依來法師 Ven. Yi Lai
2024-03-11
The interview with Venerable Yi Lai, conducted on March 11, 2024, took place at the Fo Guang Shan headquarters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Venerable Yi Lai, the current director of the Fo Guang Shan Charity Council and the deputy secretary-general of the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) in Northeast Asia, shared her personal journey and experiences. Born in 1946 in Yilan County, Taiwan, Venerable Yi Lai recounted her upbringing in a compassionate and generous family, which significantly influenced her path towards Dharma propagation.
During the interview, Venerable Yi Lai detailed her initial connection with Buddhism through Venerable Master Hsing Yun and her eventual ordination. She highlighted her work at the Fo Guang Shan Da Ci Children's Home, where she provided care and education to children and later her role in Dharma propagation in South Africa and Australia. Venerable Yi Lai discussed the establishment of Fo Guang Shan branch temples in Australia and the significant Bathing Buddha Festival at Chung Tian Temple in Queensland and Nan Tien Temple in Wollongong, emphasising the importance of integrating local culture in promoting Buddhism. Additionally, she implemented Venerable Master Hsing Yun's vision of "temples are also schools" by holding Chinese schools at the temples, fostering educational and cultural exchange as well as family harmony.
Reflecting on her impact, Venerable Yi Lai expressed gratitude for the recognition she received, including the Australian Federal Centenary Medal. She acknowledged the collaborative efforts in establishing the Nan Tien Institute, transforming a landfill into a valuable educational institution. Venerable Yi Lai's dedication to Humanistic Buddhism and her contributions to multicultural integration and education have had a lasting positive impact on the local communities in Australia, demonstrating the influence of Nan Tien Temple, Nan Tien Institute and Venerable Master Hsing Yun's visions across Australia.
