About Fo Guang Shan

Venerable Master Hsing Yun founded Fo Guang Shan in 1967.

Established in 1992, London Fo Guang Shan Temple is an active centre of Buddhist worship and teaching in the Mahayana tradition. It is one of the 200 worldwide branches of Fo Guang Shan Monastery founded in Taiwan by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1967.

The Temple propagates the Dharma (Buddhist Teachings) of Humanistic Buddhism advocated by the Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Humanistic Buddhism is a modern Buddhist philosophy. Its goal is to live the Bodhisattva way. Bodhisattvas are energetic and enlighten beings who strive to help us liberate ourselves. 

Humanistic Buddhism places strong emphasis on making Buddhism relevant in contemporary society by bringing it into all aspects of our daily lives. In the same year, the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) London was born. This is a Lay Buddhists group also formed by Venerable Master Hsing Yun for lay practitioners to join in the propagation of the Buddha’s teachings under the guidance of monastics. The BLIA headquarter is in Los Angeles, California, USA. In every temple of Fo Guang Shan in the world, there is a BLIA chapter within it to assist the temple in spreading the Dharma.

London Fo Guang Shan Temple aspires to create a Pure Land on Earth. The temple occupies a distinctive Victorian Gothic building, originally constructed between 1868 and 1870 as a parish school and church house for All Saints Church, Margaret Street. Designed by William Butterfield, one of the foremost architects of the Victorian Gothic Revival, the building is recognized as a Grade II* listed structure of architectural and historic importance.

Only a few minutes away from Oxford Street, the Temple provides a sanctuary from the stresses of urban life. Spanning four floors, the Temple consists of the Main Shrine, two additional Shrines for Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin Pusa), Bodhisattva and for Ksitigarbha (Di Zang Pusa) Bodhisttva, A meditation hall, a refectory and a library.

Over two decades, London Fo Guang Shan Temple and its affiliated association have actively fulfilled their role in spreading the Dharma of Humanistic Buddhism based on the four principles initiated by the Venerable Master:

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Propagating Dharma through Cultural Activities (Culture)

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Fostering talents through education (Education)

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Benefiting society through Philanthropic Programme (Charity)

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Purifying human hearts and minds through Buddhist practices (Cultivation)