On March 15, on the eve of Guanyin Bodhisattva’s birthday, the Community of Practice (CoP) at Hsi Lai Temple, organized by Hsi Lai TempleSocial Education and Outreach Department and the Hsi Lai Subchapter of Buddha’s Light International Association Los Angeles Chapter, welcomed nearly 40 English-speaking participants for a thought-provoking discussion on the compassion of Guanyin Bodhisattva, known for alleviating suffering with a thousand hands and eyes.

The event featured an insightful dialogue between Dr. Lewis R. Lancaster, Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley, and Venerable Hui Cheng, the Guiding Venerable for the Hsi Lai Subchapter. The discussion centered on how Guanyin’s compassionate wisdom can be practically applied in daily life, followed by small-group discussions and interactive Q&A sessions.

Venerable Hui Cheng opened the session by leading a meditation exercise, encouraging participants to observe their breath and bodily sensations, cultivating a calm and centered mind. He reminded them to let go of past regrets and future anxieties, focusing solely on the present moment.

Dr. Lancaster, who was born in 1932 and has dedicated over 70 years to Buddhist studies, emphasized that Guanyin’s manifestations vary across cultures and traditions, yet the underlying essence remains the same: an unwavering commitment to relieving suffering.

He drew a parallel between this compassion and Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, describing how Master Hsing Yun dedicated his life to “creating space” for others—offering timely and appropriate assistance without hesitation or exhaustion. This “space,” Lancaster explained, represents an expansive and inclusive heart, one that embraces all beings without exclusion.

Discussing upāya (skillful means), or Guanyin’s ability to manifest in different forms according to sentient beings’ needs, Dr. Lancaster encouraged participants to discover their own greatest strengths and potential. He highlighted the importance of adapting to the modern era, particularly in the rapidly evolving age of artificial intelligence, urging individuals to continue learning and helping others without attachment.

Venerable Hui Cheng added that this intrinsic potential is none other than one’s innate Buddha-nature—a limitless capacity for wisdom and compassion. Dr. Lancaster reinforced this point, emphasizing that while Buddha-nature is inherently present in all beings, action is what truly matters.

During the group discussion session, participants shared personal experiences of overcoming challenges using Guanyin’s compassion, wisdom, and skillful means. Following this, each person wrote down their key takeaways and aspirations for embodying Guanyin’s spirit on hand-shaped paper cards, symbolizing the “Thousand Hands and Eyes” reaching out to help all beings. These were then placed on a large display featuring a blooming lotus, representing their collective commitment to putting compassion into action. The session concluded with a recitation of the BLIA verse, dedicating their vows to practice.

In his closing remarks, Venerable Hui Cheng emphasized that the English-speaking Community of Practice aims to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for individuals seeking to apply Buddhist wisdom in daily life. He also introduced upcoming English-language practice sessions at Hsi Lai Temple, warmly inviting all participants to continue their spiritual journey with the community.