ARA Fo Guang Club attracts New Members at Orientation Festival
ARA, Institute of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand held one of their student orientation festival events on 16th March, with over 30 clubs at the institute open to recruiting new members from the crowd of hundreds of new students. The Fo Guang Club, established by the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island New Zealand Young Adult Division (YAD) was also there, with leader Ni Ling Chia leading four YAD members to the campus to help with the recruitment drive.
ARA Student Affairs Office Staff Chiyaki Bolam Smith saw the high spirits of the Fo Guang Club team and came to greet them. Chiyaki is the daughter of David and Junko Bolam-Smith, David is the Peace Bell New Zealand Chapter member and she is happy and enthusiastic to support the YAD group’s activities because of her parents' knowledge of BLIA and longstanding interaction with the FGS temple.
The aim of the Fo Guang Club is to improve students’ physical and mental health and enhance their quality of life on campus, through participation in activities based on the concept of Humanistic Buddhism. The team gave away freebies while highlighting upcoming activities such as the 3G4G Cultural Festival, Buddha’s Birthday Multicultural Festival, Australia New Zealand BLIA Youth Conference, meditation classes, Study group, youth college courses and volunteering activities.
Many students were delighted with the Humanistic Buddhism concept and joined the club. Some students were already interested in Buddhism, and the Fo Guang Club is a good opportunity for them to get in touch with Buddhism. Some students are of other religions, but they are still willing to join the club to learn more about different religions and cultures. Others say they have seen the FGS temple building but haven’t got the chance to step inside, so joining the club will help them to understand the temple more. Still, some students have no idea about Buddhism and want to participate in club activities to make their student life more meaningful.
On that day, 15 local and international students registered to join the club, which is a very good result. YAD leader Ni Ling Chia said: “All of these young members of the club will be the new force of the BLIA South Island NZ YAD”. The YAD committee will do their best to guide the new members, so that they have a proper understanding of Buddhism and are able to practice it in their lives, thereby experiencing the true beauty of Buddhism.