The Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order and its North Carolina branch temple, IBPS New York, practice Humanistic Buddhism. The Buddha was born in this human world, cultivated himself in this human world, was enlightened in this human world, and taught human beings the way to experience Nirvana (freedom from suffering) in this world and not apart from this human world. The Buddha taught that it is through our humanity that we will attain Buddhahood - full Enlightenment.

Humanistic Buddhism teaches that one can live fully in this human world and practice Buddhism at the same time. The two endeavors are not separate. They support each other perfectly by enabling one to cultivate the wisdom that clearly understands the true nature of reality. Humanistic Buddhism encourages one to integrate the Buddha's teachings of tolerance, loving-kindness, compassion, joyfulness, and equanimity into our lives for the benefit of all beings.