QUALITY EDUCATION & GENDER EQUALITY

BLIA provides inclusive, quality education—for girls and women, for underprivileged children and young people—creating the next generation of mindful leaders, leading to the reduction of poverty and inequality and to improving opportunities for work.

Education is at the foundation of all traditional faiths.

our global works

nan hua academy, south africa

Founded in 2013, the Nan Hua Performing Arts Group merges traditional Chinese and African dance, song, and instruments. Over 110 South African young women, who may not have had access to quality, affordable education, attend the academy, with arts courses supplemented by classes in Mandarin Chinese and computer literacy.

Interdisciplinary education and cultural exchanges foster a global outlook for these young women. Upon the world stage, they advocate for continued learning and equal work.

buddha's light scouts

Established in 1996, Buddha’s Light Scouts is the first Buddhist scouts group in the world and has over 2,000 members. Within their troops, young adults develop and grow their training, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

International exchanges between the troops allow the scouts to build upon their education and understand their civic responsibilities and other cultures through travel, workshops, exercises, and community service.

sons of zu lai, brazil

Sons of Zu Lai is an education and vocation program founded in 2003, with the mission of improving the social, educational, and health concerns facing youths who live or grow up in slums.

BLIA has collaborated with community-based organizations and received recognition from local government for success in creating learning and employment opportunities for over 2,500 Brazilian youths. The students gain a system of support through their teachers, classmates and teammates, and BLIA staff. They continue onto jobs or higher education.

under the big tree, india

In 1999, the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Buddhist Studies in India was founded to foster opportunity through education. In 2014, they started the program “Under the Big Tree,” near the city of Bodh Gaya, India.

The project holds lessons for local children and young adults—in particular, girls who are often disenfranchised. The curriculum focuses on language and reading and helps the students and the community in accessing resources and services. Providing a safe, open, and cost-free atmosphere of learning for boys and girls advances literacy and improves the children’s well-being and their futures.

guang ming college, the philippines

Guang Ming College is the fifth member of the Fo Guang Shan University Consortium and is open to students of all faiths. Students matriculate from the competitive baccalaureate program with degrees in dance, theater, or Buddhist studies.

The curriculum combines humanistic education and an engaged, high-quality method of teaching and learning to prepare graduates for success in their future jobs and communities.