Buddhist Blessing Wedding Ceremony for couple at FGS South Island NZ
On 10th July, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island New Zealand held a Buddhist Wedding Ceremony for BLIA YAD members Jason Liu and Faye Jia. The ceremony was officiated by FGS NZ Venerable Abbess Manshin, and attended by FGS South Island NZ Temple Minister in Charge Venerable Jue Xi, FGS North Island NZ Temple Minister in Charge Venerable Rulian, family members, friends, colleagues, BLIA South Island NZ President Bernie, BLIA South Island NZ deputy President James Low and wife, committee members, BLIA and YAD members, making up about 200 people in attendance.
Venerable Abbess led the attendees to recite the Heart Sutra and one of Master Hsing Yun’s prayers. Using excerpts from Venerable Master Hsing Yun's guideline for married couples, she gave some tips to the newlywed couples. As a good husband, one should carry less money around, come home for dinner, or go out for dinner together, and be humorous in conversations. As a good wife, one should remember that family is where happiness lies, food can be made to be delicious, frugality is a commendable virtue, and praise without keeping secrets. Venerable Abbess also presented the couple with a gift on behalf of the temple.
The groom's father Hans Liu and mother Louisa Kuo gave speeches at the wedding, thanking the temple for giving their son the opportunity to have his Buddhist Wedding Ceremony at such a magnificent venue. They were grateful to have four generations of their family here at the temple – the home of wisdom and life, to have the Buddha blessing the ceremony, and to see so many BLIA folks together to celebrate with their son and daughter-in-law. The groom Mr. Jason Liu thanked Venerable Abbess, the Venerables, elders, friends and colleagues for attending the wedding ceremony and vowed to stand together with his wife to support the temple.
The groom is the third generation of the Three Good Family in FGS South Island NZ. His late grandfather is Professor Kuo Yen-chiao, a Chinese painting artist from Taiwan, who has held several poetry, calligraphy and painting exhibitions in both the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery in North and South Island NZ. His mother Louisa Kuo is the President of BLIA South Island NZ’s first chapter and a long time devotee of FGS South Island. When they were young, Jason Liu and his older brother Hiking Liu would come to FGS South Island temple to participate in several activities with their mother Louisa Kuo and both of them have served as leaders of the BLIA South Island NZ YAD. Brother Hiking Liu currently lives in Melbourne, Australia. He has not forgotten his roots, continuing to serve at the FGS Melbourne temple, taking up more responsibilities as a BLIA committee member.
During this difficult time when the world is still facing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jason sincerely thanked the temple for holding the Buddhist Wedding Ceremony for him and his wife. Venerable Abbess also wished the couple to work together hand-in-hand on the Bodhi path, to create a happy family and a good life under the blessing of the Dharma and to continue serving the community.