The BLIA is an organization of laypersons that promote the internationalization of Buddhism. It stresses strong cooperation between Buddhist monastics and lay followers in activities that range from cultivation through religious services to participation in social activities, from the formation of Buddhist groups to fostering communication with all religious groups. Thus, the BLIA is an organization that embraces compassion and kindness, promotes equality among all sentient beings, respects family life, and emphasizes social welfare. How does the BLIA relate to Fo Guang Shan? Fo Guang Shan is an organization for monastics, while the BLIA is for lay devotees. These two develop together, supporting one another, and shouldering the responsibility of educating all sentient beings. Fo Guang Shan is a group member of the BLIA, fully supporting all BLIA sponsored activities. The BLIA are the Dharma Protectors of Fo Guang Shan, fully supporting the various activities for spreading the Dharma. The BLIA was founded on a belief in the teachings of the Buddha, on a respect for the Triple Gem (the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), and on the interest in teaching the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings. As BLIA members, we must advocate a living Buddhism that seeks to make a Pure Land of this world. Our focus is to teach the Dharma in this world and to practice compassion for the benefit of this world. We must revere the practices that have been bequeathed to us by the Buddha. We must complete the development of our character by practicing the Three Learnings: (morality, meditation, and wisdom). As BLIA members, we must cultivate a broad-minded character, one capable of embracing all cultures and societies of the world. We must publish books and magazines, teach, and do what is necessary to bring the Dharma to its fullest fruition. We must always be willing to open our hearts and do whatever we can to aid and support others.
佛光會員的宗旨是︰
1. 秉承佛陀教法，虔誠恭敬三寶；弘法利生，覺世牖民；
2. 倡導生活佛教，建設佛光淨土；落實人間，慈悲濟世；
3. 恪遵佛法遺制，融和五乘佛法；修持三學，圓滿人格；
4. 發揮國際性格，從事文化教育；擴大心胸，重視群我。
佛光會員具有下列的使命：
1. 以世界觀弘揚佛法，
2. 以人間性落實生活，
3. 以慈悲心普利群生，
4. 以正覺智辨別邪正。
國際佛光會會員信條
我們禮敬常住三寶，正法永存佛光普照。
我們信仰人間佛教，生活美滿家庭幸福。
我們實踐生活修行，隨時隨地心存恭敬。
我們奉行慈悲喜捨，日日行善端正身心。
我們尊重會員大眾，來時歡迎去時相送。
我們具有正知正見，發掘自我般若本性。
我們現證法喜安樂，永斷煩惱遠離無明。
我們發願普度眾生，人間淨土佛國現前。
我們的宣言是:
做個共生的地球人；做個同體的慈悲人。
做個明理的智慧人；做個有力的忍耐人。
做個布施的結緣人；做個清淨的修道人。
做個歡喜的快樂人；做個融和的佛光人。
今後，我們決心勇猛精進，堅忍不拔：
為自己留下信仰；為家庭留下貢獻。
為社會留下慈悲；為生命留下歷史。
為道場留下功德；為眾生留下善緣。
為未來留下願心；為世界留下光明。
佛光會詳細簡介:
國際佛光會世界總會網站
http://www.blia.org/
