TORONTO, October 28, 2026 – On October 25, 2026, Venerable Dayi Shi, President of the Buddhist Association of Canada and Abbot of Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada, presided over a Tiantai Buddhist Dharma transmission ceremony at the garden’s Mahavira Hall. During the ceremony, he transmitted the Tiantai lineage to eight disciples, who formally received the teachings and became the 47th-generation lineage successors. Monks, nuns and lay followers attended the ceremony, witnessing the continuation of the Tiantai Buddhist tradition in Canada.
Venerable Dayi Shi is a 46th-generation lineage holder of the Tiantai school. The ceremony followed traditional Chinese Buddhist rituals, including paying homage to ancestral masters and formally receiving the Dharma lineage. These practices reflect the Tiantai tradition’s emphasis on teacher-disciple transmission, doctrinal study and spiritual cultivation.
The Tiantai school is an important tradition of Chinese Buddhism, known for its integration of Buddhist doctrine and contemplative practice, particularly the cultivation of concentration and insight. Dharma lineage transmission represents not only the continuation of the school’s teachings but also the responsibility of a new generation of practitioners to further study, practise and promote Buddhist culture.
The eight disciples who received the 47th-generation Tiantai Dharma lineage were Jirong, Jizhao, Jishi, Jizhong, Jichi, Jirun, Jiyi and Jidi.
Speaking at the ceremony, Venerable Dayi Shi described the transmission as an important step in continuing the Tiantai Buddhist tradition in North America. He noted that the Tiantai school emphasizes harmony, inclusiveness and the integration of different perspectives, preserving the teachings of Chinese Buddhism while encouraging exchanges with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
He encouraged the eight disciples to value the opportunity to receive the lineage, deepen their understanding of Tiantai teachings, uphold Buddhist precepts and remain committed to spiritual practice. He also urged them to engage with Canada’s multicultural society and share Buddhist teachings in ways that local communities can understand and embrace, bringing the Buddhist values of compassion and wisdom into everyday life.
Venerable Shengrong, who participated in the Dharma transmission, said receiving the Tiantai lineage was both an honour and a responsibility. He explained that accepting the lineage goes beyond receiving formal recognition as a successor to the tradition. It also serves as a reminder to continue studying and practising diligently, apply the teachings in daily spiritual cultivation and work alongside fellow disciples to preserve and promote Buddhist culture.
Venerable Tiankong, who comes from a Western cultural background, said the Tiantai school’s philosophy of harmony and integration has been a significant influence on his spiritual practice. He expressed hope that he could introduce Chinese Buddhism through local languages and use meditation, mindfulness and cultural exchange activities to help people from different backgrounds better understand Buddhist traditions.
Over the years, Venerable Dayi Shi has continued to promote the development of Chinese Buddhism in Canada through the Buddhist Association of Canada, Cham Shan Temple and Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada. These efforts have included Buddhist education, cultural exchanges and community service programs.
As one of Canada’s important Buddhist cultural sites, Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada brings together traditional Chinese Buddhist architecture, landscape design and religious culture, providing local residents with opportunities to experience and learn about Chinese Buddhism.
The Tiantai Dharma transmission ceremony also demonstrated ongoing efforts to preserve Chinese Buddhist religious traditions in Canada while preparing a new generation of lineage successors.
Looking ahead, Venerable Dayi Shi said Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden in Canada and Cham Shan Temple will continue promoting systematic study and practice of the Tiantai tradition. Through Dharma lectures, meditation, group practice and educational exchanges, they aim to train future Buddhist teachers and strengthen connections with schools, community organizations and cultural groups.
The ceremony not only continued the traditional transmission of the Tiantai Buddhist lineage but also marked a new chapter for the eight disciples as they undertake Buddhist education, cultural exchange and community service activities across Canada and North America.
（LJI by Yuanyuan）
