BLIA South Island NZ participated the Closing Ceremony of 2022 BLIA Virtual 4th Meeting of the Seventh Board of Directors
Successful conclusion of the “2022 BLIA Virtual 4th Meeting of the Seventh Board of Directors" held on 9 October. The Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island participated both in person at the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Christchurch and virtual online at home, with 38 members attending including the FGS Christchurch Minister in-charge Venerable Juexi, Venerable Zhi Yuan, President Bernie Siew, Vice Presidents James Low and Zhang Dong, and Board directors.
At the closing ceremony, FGS Headquarter elders, deputy secretaries-general, and senior BLIA senior members were invited to share their experiences of the past 30 years of the association, which deeply moved everyone present. The BLIA South Island was awarded the "Promotion Excellence Award" and the "Buddhist Studies Level Award" in the BLIA global Buddhist Exam at the closing ceremony, which affirmed the enthusiasm of its members who worked hard to prepare for the test and strengthened the faith of BLIA members in their Buddhist studies.
The eight-day meeting was rich and exciting, allowing BLIA members from around the world to participate regardless of time and space through the use of cutting-edge technology. The meeting was a milestone for FGS and the BLIA to keep up with the times and pursue innovation, and was extremely relevant to this year's theme of "Wisdom and Innovation," leaving attendees impressed.
The BLIA South Island, located at the southern end of the world, was grateful to participate in this annual event through the cloud. As the global epidemic gradually subsides, the BLIA South Island members look forward to returning to headquarter next year to explore the land of the "Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha," and gathering with overseas BLIA members to experience the warmth and human touch between people again. More importantly, they hope to seize the opportunity and connect with Venerable Master Hsing Yun and his disciples, follow in the footsteps of the Master, and continue the Buddha's teachings in the human world.
Ming Yuan Kuo, the Senior advisor of the first chapter of the BLIA South Island, said in her speech at the meeting, 2022 BLIA Virtual 4th Meeting is concluded today, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Buddha Light's founding. The whole event demonstrated 'innovation and wisdom.' The hosting association showed the spirit of collective creation of the BLIA team, overcoming difficulties, and bringing together over 10,000 BLIA members from five continents worldwide to participate in the cosmic conference. We can see that under the leadership of the Master and the Venerables, various associations around the world are promoting humanistic Buddhism through cultural, educational, charitable, and group practice activities, taking Buddhism out of temples and into society and families, promoting the protection of the environment and the mind, and realizing the Master's vision, to give people a happy and peaceful life in this lifetime. BLIA members should continue to follow Venerable Master Hsing Yun bravely." Next year BLIA's member conference, member will meet face-to-face and heart-to-heart in Taiwan's main headquarter. It's great to have you there."