BLIA South Island Annual General Meeting and Moon Festival

On 7^th September, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island held 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at FGS Christchurch. Senior Advisor John Lai, President Bernie, Vice President James Low, Vice President Ding, Committee Directors and 40 BLIA members attended the meeting, in observation by Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Venerable Abbess Manshin and FGS Christchurch Minister in Charge, Venerable Jue Xi.

Through the video, President Bernie reported the activities that have been done by BLIA South Island in the past year, such as Laba Congee, Vegefest Day, Buddha’s Birthday and Dharma functions, 3G4G Humanistic Buddhism Cultural Festival, Coffee and Chocolatte and so on. President Bernie also introduced the upcoming event, which will be held on November Embracing Love and Peace Blessing and Concert. He called upon the BLIA members to actively participate and support monastery activities.

In the next, President of Subchapter 1, Ming Yuan-Kuo, President of Subchapter 2, Cao Qian, President of Subchapter 3, Elsa Hayes, reported separately the past year activities that have been held, included health lecturers, celebration gathering, Chinese medicine clinic, reading club, Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea, monthly meeting, volunteers fellowship, Winter Solstice dumpling sharing and gathering, etc. Vice President James represented finance reported BLIA member’s annual financial status.

This year, BLIA members put forward 5 motions for discussion, which are:

• Promoting activity of Laba Rice Congee to more people. The target for this year is to send 10,000 portion.
• The next year of Buddha’s Birthday and Dharma functions to be held on 18^th Activities included prayer blessing, tea meditation, sutra calligraphy, Chinese and Western medicines clinics, food stalls, performance, etc.
• 3G4G Humanistic Buddhism Cultural Festival will be held on 12^th – 14^th May and 19^th – 21^st May on next year. The event will lead by Vice President Ding.
• BLIA North Island will be hosting 2020 BLIA Oceania Fellowship on 26^th – 28^th BLIA South Island to promote the participation of Board of Directors and members from South Island.
• In order to standardise the collection of membership and annual fees from all around the world consistently, it is proposed to re-adjust the fees. This year BLIA South Island has 15 new members to join and will be the driving force behind the event.

During the speech, Abbess mentioned FGS is committed to promote localisation activities. The collective of creation shown by public at any time makes FGY art gallery becomes the role model and a place for propagation to the overseas art and Dharma. Adhering to the teaching of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, In future is a world of services. BLIA members encourage to hold variety of diversify activities, to serve the local people and create affinity in realising the origination of Humanistic Buddhism.    

BLIA and YAD members presented performance during the meeting, included singing The Great Buddha in Cantonese, sign languages There is a way, there is Dharma, I am the future of Buddhism and everywhere is BLIA member. The atmosphere on the scene was highly rejoice.

After the meeting, monastery prepared a hearty luncheon Moon Festival, to gather all BLIA members celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival. Around 70 people attended the event, included artist Keith Morant and wife, BLIA members, Christchurch people. Public were satisfied with the dinner on the day and spending warm and happy Moon Festival in advance.