Today we visited Fo Guang Shan, a Buddhist monastery and cultural center just outside of Kaohsiung. I had seen photos before, but nothing really prepared me for the scale of it. It was huge!—the long walkway lined with statues of Buddhas, the towering pagodas, and the massive golden Fo Guang Big Buddha at the end. It was huge! I was amazed at how something like this could be built by mere humans.
Our tour of the museum was led by kind volunteers of the monastery and a Buddhist monk in traditional robes. The exhibits inside taught us about the life of the Buddha, the origins of Buddhism, and how Fo Guang Shan’s founder, Master Hsing Yun, promoted Buddhist teachings through education and cultural outreach. We learned about his famous “one-stroke calligraphy” that he started practicing when he began losing his vision. I really admired that he put all the money he earned from it towards an education trust fund for Taiwanese students. I guess that’s what a Buddhist monk should do with their money, but I was still impressed all the same—it showed how deeply he lived by his values, not just preached them.
Throughout the museum, there were intricate statues, relics, and even interactive displays. The monk explained everything with such calm clarity that it made me more curious about Buddhism’s core beliefs, especially the idea of compassion as a daily practice. Honestly, there were moments when I considered converting to Buddhism! I grew up Christian, but now consider myself Agnostic. As I learned more about the ideas promoted by Buddhism, I realized they align well to my core beliefs in my daily life, such as treating others with kindness, letting go of attachment to things I can’t control, and striving to be present and self-aware. It felt less like a strict religion and more like a guide for how to live thoughtfully and ethically. Even though I might not fully convert, I left feeling inspired to incorporate some of those values and practices—like mindfulness or intentional compassion—into my own life.