L O N D O N

F O

G U A N G

S H A N

T E M P L E

Sakyamuni Buddha is the historical founder of Bud-dhism. Originally named Prince Siddhartha Gauta-ma, he was born in 623 B.C. in ancient India. During childhood, the Prince led a pampered life sheltered from the world’s miseries. As a young man, he was at last allowed to venture from the palace where he witnessed the disturbing fact of sufferings in life: old age, sickness and death. Realising that all worldly pleasures are impermanent, Prince Siddhartha re-nounced his crown and family, and embarked on his

journey to seek the truth. Finally, after six years, during a deep medi-tation underneath a bodhi tree, he attained Supreme Enlightenment and became the Buddha. Buddha shared his teachings so that oth-ers could also discover the path to end all suffering. Over forty-nine years, he travelled extensively throughout India to deliver his teach-ings, including the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, to people in all walks of life. He founded an order of monks and nuns, known as the Sangha, to deliver his teachings.

Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin) Bodhisattva embodies mercy and compassion. Widely known as Guan Yin in Chinese, which is short for Guanshiyin, translates as, “Observing the Sounds (or Cries) of the World”. In her bodhisattva vows, Guan Yin pledges to answer the cries and pleas of all beings that call upon her name.

Amitabha Buddha is referred to as “The Buddha of Infinite Light” in the Mahayana school of Buddhism. While cultivating the path of Buddhahood, he vowed to create a world without sufferings and impurities. His Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss shows us an example of an alternative world of unparalleled beauty and serenity. It is this Western Pure Land that many Buddhists aspire to enter upon when leaving this life.

Ksitigarbha (Di Zang) Bodhisattva is revered for his vow to liberate all beings from the lower realms. Entrusted by Sakyamuni Buddha to alleviate people from their worries and guiding them to enlightenment, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has a deep relationship with living beings of the earth and watches over those who have passed away. Usually depicted as a monk, he carries a jingle staff in his left hand and holds a wish-granting jewel in his right hand. The staff is used to alert insects and small animals. The wish-fulfilling jew-el symbolises the lighting up of darkness in this world.

Bhaisajyaguru is commonly referred to as the Medi-cine Buddha in the Mahayana school of Buddhism. He is described as a doctor who cures the spiritual ills and sufferings from using the “medicine” of his teachings. The Medicine Buddha’s Eastern Pure Land of Crystal Radiance depicts a land of health and harmony. This is another Pure Land where Bud-dhists aspire to enter upon when leaving this life.

Regular Activities ** Timetable

** All Chanting are in Mandarin Chinese with Pinyin Sutras provided. Post-Chanting Sermons are in Mandarin Chinese with English Translation.

Opening hours: Saturdays & Sundays: 9:30AM - 5:00PMMondays to Thursdays: 9:30AM - 12:00NOON; 12:40PM - 5:00PMFridays: Closed all day

London Fo Guang Shan Temple84 Margaret Street, London W1W 8TD.

Tel: +44 (0) 207 636 8394 Fax: +44 (0) 207 580 6220Website: www.londonfgs.org.uk Email: ibps@londonfgs.org.uk

Registered Charity Name: International Buddhist Progress Society UKRegistered Charity Number: 1023575

Li-Bu-Wei Buddha (statue in blue robe): East. He represents confidence and fearlessness. His mudra (hands gesture) symbolises reconciliation and comfort.

Tuo-Pao Buddha (statue in red robe): Centre. He represents spiritual wealth and prosperity. His mudra symbolises unity.

Amitabha Buddha (statue in yellow robe): West. He represents infinite light and boundless life. His mudra symbolises con-centration.

Gan-Lu-Wang Buddha (statue in green robe): North. He rep-resents peace and purity. His mudra symbolises courage and serenity.

Miao-Se-Shen Buddha (statue in white robe): South. He rep-resents inner beauty and dignity. His mudra symbolises total enlightenment.

Every month1st SundayEvery month2nd Sunday

Every month4th SundayEvery month5th SundayLunar New Moon &Full Moon

Every month - 3rd Sunday

Chanting & Birthday Celebration1:30PM - 3:30PMChanting of Amitabha Sutra &Meditation - 1:30PM - 3:30PM

Chanting of Diamond Sutra 1:30PM - 3:30PMChanting of Great Compassionate Mantra - 1:30PM - 3:30PMLight Offering Service10:30AM - 12:30PM

Meditation - 1:30PM - 3:30PM

Who we areEstablished 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 world-wide 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. Humanistic Buddhism is a modern Buddhist philosophy. Its goal is to live the Bodhisat-tva way. Bodhisattvas are energetic and enlightened beings who strive to help us liberate ourselves. Hu-manistic Buddhism places strong emphasis on mak-ing Buddhism relevant in contemporary society by bringing it into all aspects of our daily lives. In the same year, the Buddha’s Light Interna-tional Association (BLIA), London was born. This is a Lay Buddhists group also formed by Venerable Mas-ter Hsing Yun for lay practitioners to join in the propa-gation 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.

Where we areLondon Fo Guang Shan Temple aspires to create a Pure Land on Earth. Housed in a Grade II* listed building, London Fo Guang Shan Temple is a remarkable example of High Victorian polychromatic architecture by one of the

UK’s most significant Victorian architects, William But-terfield. 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 Avalok-itesvara (Guan Yin) Bodhisattva and for Ksitigarbha (Di Zang) Bodhisattva, a meditation hall, a refectory, and a library.

What we doOver 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:

1. Propagating Dharma through Cultural Activities.2. Fostering Talent through Education.3. Benefiting Society through Philanthropic Programmes.4. Purifying Human Hearts and Minds through Buddhist Practices. Cultural Activities. The annual Buddha’s Birthday celebration at popular landmarks such as Leicester Square enables the Temple to reach out to the wider public by sharing the joy and significance behind the ritual of “Bathing the Buddha”. Officially registered to perform marriage ceremonies, London Fo Guang Shan Temple has conducted Bodhi Couple Ceremo-nies for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

Education. There are Sutra Study Groups and Bud-dhism Classes for adults and Little Bodhi Garden (Sunday school) for kids. Seminars such as “Medita-tion and Life” and “Faith vs. Environmental Protection” have been organised to further our understanding of Buddhism and raise awareness of topical issues.

Philanthropy. As a UK registered charity under “IBPS UK”, the Temple and its lay arm participate in local community projects such as visits to elderly homes. The creation of “Fo Guang Grove” in Theydon Bois Woods was the result of a 3-year tree-planting project with the Woodland Trust as part of both the Temple’s

and BLIA London’s contribution towards greening the environment.

Buddhist Practices. Regular services aside, the Temple organises Dharma Functions and retreats. These activities give devotees the opportunity to practise intensively with fellow Buddhists as well as improving our spiritual practice under the close guidance of Venerables of diverse experience.

Buddhism encourages the cultivation of good relationships with others

We, at the Temple, apply the Fo Guang motto of“offer confidence, offer joy, offer hope and

offer convenience”.Fellow Buddhists always look forward to introducing

our services and activities to you.Resident Venerables are available to offer pastoral care and spiritual guidance on specific questions

based on the teachings of the Buddha himself.Or, you can simply drop in to have a moment of

peace and reflect.

The 4 verses of Fo Guang Shan:• May palms in every world be joined in Kindness, Compassion, Joy & Generosity• May all beings find security in Friendship, Peace & Loving Care• May calm & mindful practice give rise to Deep patience & Equanimity• May we give rise to Spacious Hearts & Humble Thoughts of Gratitude

• Venerable Master Hsing Yun

• London Fo Guang Shan Temple