BLIA NZ YAD Develop a Pure Land by Serving the Community
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland organised Qing Ming Dharma Function at 8am sharp on the 4th April 2021. After the second incense offering, a group of young people went to dining hall to help with lunch preparation. They are members of Auckland Young Adult Divisions (YAD), also known as Dining Service Army. Larry, the person in charge of dining service for this dharma function led the team to wash hands, put on aprons and masks. All procedure were done systematically and swiftly.
After noting the number of participants in the Dharma function, tasks were clearly allocated to each group. There were groups in charge of preparing utensils, arranging tables and serving food. Their efficient cooperation was a result of weekly practice throughout the year. YADs guided around 300 devotees and volunteers to sit in the dining hall after the Dharma Function concluded. Delicious and warm vegetarian dishes, along with fresh fruits from Christchurch Temple were prepared for everyone.
The Dining Service Army started serving in an orderly manner upon Venerable’s instructions. Students from Children Dharma class chanted a prayer with YADs before they started enjoying their tasty lunch. Devotees enjoyed their lunch in silence. After lunch, YADs took off aprons, put on boots, and grabbed their weapons – brooms, mops, brush, and their bullets – bleach, cleaners, soda powder. They split into groups and cleaned the dining hall and kitchen, continuing with their diligent service to temple.
An international student from Thailand, Veda, was also a part of the Dining Service Army. She expressed she gains joy from servicing people, as it brings out the worth of life as well as enhancing her strength. Roger, from Taiwan shared that spending time in Temple during weekends, and being surrounded by humble and diligent community enabled him to learn new perspectives and skills. Conquering challenges when facing diverse groups of people is an important step in self-improvement. ‘I feel faith and strength from my heart through serving people’ said by 11 year-old Howard.
Venerable Master Hsing Yun once said: ‘Buddhism places great importance on repaying kindness and virtue, not only for the kindness of parents who gave birth to us, but also for the kindness of the Three Jewels and teachers who nurtured our wisdom, and for the kindness of all sentient beings.’ Abbess Manshin encourages everyone by saying: The Pure Land on this Earth was made possible by the empowerment of the Buddha, Venerable Master proposed the idea of Pure Land of Humanity. YADs devote their lives to learn and serve the community which allow positive energy to enrich and nurture their lives.