2020 Online Joint AGM of BLIA North and South Islands

Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) New Zealand North and South Islands held their joint Annual General Meeting (AGM) online on 4^th October 2020. BLIA North Island’s AGM was attended by more than 100 people consisting of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand Abbess Venerable Manshin, FGS North Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Rulian, BLIA Oceania Fellowship Committee Director Dolly Tsai, BLIA North Island President Lintao Yu, Advisor Han、Vice President Sally Wong, other Venerables, BLIA North Island Directors and members, and Young Adult Division (YAD) North Island members. BLIA South Island’s AGM was attended by more than 60 people consisting of FGS South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi, BLIA South Island President Bernie, Vice President James Low, Advisor John Lai, 1^st subchapter President Louisa Kuo, 2^nd subchapter President Cao Qian, 3^rd subchapter President Sally Lim, and directors and members of BLIA South Island.

To start the meeting, a preview on Master Hsing Yun’s documental movie Buddhism rely on Me was screened. Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s spirit of sacrificing for the Dharma and the Buddhist Faith shown in the movie touched the hearts of all BLIA members. After watching the movie, their passion and vow to propagate Humanistic Buddhism and to sacrifice for the Religion, were once again ignited.

Later in the meeting, North Island BLIA President Lintao Yu and South Island BLIA President Bernie, presented the annual report of their respective branch. Via the video presentations, members from both Islands were able to revisit the activities they had participated in the past year. In her address to the meeting, BLIA Oceania Fellowship Committee Director Dolly Tsai remarked that ‘she is very happy and moved to see BLIA members from both Islands attending their AGM together via high-tech online conferencing. This goes to show that members have inherited not only Master Hsing Yun’s Dharma teachings but also his wisdom in doing things. BLIA New Zealand’s efforts in the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism have won much recognition. This is only possible because we have followed Master’s pulse closely.’

The Joint Meeting discussed and passed the following motions raised jointly by North and South Islands BLIA:

1. To form a Committee for the collection and compilation of historical facts and information on the development of Humanistic Buddhism in New Zealand’. This is to facilitate future compilation of the History of propagation of Humanistic Buddhism in Oceania by Fo Guang Shan (FGS) HQ. It will also serve to provide proper historical materials on the development of Buddhism in Oceania.
3. Both North and South Islands BLIA will continue to promote Project Vege ‘A’ so as to influence more people to go vegetarian. This activity will become part of the positive forces contributing towards maintaining an environmentally friendly Earth.

In her speech, Venerable Abbess Manshin thanked members of BLIA in both branches for their relentless support for their respective Minister-in-charge. She said that ‘BLIA members are lucky to come under the guidance of Master Hsing Yun because they are able to learn the Dharma while serving the public at the same time. In this way, they are cultivating good Karma while gaining Dharma wisdom, thus paving the way to become more wholesome persons.’

The online 2020 Joint AGM of BLIA North and South Islands finally ended in a joyous mood. The members were grateful to the modern technology for enabling them to meet virtually ‘over the air’ to foster closer ties. This will lay a strong foundation for the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism.