當我們發展會務，吸收新會員時，經常聽到這樣的問話︰「我參加佛光會有什麼利益呢？」不知道佛光會的幹部能否向新會員作一番具體的說明？
其實，參加佛光會就是利益﹗因為佛光會是一個國際性的宗教組織，不同於一般社會團體，佛光會的功能是文化的、教育的、慈善的、修持的，它的性質是人間的、救世的、服務的、結緣的……，只要加入我們的行列，就能和全世界的佛光人連線交流，獲得寶貴的資訊及嶄新的知識。現在我來告訴大家，參加佛光會至少有下列十二點利益︰
(一) 聯絡感情，結交朋友︰俗謂︰「在家靠父母，出外靠朋友。」廣交善友能使我們增品進德，事業有成。佛光會經常舉行各項會議、活動，會員們可以藉此認識不同類型的朋友，結交各個階層的人士，挖掘有才有德的精英，並且與世界各地的佛光人聯絡情誼，交換心得。
(二) 廣學多聞，增加見識︰佛光會經常在各地舉辦讀書會、禪坐會、念佛會、青年會、座談會、佛學研討會、檀講師講習會、幹部講習會、財務講習會、文宣講習會、活動策畫講習會……等等，會員們可視自己的職務、興趣，自由報名參加，藉此增進自己的知識，提升自己的能力。
(三) 拓展事業，廣結善緣︰人，結的善緣越多，在人生道路上的助力也就越大，尤其隨著科技的進步、交通的發達，單打獨鬥的時代已經過去，現在社會上的各行各業都必須靠「集體創作」才能成功。參加佛光會，我們可以和世界各地的會友同道互通訊息，彼此合作，開拓事業。
(四) 喜慶祝福，喪葬助緣︰以佛法來協助人的一生，是佛光會創設的宗旨，因此像佛化婚禮、壽誕喜宴、吉宅落成、佛像安座等喜慶祝福，或臥病住院、緊急災難、臨終助念、往生超薦等慰苦事宜，佛光會員們都有義務彼此關懷，互相幫助。
(五) 佛化傳承，全家受益︰所謂「積善之家必有餘慶」，在人間建設佛化家庭，向來是佛光會努力的方向，所以成立五年來，我們不但針對各個年齡層，舉辦各種活動，更積極地實施「家庭普照」，讓閤家大小都能得到法雨的滋潤。我們相信如果每一個家庭都能奉行佛法，將真理的明燈分盞繁衍，代代相傳，世界和平將是指日可待之事。
(六) 子女教育，多有幫助︰俗謂︰「傳子萬貫家財，不如一技在身。」這句話說明子女教育的重要性。子女們唯有從小領受正當的教育，將來才能立足社會，奉獻人群。有鑑於此，佛光會在各地成立技藝班、語言中心，舉辦青、少年夏令營，優秀青、少年選拔，讓會員的子女可以學習技能知識，培養正確觀念，拓展人際關係，學習社交禮儀，乃至留學在外，都能得到會友的關懷、幫助。
(七) 旅遊世界，到處善緣︰「來時歡迎，去時相送」是佛光會員的基本信條，因此散居各地的佛光會員如同我們的芳鄰，無論我們旅行至全球哪一個角落，只要一通電話，就能享受各地會友的殷勤接待，使我們處處都能感受到天涯若比鄰的溫馨。
(八) 參加活動，淨化身心︰身心是我們一生當中最親近相知的朋友，但人們往往不知愛惜，以致身心成為藏污納垢的根源，產生種種煩惱，造下種種惡業。佛光會各協分會經常舉辦讀書會、寺院參訪、素食品嚐、親子聯誼等活動，會員們可以藉此淨化身心，盪滌塵勞。
(九) 發心行善，必得好果︰經云︰「眾善應可愛，如父復如母；美體善安然，能離於喧諍。美善人天喜，美善增勤勇，美善眷屬多，美善三塗離。美善息諸惡，美善離煩惱，能棄語過非，應修諸眾善。」行善得善是宇宙人生的真理法則。佛光會秉持覺世牖民、慈悲濟世的宗旨發展會務，參加佛光會的會員有更多的機會服務大眾、奉獻社會，必定會得到許多助緣、善報。
(十) 佛法共修，寧靜致遠︰生活在忙碌、緊張、動盪、紛亂的今日社會裡，焦慮、浮躁成為現代人的通病。佛光會員可以成群組隊到隸屬佛光會的寺院道場，參加朝山、拜懺、念佛會、禪坐會……等法會活動，不但能受到親切的招待，更得以藉著大眾修持的力量，鍛鍊意志，澄清思慮。
(十一) 聽經聞法，福慧雙增︰經云︰受持佛法四句偈的功德，勝過三千大千世界七寶布施。又說︰「以聞、思、修，入三摩地。」參加佛光會能讓我們經常有機會聽經聞法、身體力行，增長我們的般若智慧，培植我們的福德因緣。
(十二) 今日一會，無限時空︰參加佛光會不但拓展我們的學習空間，擴大我們的無邊眼界，而且能讓我們發掘心中永恆的寶藏，體證生命無限的時空。
只要您來參加佛光會，就能享有聯絡感情，結交朋友；廣學多聞，增加見識；拓展事業，廣結善緣；喜慶祝福，喪葬助緣；佛化傳承，全家受益；子女教育，多有幫助；旅遊世界，到處善緣；參加活動，淨化身心；發心行善，必得好果；佛法共修，寧靜致遠；聽經聞法，福慧雙增；今日一會，無限時空等無窮無盡的利益。祝福大家在佛光的普照下，擁有幸福美滿的人生。
The Benefits of Joining the BLIA
When people first come in contact with the BLIA, they often ask, “How will I benefit if I join this organization?” It is good for all of us to be able to answer this question.
In the first place, simply joining the BLIA is a benefit, because the BLIA is an international organization with projects all over the world. We promote culture, education, and the arts, as well as compassion and Humanistic Buddhism. Simply by joining the BLIA, a new member begins to participate in these activities while learning the truths of Buddhism. In the following sections, I will discuss the benefits of joining the BLIA in more detail.
Emotion and friendship
There is a saying, “When we are young, we depend on our parents. When we are grown, we depend on our friends.” The more good friends we make, the better our lives will be. As Buddhists, it is important that we always seek to increase our friendships. The best kinds of friends for us to have are other Buddhists with whom we can work in ways that benefit all sentient beings. BLIA activities offer many ways for us to meet new people. As we work together and get to know one another, our best qualities are brought to the fore, even as our emotional needs for community and companionship are met.
Study and learning
The BLIA offers many chances for all of us to learn. We have classes, study groups, meditation sessions, chanting services, youth groups and many other activities. When we learn together, we learn faster and better. All that is required of us is the simple act of joining.
Professional and personal fulfillment
The BLIA offers many opportunities for personal and professional growth. The more we grow in and through our interests, the more fulfilled our lives become. Throughout most of the Twenty-first Century, societies and individuals became atomized, isolated and inef- fective in most everything except conflict and self-aggrandizement. The new world taking shape around us is both smaller and bigger than the old one. There are more opportunities than ever before precisely because our world has “shrunk” due to convenient travel and easy communication. By joining the BLIA, a person increases his oppor- tunities to make contact with others and share in the benefits of large- scale cooperation.
Joy in celebration, community in times of sadness
One of the principal aims of the BLIA is to provide supportive community for the length of people’s lives. We encourage Buddhist marriages, anniversary celebrations, festivals and parties with no special purpose at all. When people are ill and dying, the BLIA also is there to provide comfort, chanting services and other forms of solace. We encourage everyone to give of themselves, but if people have needs, we also encourage them to come forward and ask for help.
Family life
“A family with many joys is a family with many blessings.” Becoming a member of the BLIA has a beneficial effect on one’s family. The BLIA does many things to encourage families. When one member of a family joins the BLIA, other members benefit through him. When a family begins to learn the Dharma, nothing but good will result.
Children
There is an old saying: “Giving your children a magnificent inheri- tance is not as good as teaching them a skill.” This saying expresses very well the importance of education and training. If our children are well brought up and taught the skills they will need as adults, they will have little difficulty in taking on the responsibilities of adult life. Rather than being burdens on society when they are grown, they will be in a position to contribute and help others.
The BLIA has many classes and opportunities for young people to increase their skills. We offer art classes, language classes, summer camps, and many other kinds of organized activities designed to teach children how to live productive and moral lives. By coming together in groups, young people learn how to get along with others. They learn good manners and the ways of society, as well as how to make friends and cooperate.
Travel
We welcome each other when we meet, and acknowledge each other when we part.” This is one of the verses of the BLIA, and it is an important part of our basic beliefs. This verse asks something of us when others come to visit, but it also assures us that we, too, will be treated like friends wherever we go within the BLIA. You can find a friend almost anywhere in the world simply by contacting the nearest chapter of the BLIA.
Activity
Wholesome activity purifies the body and mind. Our bodies and minds are our closest companions in this life. If we use them well, we will receive much benefit. If we use them for ill purposes, we will receive our just retribution one day. The BLIA sponsors many kinds of activ- ities to give everyone a chance to participate in wholesome activities. Vegetarian cooking groups, sutra study groups, parent-child organi- zations and many other activities give everyone the chance to find something they can enjoy.
Vowing to do good
The Sadharma-smrty-upasthana Sutra says, “All goodness is to be loved, like the acts of a mother and father. Goodness is beautiful, and it naturally disentangles us from argumentation and dispute. The heavens love good people. Goodness augments courage and strength. It increases our families. It separates us from the three lower realms. Goodness ends all evil. It disentangles us from suffering and puts an end to false language. All of us should practice goodness.”
“Good begets good” is a fundamental law of the universe. The BLIA is dedicated to the benefit of all sentient beings, and thus, anyone who joins the BLIA becomes an active participant in that goodness. The contributions we make to the world all will come back to us in the form of blessings one day.
Practicing together
Modern society is characterized by anxiety and separation. The BLIA is an antidote to those afflictions. By learning and practicing together, members of the BLIA encourage and comfort each other. BLIA study groups and meditation groups are capable of helping each and every one of us transcend the numerous emotional difficulties of this age.
The Dharma
Just to hear the Dharma is a blessing. The Diamond Sutra says that upholding a single verse of the sutras is more valuable than any possible act of material generosity. It also says that listening to the Dharma, contemplating it, and practicing it lead to Samadhi. Member- ship in the BLIA gives us the chance to hear the Dharma often. It also gives us the chance to contemplate it, and practice it with like-minded people. These opportunities help us increase our wisdom, as they plant good seeds that will sprout into the blessings we one day will be sure to reap.
Unlimited possibility
The BLIA gives us a place to study, and it unites us with other people who want to study as much as we do. In addition to this, the BLIA also provides each of us with the opportunity to unlock infinite sources of wisdom within ourselves.