Celebrating Buddha’s Enlightenment day with a Warm Bowl of Laba Porridge to the Local Communities

On 11 and 12 December, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island Temple had held the Laba Congee Sharing event, by Minister in Charge Venerable Jue Xi leading 30 Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) south island members and volunteers participation. In order to celebrate the Buddha's enlightenment day and creating good affinities with everyone in local communities, over 2500 bowls of Laba Congee have been distributed to Christchurch resident and communities during this special event.

The team members had started preparing, cooking, packaging and boxing the porridge from five o’clock in the morning. They had completed the task within a few hours by referencing to previous years’ of work flow experience. This year the work flow has been improved as from preparation to the actual distribution process, it went very smoothly without any delay. About 1550 bowls of porridge was distribute on the first day and following 900 bowls of porridge was distributed on the second day.

Many people came to the temple to collect their pre-register Laba Congee. BLIA members had also personally delivered the porridge to various area including retail stores, schools and communities group. When the public received the porridge, they felt very grateful to FGS temple for their kindness act. This gave them an opportunity to taste the deliciously warm porridge. Some of the retail shops and their staffs stated that they are looking forward to receive this delicious porridge from FGS and BLIA NZ every year. The locals who came to the temple were curious about Laba porridge as well. When the temple volunteers explained the meaning of having Laba porridge, they were delighted and willing to have one. They also wish to have a joyous feeling in Buddha's enlightenment day. Tim Giffney, a visitor who taste the porridge and sent a text message to thank the temple for their kindness of sharing it to public.

This year, there are three education school, St James School, Wharenui School and Te Komanawa Rowley School had received their Laba Congee from the temple. When BLIA South Island Committee Director, Kok Wei Low and other members personally sent Laba porridge to the school, they explained to the staff, teachers and students about the origin of Laba porridge where it is a Buddhists’ sincere act of respect toward the Buddha which similarly like students paying respect to their teacher. The teachers and students were moved by the explanation and thanks temple for the act of kindness. The BLIA member also presented Venerable Master Hsing Yun's calligraphy couplets to each school and they were very happy. This Laba Congee sharing event gave students an opportunity to learn from different cultures. Kok Wei also show students FGS Order’s hand gesture by greetings with lotus fingers posture while saying auspicious blessing to other. He sincerely invited the teachers and students to attend 3G4G Festival of Culture Sharing event held by the temple annually, which will provides an opportunity for the students to explore different religious and culture.

FGS South Island temple uses this event to connect to the public and also bless everyone with peace, auspicious and good wisdom. Although the participating volunteers are waking up early in the morning, their mind is fulfil with Dharma joyous. As they understand the meaning of giving and serving others in Humanistic Buddhism is a great effort toward themselves.