ORLANDO — Valencia College’s Peace and Justice Initiative will join the Guang Ming Temple on Friday, March 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a night of multicultural enlightenment.

As part of the Peace and Justice Initiatives’ fourth goal, to “offer community outreach in peace and justice,” students, faculty and staff will receive a tour of the temple, participate in a presentation on Buddhism, indulge in a vegetarian dinner, practice calligraphy and partake in a tea ceremony.

Guang Ming, meaning “Bright Light” in Mandarin, is one branch of Venerable Master Hsing Yuns’ original monastery Fo Guang Shan, founded in Taiwan during 1967. Venerable Master Hsing Yuns’ global mission “of propagating Humanistic Buddhism and establishing a pure land on Earth,” has taken foothold in the Orlando community, currently serving as one of the largest Buddhist temples in Central Florida.

The Temples’ main mission is “to nurture talents through education, benefit societies through charitable programs and purify human hearts and mind through Buddhist practices.”

By aligning with the Peace and Justice Initiatives’ promotion of multicultural acceptance and nonviolent conflict resolution, this event will showcase the cooperation between different cultures and the multicultural communication skills necessary to progress in today’s global community.

Located about ten miles from the Peace and Justice Initiatives’ East Campus home, this free evening of multicultural mingling will allow two diverse local communities to participate in dynamic educational experiences ultimately leading to a greater understanding of the potential for a global community.

The Guang Ming Temple is located at 6555 Hoffner Ave. in Orlando, and more information can be found at their website http://www.orlandobuddhism.org