A Successful Completion of the 8th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing Education Program Temple, Schools and Police Working Together to Build a Harmonious Society

On 27th May 2022, the 8th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing education program was completed successfully with the support of the NZ Police. During its 28 sessions, the program involved 20 schools with over 5000 students, teachers, and parents. The 3G4G Program has shared the value of Three Goodness and Four Giving (3G4G) to students from ages 5 to 18.

The Temple has organised multiple activities for students, including learning Temple greeting, Tai Chi, mindfulness meditation, making lotus flower origami, writing Chinese Calligraphy, striking the wishing bell, and interaction with NZ Police. Furthermore, the Temple added an incense offering session for senior students this year. Some students spontaneously visited the Main Shrine and learned how to worship Buddha from Venerable. The education program took full advantage of Temple’s space and filled it with smiling faces from students and teachers.

The highlight of the education program this year was Laba Rice, a newly developed menu that suits the local taste. Laba Rice which brings a meaningful meaning received many good comments. Many students grabbed more than one bowl during the refreshment time. One of the students said, “Laba Rice from the Temple is the most delicious food in the world”.

The 3G4G education Program has received numerous feedback from schools via email, Facebook, and the newsletter. Several principals commented that the 3G4G value helped instil good values in students, which aligned with the school’s values. Teacher Teresa from Farm Cove Intermediate School said that the students enjoyed the activities, particularly the calligraphy writing and mindfulness meditation. Most of the parents and teachers who visited the Temple for the first time were delighted by this valuable cultural experience.

Two Grade 9 students from Rutherford College, Ashley Smart and Izzy Thompson, shared their feedback on the school website. They enjoyed the visit and learned a lot, and vowed to adopt the 3G4G values in their life. They mentioned that the Laba Rice was so yummy, and they would like to go back to Temple someday and learn more.

Area commander of Counties Manukau East Inspector Scott Gemmell has been supportive and concerned about this program. Inspector Scott and Senior Sergeant Anson visited Temple on 13th May and joined the Tai Chi activity with students. Insp Gemmell encouraged students to be kind and be a nice person to the community. He appreciated Abbess and her team, who always take action to take care of the community.

School community police officer Senior Sergeant Matt Green, Constable Ian Willets, Constable Piho and other police officers fully supported all the 3G4G sessions. They interacted with the students using fun and engaging role-playing sessions to encourage them to make the right decisions in life before temptation.

The 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing was organised since 2014 and has become an influential education program for locals. Over the past eight years, 50 schools and 25,000 students, teachers and parents walked into the Temple because of 3G4G. BLIA members NZ serve the community with the spirit of giving from Venerable Master Hsing Yun to improve the value of life meanwhile constructing a harmonised homeland.