BLIA YAD Auckland Participated in the Opening of the 2021 Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference (ANZBYC)
On 3rd July 2021, more than 200 YAD from Australia and New Zealand gathered online to participate in the 2021 Australia New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference hosted by the Melbourne YAD. The Head Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Most Venerable Hsinbau; Director of Executive Council, Venerable Hui Chuan; Chief Abbess of FGS Oceania, Venerable Manko; Abbess of FGS NZ, Venerable Manshin and guiding Venerables were invited to participate in the conference. The Minister in Charge of FGS Auckland, Venerable Rulian led over 20 youths and BLIA North Island Sub-Chapter Presidents including Meggan Lam, Pauline Young, Yulin Ku, Annie Chang and Veronica Lee to attend the conference online.
Most Venerable Hsinbau delivered a speech thanking the BLIA YAD of Oceania for participating in the meeting and letting themselves grow more through the course. In the difficult period of the global pandemic, we need to use the wisdom of Buddhism to face the problems, so that the Bodhi seeds can bloom in our lives. He hopes that young people everywhere will make good use of their characteristics and resources to make full use of their strength, and work together to spread the Dharma to the world and to carry forward the Master's philosophy of Buddhism to the world. Venerable Hui Chuan said in a speech that BLIA will continue the Dharma wisdom through faith and legacy, and that the YAD are the hope of Buddhism. ANZBYC reminds the young people to stay true to the initial aspirations where with the power of faith, young people from around the world are able to unite. Most Venerable Hsinbau wished the conference a success, so that BLIA YAD Oceania can pass on their beliefs together and sow the seeds of Bodhi.
After Venerable Rulian led Auckland YAD to make light offerings in the Main Shrine, they began to trim the bamboo forest. In order to allow more space for the bamboo to grow and maintaining the beauty of the Temple landscape, the YAD were divided into two groups to do gardening. Under the leadership of YAD committee members, Sean and Edwin, they diligently trimmed, pulled weeds, and swept the fallen leaves. Diligent service trims the desolation of life, while practice and studying with equal emphasis on practice and solution kicked started a wonderful day for the youth.
The youths happily participated in the annual event that was hosted by the YAD in Australia and New Zealand. Venerable Rulian led the BLIA members and YAD with a full heart, and let the wisdom of Buddhism to fill their soul and life.