NEW YORK: The Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) delivered a presentation on “Life-long Learning for Women – The Example of Zhibin” at a parallel forum of the 69th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nation headquarters in New York City last Thursday.

BLIA, a non-governmental organisation under the Taiwan Buddhist group Fo Guang Shan, participated in the forum for eighth consecutive year.

This year, women volunteers from BLIA shared heart-warming stories on how they reshaped themselves and enriched their lives through volunteering as “Zhibin” or guest liaison.

They may be high-flyers but opt to volunteer as Zhibin in BLIA, and it turns out to be a life-long learning experience where they improve further while benefiting others.

Speakers at the forum are: Venerable Yung Ku, BLIA Vice Secretary General of America East; Mabel Lam, BLIA United Nations Development Committee director; Celia Chen, English Presenter for Hangzhou’s bid for the 19th Asian Games; Jenny Chen, President of BLIA New York Chapter; and Julia Shih, Deputy President of BLIA Vancouver.

Ordinary roles, extraordinary achievements

At Fo Guang Shan temples and major events, Zhibin volunteers are often seen wearing pink-embroidered black cheongsams, gracefully and warmly attending to their duties.

They may not be the main characters of the events, but their presence is irreplaceable.

Often described as the “first gateway” to Fo Guang Shan, they are the extension of the monastics and the first warm encounter for every visitor.

Though they come from diverse professional backgrounds, they humble themselves in service, setting aside status and expertise to devote themselves whole-heartedly to helping others.

It is through this gentle strength that they have transformed seemingly ordinary roles into something truly extraordinary.

Ven. Yong Gu: Zhibin system nurtures women’s potential

At the forum, Venerable Yung Ku explained how BLIA promotes gender equality through its Zhibin training system.

As a member of the United Nations NGO community, BLIA actively supports the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in gender equality and world peace, she said.

Venerable Yung Ku emphasised that women play multiple roles throughout life – as daughters, wives, mothers – without a guidebook to follow, making life-long learning essential.

Through Zhibin training, BLIA cultivates women’s potential, enhancing their social value.

“These programmes boost women’s confidence and leadership skills,” she said, adding that BLIA will continue to support women’s life-long learning and align with the UN’s sustainability goals.

Mabel Lam’s transformation from “Iron lady” to “smiling servant”

“My colleagues used to peek through my office door and ask, ‘Can I speak with you for a moment?’ before quickly leaving. They never dared to step inside,” said Mabel Lam.

Lam, the BLIA United Nations Development Committee Director, shared her transformation from a strict, no-nonsense company head to a warm and approachable leader.

Having worked in the information department under the government and the protocol division under foreign affairs, Lam, then chief administrative officer of an international engineering firm, was known for her no-nonsense attitude.

In 1999, when she began serving at Fo Guang Shan, she discovered the power of a smile.

“When representing BLIA, smiles, tone, and body language all are parts of my learning,” she shared.

Working with volunteers and devotees from diverse backgrounds has taught her to communicate with clarity and respect – a skill that later proved invaluable in her corporate career.

A shift in mindset led her to embrace service not just as a way of helping others but a path for personal growth.

“The energy changed. My colleagues no longer stand at the door when they talk to me.”

One winter evening, a burly engineer knocked on her door. Instead of standing at the entrance, he sat across from her, silent for a long time before breaking into tears:

“I want to transfer out of here… My wife has passed on…”

For an hour, he poured out his pain, and Lam realised:

“True service is not about efficiency; it is about connecting people,” she said.

Celia Chen: From a shy girl to a confident speaker on stage

Many recognise Celia Chen from her role as the English presenter for Hangzhou’s bid for the 19th Asian Games.

With her fluent Chinese and English, she seemed born for the international stage.

But she admitted, “As a child, I never imagined I would one day speak confidently in front of the world.”

At 13, Chen left Hangzhou, China, to study in London. Struggling to find a sense of belonging, she joined Fo Guang Youth and met Zhibin volunteers, who welcomed her with food, kindness, and warmth.

Years later, as an emcee at a BLIA conference at UNESCO in Paris, she was once again moved by the elegance and professionalism of Zhibin volunteers, deepening her understanding of female leadership.

Studying at the London School of Economics, Chen aspired to influence global policy through diplomacy. But an unexpected project – producing a documentary on Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s calligraphy – changed her direction.

Seeing audiences moved to tears, she realised: “Policies may take decades to create change, but a story can touch hearts instantly.”

This insight led her to join CNN International, using media to bridge cultures and connect people.

Later, as a TV host in Hangzhou, she expanded her skills beyond broadcasting, learning scriptwriting, video editing, logistics, and even cinematography.

Her team produced “The Road to Hangzhou 2022”, showcasing the hard work behind the Asian Games, including dedicated female videographers who braved extreme weather, proving that resilience is not exclusive to men.

“Fo Guang Shan taught me that leadership is about empowering others,” she said.

Jenny Chen: When Sustainable Development Goals meet Humanistic Buddhism

BLIA New York President Jenny Chen highlighted the similarity between Humanistic Buddhism and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – both rooted in equality.

She described Zhibin training as a place where women gain confidence through service, etiquette, and internal cultivation.

Stories of Zhibin volunteers transforming from shy individuals to confident professionals illustrated how women rediscovered their self-worth and leadership through life-long learning.

“A woman once too shy to converse due to her introverted nature, transformed into a confident professional woman through repeated reception service. Another Zhī Bīn volunteer when faced with an unkind attitude, resolved the conflict with patience, ultimately earning the other party’s gratitude,” she said.

She shared that many women have stepped out of their kitchens and rediscovered their self-worth through Zhibin education.

By learning the art of hosting and international etiquette, some home-makers have brought elegance to their daily lives, improving family interactions.

“Even the smallest woman can stand up to protect and uphold the Dharma. When women believe they can become bodhisattvas, their mindset naturally expands,” she said.

Once a musician with the New York Symphony Orchestra, Jenny Chen enjoyed the applause under the spotlight but always felt her life lacked a deeper meaning.

Through years of service in the Buddha’s Light Youth Association, she cultivated a more accommodating personality and transitioned to becoming a university music professor, using art as a bridge to help young people.

“The volunteer service at BLIA has taught me that true achievement lies in making others better because of you.

“We are not just here to help others; we are here to grow ourselves,” she said.

Julia Shih: Passing down the Zhibin spirit

Julia Shih, Vice President of BLIA Vancouver, grew up watching her mother’s journey as a Zhibin volunteer.

Her mother, a former Taiwanese actress, found new meaning in life after moving to Canada and dedicating herself to Zhibin service.

From the spotlight on stage to the frontline of serving others, my mother spent 30 years learning to resolve conflicts with patience and spread the dharma through her smile,” Shih said.

Through her mother’s example, Shih embraced the values of dignity, patience, and self-worth – qualities she now applies to running her family business.

“Zhibin service is a life-long practice,” she said.

“By serving others, we find our own value,” she said.