Chin Yin Buddhist Society (True Buddha School - Canada)

The Chin Yin Buddhist Society is a Canadian nonprofit organization associated with the True Buddha School, registered under Business Number 139769103RR0001. It operates primarily through the Chin Yin Buddhist Temple, which serves as a religious and cultural center for the practice and dissemination of Vajrayana Buddhism in Edmonton, Alberta.

History and Background

The society’s practice began in 1984 in the basement of Master Lin Ho's residence. It later moved to a location on 124 Street and 106 Avenue in 1988. In 1991, the society purchased a former church building in Edmonton’s Chinatown, establishing Edmonton's first Buddhist temple under the name "Chin Yin Buddhist Temple." This location served the community until 2002, when the temple moved to its current premises[1][2].

Religious Affiliation and Activities

The Chin Yin Buddhist Temple follows the teachings of the True Buddha School, a Vajrayana Buddhist tradition founded by the Living Buddha Lian-sheng. The temple has played a significant role in supporting the broader Buddhist community in Alberta, including contributing to the formation of the Religious Committee in 1997 by sharing extensive teachings and ritual materials assembled by Master Lian-zhi[2].

The temple encourages active Dharma propagation among its members and has developed a group of qualified lecturers who promote Buddhist teachings locally. Some members, including Master Lian-zhi and others, have attained advanced Buddhist studies degrees, enriching the academic and practical understanding of Buddhism. Reflections and teachings derived from the Living Buddha Lian-sheng’s works are regularly published in English and Chinese to engage the local and diaspora community[2].

Community and Educational Contributions

Chin Yin Buddhist Temple has been a venue for academic and religious events, including Alberta’s first seminar on Vajrayana Buddhism and True Buddha School in 2007, which welcomed scholars worldwide and fostered academic research on the topic[2]. The temple supports the participation of its practitioners in Dharma propagator training, emphasizing both scholarly study and practical application as essential to Buddhist practice.

The temple also welcomes group visits and serves as a site where academic institutions and religious groups explore Buddhism's teachings and cultural heritage[2].

This Canadian nonprofit organization embodies the True Buddha School's mission to propagate Vajrayana Buddhism through community engagement, education, and preserving religious traditions in Edmonton and the broader region.