BLIA South Island NZ monthly meeting
In order to let the member know about Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island New Zealand’s upcoming events, a monthly meeting was held on 11th May presided by BLIA NZ President Bernie and attended by about 30 committees, BLIA members. Fo Guang Shan (FGS) NZ Venerable Abbess Manshin and Temple Minister in Charge Venerable Jue Xi.
President Bernie first thanked Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerable Jue Xi, and all the BLIA members and volunteers for their help to make the Buddha’s Birthday celebration a big success. First chapter leader Louisa Kuo, Second chapter leader Cao Qian and Third chapter leader Sally Lim also reported on what respective chapters have done and are planning to do over the coming months.
1) Encourage BLIA members and volunteers to assist and support the “3G4G Multicultural Festival” to be held 14-16 May and 21-23 May at FGS South Island NZ. 2) Encourage BLIA folks to participate in the “Emperor Liang Repentance Dharma Service” from 1-8 June at FGS North Island. 3) Encourage BLIA members to attend the “BLIA NZ reunion meeting” from 8-9 June at FGS North Island. 4) Encourage BLIA members to promote the “Chocolatte” Festival on 16 June. 5) Encourage BLIA YAD to attend the “ANZBYC meeting” from 5-8 July. 6) BLIA member Craig told everyone that University of Otago will represent New Zealand in the “2019 Fo Guang International University Basketball Friendly Tournament” in mid-July held at Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 7) Encourage BLIA folks to participate in the “Ksitigarbha Dhrama Function” in August at FGS South Island. 8) President Bernie encourages BLIA members to take part in the “Sangha Day Festival” in mid-August at FGS North Island. 9) Encourage BLIA members to attend the FGS South Island Annual General Meeting on 7th September, as well as the Mid-Autumn dinner function. 10) President Bernie explained that total of 15 people included Venerables and BLIA members from New Zealand who have registered to attend the “2019 BLIA headquarter committee meeting”. 11) Encourage BLIA members to participate and prepare for the “Love and Peace Interfaith Concert” on 2nd November to be held at Burnside Aurora Centre, plus a lecture by Dr Kwong Chen on the same day. 12) Encourage BLIA folks to promote the “FGS South Island NZ Vege Fair”.
Venerable Abbess described Master Hsing Yun’s strong commitment to promoting Humanistic Buddhism, because Humanistic Buddhism is the essence of the Buddha, the most fundamental of life education. To make Christchurch a more colourful place, Venerable Abbess hopes that the “Love and Peace Interfaith Concert” will make the public cherish the peace that exists between different cultures and religious groups. At the same time, she wants people to realise how Buddhism can provide more quality activities to society.
Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerable Jue Xi, President Bernie, BLIA committee members and the public witnessed the cutting of the ribbon for the new relocated BLIA office. Venerable Abbess would like to see more people using the new office space, wherein everyone plays their part so that together, we can promote the concept of Humanistic Buddhism for public.