2025 Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center

On March 8th, Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center held the first Buddhism Friendship Scholarship Workshop of 2025 at Hsi Lai Temple [in Hacienda Heights, CA], with a total of 15 students participating. Starting in 2023, the program has partnered with the AJ Wang Foundation to provide scholarships to outstanding bilingual college students and high school seniors in Southern California. The workshop covered such topics as Asian immigrant history, Buddhism and natural ecology, and meditation and included group discussions to explore cause and effect as well as environmental and spiritual preservation.

Minh-Hoa Ta, president of the University of the West, opened the workshop with a class titled the Asian American Experience, introducing outstanding Asian-Americans, followed by a Q & A session. She looked back at the historical challenges of Asian immigrants, emphasizing the importance of self-identity, teamwork, knowledge, and skills. She encouraged students to explore their interests and use technology in a way that keeps up with the times but not to rely too much on AI. She pointed out that physical human interaction is essential to promote innovation and creativity.

Embracing Nature: Ecology from a Buddhist Perspective [written by Fo Guang Shan founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun] won the 2016 Living Now Awards Gold Medal for Ecological Conservation. Buddha’s Light Publications Director, Venerable Miao Hsi, expounded on the contents of the book in a class on Buddhism and Ecology. Buddhism believes that “all sentient beings on earth have Buddha nature”: mountains, rivers, trees, flowers, and plants are all manifestations of the Buddha’s Dharma in nature. Humans coexist with all things in the world. This physical world goes through the process of formation, continuance, destruction, and emptiness; thus, we should protect the natural ecology with unchangeable sincerity, and kindness and compassion. Venerable Miao Hsi further stressed that all phenomena are creations of the mind, and thus it is said, “If the mind is pure, then the land is pure.” Heaven and hell are just in a thought.

Before guiding the meditation class, Hsi Lai Temple’s social education and outreach department leader, Venerable Zhi Xing, led the students to experience meditation in motion through the Yijin Jing [易筋經]. Venerable Zhi Xing said that the purpose of meditation is to train in observation skills and focus the mind.

Among the three karmas [actions] of body, speech, and mind, the karma of the mind is especially critical. By training the mind through meditation and making oneself the master of the mind, one can then make the wisest decision when a situation arises and avoid responding rashly with emotions.

During the study report and discussion session, the director of the International Translation Center, Venerable Yi Chao, divided the students into two groups. The first group discussed Buddhist views on cause and effect, using the English translations of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s works Cause and Effect and Cause and Condition as extracurricular study. The second group explored the theme of Buddhists protecting the environment and protecting the mind, using his works Protecting Our Environment and Environmental and Spiritual Preservation. Students reported on the contents and discussed how to cope with these issues in contemporary life.

In addition to expounding on the teachings of Buddhism, the cause and effect group created a variety of scenarios, allowing students to respond and analyze the consequences from the perspectives of bodhisattvas and sentient beings. The students emphasized that “bodhisattvas fear causes, while sentient beings fear effects” and advocated careful thinking on the three karmas and learning to be a bodhisattva. The environmental and spiritual protection group asked students to plant “mindfulness potted plants” and decorate them with positive words. The process was filled with laughter.

At the end of the day, it was announced that the second workshop will take place on May 31 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to study Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art across Asia.

English Translation and editing by FGSITC staff.

The original article was published in Chinese (reproduced below) on the
佛光山西來寺 Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple Facebook page.
March 9, 2025

佛教友誼獎學金研習營　青年效法菩薩人間行

【人間社潘青霞美國洛杉磯報導】

佛光山國際翻譯中心於3月8日，在佛光山西來寺舉辦2025年第一梯次英文「佛教友誼獎學金研習營」，共15位學員參加。自2023年起，該計畫與AJ Wang基金會合作，為南加州優秀大學及高中四年級雙語學子提供獎學金。此次課程涵蓋亞裔移民歷程、佛教與自然生態、禪修等，並進行分組討論，探討因果及環保與心保。

西來大學校長謝明華開場授課「亞裔美國人歷程」(Asian American Experience)，與學員進行問答並介紹傑出的亞裔美籍人士。她回顧亞裔移民歷史中的挑戰，強調自我認同、團隊合作，以及知識與技能的重要性。謝校長鼓勵學員發掘興趣、與時俱進地運用科技，但不要過度依賴AI。她指出，實體的人際互動對於提升革新力與創意至關重要。

佛光山開山祖師星雲大師的著作《佛教與自然生態》英文譯本 Embracing Nature: Ecology from a Buddhist Perspective，榮獲美國出版界2016年「活在當下」(Living Now Awards)生態保育類金獎。美國佛光出版社執行長妙西法師於「佛教與自然生態」（Buddhism and Ecology）課程中闡述書中的內容，佛教認為「大地眾生，皆有佛性」，山河大地、樹木花草，皆是佛陀法身在自然界中的顯現。人類與萬物同體共生，在這個成住壞空的世界裡，應以不變的真心與慈悲落實自然生態的保護。妙西法師進一步強調，「一念三千」，萬法唯心所造，天堂與地獄，皆由一念而生。

西來寺社教本土化組組長知行法師在指導「禪修課」之前，帶領學員通過「易筋經」體驗動中禪。知行法師表示，禪修的目的是訓練觀照與專注心念，在身口意三業中，意業尤為關鍵。透過禪修訓練這顆心，讓自己做心的主人，當境界現前時，才能作出最明智的決定，避免以情緒魯莽應對。

在讀書報告及討論環節，國際翻譯中心主任依超法師將學員分為二組，第一組探討「佛教對因果和因緣的看法」，採用佛光山開山祖師的英譯作品「談因說果」以及「佛教對因果的看法」二書作為課外研讀教材。第二組探討主題「佛教的環保與心保」，採用佛光山開山祖師的《佛教對環保的看法》以及《環保與心保》二書為題材。學員們報告其中內容以及討論當代生活如何因應之道。

兩組除了闡述佛學義理外，「談因說果組」設計了多種情境，讓學員從菩薩與眾生的角度應對並分析後果，強調「菩薩畏因，眾生畏果」，並提倡在身口意三業上謹慎三思，學習做菩薩。「環保與心保」組則讓學員栽種「正念盆栽」，為盆栽點綴正向字句，過程中充滿了歡笑聲。

在課程尾聲，宣布了5月31日第二梯次的研習營將前往洛杉磯縣藝術博物館（Los Angeles County Museum of Art），參學「法界：亞洲佛教藝術」 (Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art across Asia)。

The original article was published in The Merit Times.
Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple
October 16, 2024

On October 12, 2024, the Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center (FGSITC) held [the first Buddhism Friendship Scholarship Workshop of its third year]* at Hsi Lai Temple [in Hacienda Heights, California].* Eighteen students from high schools and universities across California took part, diving into activities like meditation, studying Humble Table, Wise Fare, brainstorming and recording podcasts, improving time management skills, and discussing how to apply Buddhist principles in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

Venerable Hui Shiuan, Director of the Fo Guang Yuan Hsi Lai Art Gallery, kicked off the workshop with a meditation session. He highlighted that all Buddhist practices are rooted in meditation, which is key for balancing the body and mind. By focusing on breathing, students began to develop mindfulness, which helps with clarity, creativity, and adaptability in daily life. Venerable Hui Shiuan also guided the group on proper meditation posture and techniques.

Venerable Miao Hsi, CEO of Buddha’s Light Publications, USA, led the students in reading and reflecting on Humble Table, Wise Fare, discussing themes like “Picking It Up and Letting It Go,” “If we can embrace you within us, everyone in the world can coexist,” and “A person may have nothing, but they must have compassion.” Venerable Miao Hsi encouraged students to apply these teachings in their lives, promoting wisdom and compassion.

Veteran radio personality Jing Jing Wang, from AM1300 Radio, hosted a “Podcast Guide” session where students brainstormed podcast ideas, equipment, and editing techniques. During a practical exercise, student Gordon Huang interviewed fellow participant Guan Chang about Buddhism, and they completed their first podcast, earning praise from their peers.

Videographer Jonathan Thang presented “Adapting to AI with Buddhist Principles: Timeless Tools for a Changing World.” He addressed the challenges AI poses, like job displacement and inequality, and urged students to embrace Buddhist concepts of impermanence and selflessness to navigate these changes mindfully while helping others.

Finally, addressing a key challenge identified by the students—time management—counselor Connie Kuang led a discussion on effective strategies. She wrapped up the session by quoting Venerable Master Hsing Yun:

“Time management is how we cherish our own life.” She encouraged everyone to think about how they could better manage their time and lead more meaningful lives.

*Edited by FGSITC staff for clarity.

佛教友誼獎學金　培育多元國際弘法青年
The original Chinese article was published in The Merit Times.
Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple
March 16, 2024

Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center (FGSITC) and the AJ Wang Foundation have been collaborating since 2023 to offer the Buddhism Friendship Scholarship to outstanding bilingual students from colleges and high schools in Southern California. On March 16, 2024, marking the second year of collaboration, FGSITC hosted its first workshop of the year at the FGS Hsi Lai Temple. The workshop aimed to enhance the twenty-six participants’ understanding of the translation center and leverage their diverse expertise in propagating Dharma while emphasizing the internationalization of Buddhism.

Venerable Yi Chao, the executive director of FGSITC, introduced the center and the scholarship’s objectives. Founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1996 at Hsi Lai Temple in the United States, FGSITC aims to realize Venerable Master’s vision of “letting the Dharma stream flow across all five continents.” FGSITC, in collaboration with all of the publishing houses under the FGS system, has translated and published Buddhist classics and series in twenty-one languages. Not only have these publications received awards, but they have also been designated as textbooks by university professors. FGSITC provides free public access to its publications and has established a website that facilitates the global dissemination of Humanistic Buddhism. It serves as a platform for participants to showcase their diverse talents, in the hope that they will become vital forces in the propagation of Buddhism. Venerable Yi Chao also expressed gratitude to the scholarship provider, the AJ Wang Foundation, founded by Mr. & Mrs. Jia Peir Wang & Alice Wang.

Shigu Amanda Ling from FGSITC and Echo Tsai, the coordinator of the Scholarship Counseling Committee, welcomed the participants. The committee members who attended were seven professionals from various fields, all expressing high enthusiasm for serving and welcoming participants.

Participants from 2023 shared their reflections on the “Buddhism in Every Step” English Booklet Series authored by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The themes covered the Four Noble Truths, Buddhist perspectives on time and space, Buddhism and psychology, etc. The evaluations conducted by Venerable Yi Chao, Venerable Miao Hsi, Venerable Miao Zhong, members of the Scholarship Counseling Committee, and the new 2024 participants were based on presentation and organization, knowledge, audience engagement, and visual aids. Awards were given to the top three presenters based on these criteria.

Venerable Miao Zhong guided the participants in Buddhist etiquette where, to the sound of the bell, they practiced joining palms, prostrating, and bowing while maintaining mindfulness and regulating their breathing. Teacher Jo Ho from Buddha’s Light Hsi Lai School taught “Unlock Your Buddha Nature Through AI Drawing,” emphasizing Venerable Master’s teaching that “I am the Buddha.” Participants communicated with AI to draw the image of Buddha as perceived in their minds. This session sparked discussions among participants about the impact of AI on their lives. During the ice-breaking session, participants got to know each other through mutual interviews, accompanied by laughter.

Finally, participants opted to join different teams, including translation, media production, and skit creation, hoping to utilize their expertise in collective brainstorming and creation during the subsequent three sessions of the workshop.

Coordinator Echo Tsai expressed her delight in seeing that half of the 26 participants in the 2024 program had returned from the 2023 cohort to attend once again, which she considered an excellent affirmation for the counseling committee. New participant Jia Li Wang expressed gratitude for the tailored curriculum catering to the needs of youth, stating that Humanistic Buddhism brings optimism to life and provides practical guidance. Another new participant, Guan Yi Chang, who aspires to become a psychology professor, expressed that Buddhism stabilizes the mind and is closely related to psychology; she looks forward to more profound learning during the workshop.

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple
February 2, 2024

Originally published in The Merit Times
The Chinese text is available below the English version.

On December 23rd, the Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center (FGSITC) held the “FGSITC Buddhism Friendship Scholarship Appreciation Party” at Hsi Lai Temple. Nearly 60 attendees—including Ven. Yi Kong, president of Fo Guang Shan Cultural Council; abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, Ven. Hui Dong; founders of the AJ Wang Foundation, Mr. JP and Alice Wang; teachers and scholarship recipients—gathered together and encouraged young bilingual learners to continue to fully step into their ‘translation shoes’ and celebrated their collective efforts in helping support the localization and globalization of Buddhism.

Ven. Yi Chao, the director of the FGSITC, introduced the honored guests and the working team, and expressed gratitude for their collective dedication in making the scholarship program so successful.

Ven. Yi Kong emphasized, “Without the translation of classics, there is no Chinese Buddhism,” stressing the pivotal role of translators in the future of American Buddhism. She encouraged learners to use their bilingual abilities to drive the localization of Buddhism—starting from Hsi Lai Temple and then extending out into the other continents.

Mr. JP and Alice Wang—acknowledged scholarship providers and co-founders of Golden Star Technology (GST), were honored with the prestigious Taiwan 2023 National Award of Outstanding SMEs and have been consecutively recognized by the Los Angeles Times as the “Best Work Environment” company, in the Greater Los Angeles area, for several years. Their inspirational, successful careers truly embody Venerable Master’s passion to compassionately foster others’ talents with educational and cultural support.

Abbot Ven. Hui Dong encouraged learners to face all their challenging circumstances with the Buddha’s teachings—never forgetting their own initial vows, always striving to become better individuals, so they can touch the hearts and minds of many.

Mr. JP, once a beneficiary of scholarships himself as a youth, was inspired by Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s own story as a youth, at age 17, he fell very ill and received a half bowl of pickles—during a time when food was extremely scarce—from his master. Venerable Master Hsing Yun promised to never forget and to pay forward his master’s kindness, by sharing Buddhism and by ‘giving to others.’ Mr. JP expressed his commitment to ‘giving back’ to others through scholarship initiatives. Alice Wang shared how learning Buddhism has filled her life with meaning and constantly fuels her wish to spread compassion throughout the world.

The bilingual learners collectively designed a delightful venue layout and program, integrating the content and talents from this year’s four study camps into various performances; such as piano and guitar recitals, chanting of the Heart Sutra, origami art, dances, martial arts, and introducing excerpts from Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s book Bells, Gongs, and Wooden Fish like “The Cushion ” and “Annotation,” and engaging in a lively Buddhist Studies and Worldly Knowledge quiz with venerable. The audience applauded their impressive creativity and diverse skills.

Iris and Anthony Wang, both learners and performers, shared how the month-long intense planning and rehearsals taught them the importance of communication, collective creation, mutual appreciation, and how adapting to circumstances enhanced the bond among all learners—a precious experience! Kristin Chieh mentioned gaining and benefitting so much from the meditation courses and is eagerly anticipating next year’s scholarship study camp. Ryan Kuo’s father, Kevin Kuo, praised the Buddhist Friendship Scholarship’s excellent concept and profound significance, appreciating how it allows children to learn about Chinese culture and broaden their global-eyes.

佛教友誼獎助雙語學員　本土化「譯」不容辭

【人間社潘青霞美國洛杉磯報導】

2023-12-26

佛光山國際翻譯中心於12月23日，在西來寺舉行「佛教友誼獎學金感恩茶敘會」。佛光山文化院院長依空法師、住持慧東法師、獎學金提供者AJ基金會創辦人王家培、許月琴賢伉儷、師長與獎學金學員共近60人出席，期許雙語青年學員「譯」不容辭，為佛教本土化努力，並為集體創作的成果展喝采。

佛光山國際翻譯中心主任依超法師為大眾介紹與會貴賓及工作團隊，特別感謝幕前幕後大家的集體創作，共同來成就獎學金計畫的落實。

依空法師表示，「沒有經典的翻譯，就沒有中國佛教」，強調美國佛教的前景，翻譯人員舉足輕重，鼓勵學員以雙語能力為佛教本土化努力，立足西來寺，走向五大洲。依空法師特別感謝獎學金提供者的王家培、許月琴賢伉儷，兩人創立的吉星科技公司 (GST,Golden Star Technology Inc.)，獲選台灣2023年海外台商中小企業國家磐石獎的殊榮，也數年獲洛杉磯時報評選為大洛杉磯地區「最佳工作環境」的公司。兩人事業有成，更將佛光山開山祖師星雲大師的「文化」、「教育」宗旨身體力行，是令人佩服的菩提眷屬。

慧東法師期勉學員，以佛法面對各種不盡人意的境遇，不忘初心，讓自己成為更好的人。

王家培表示，自己年少時是獎學金的受惠者，再受星雲大師「半碗鹹菜」的啟發，發心以獎學金回饋社會。許月琴則分享學佛讓生命充滿意義，願將悲心遍灑世界。

學員集體創作負責場地布置及節目設計，將今年四次的研習營內容與才藝融入各類表演—鋼琴、吉他演奏、《心經》唱誦、摺紙藝術、舞蹈、武術，介紹星雲大師著作《無聲息的歌唱》一書裡的〈蒲團〉、〈文疏〉等文，學員與法師進行「佛學與世間學」快答比賽，現場掌聲陣陣，讚嘆學員們的創意及多才多藝。

學員Iris Wang及Anthony Wang身兼主持人及表演者，兩人表示，在一個月的緊密籌畫及彩排，學習到溝通、集體創作、互相讚賞、隨順因緣、隨機應變，也增進了所有學員的感情，是彌足珍貴的經驗；Kristin Chieh 表示禪修等課程讓她受益良多，對於來年的獎學金研習營迫不及待，學員Ryan Kuo的爸爸Kevin Kuo表示佛教友誼獎學金立意極佳、意義深遠，欣見孩子能藉此學習中華文化，並放眼世界。

The Great Perfection of Wisdom Treatise, Fascicles 26-30

The Lotus Sutra’s Universal Gate Chapter on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

The Medicine Buddha Sutra

Pratiquer à son aise dans le monde des hommes: Commentaires à propos des Huit consciences

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