The Hosting of BLIA Oceania’s 2022 Online Seminar for BLIA Oceania Members
The Online Seminar for BLIA Oceania Members hosted by the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Oceania Secretariat and organized by the Western Branch of BLIA Sydney was held on 13th March 2022. Nearly 300 counsellors and members from 7 Oceania associations met online. During the seminar, the Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Oceania who is also the Deputy Secretary General of BLIA Oceania, Venerable Manko, and Ms Lin, a senior Australian accountant, held a Forum on Contemporary Issues of FGS and BLIA. In Christchurch New Zealand, Counsellor of BLIA South Island, Venerable Jue Xi, and BLIA South Island President Bernie together with 24 BLIA members attended the seminar online.
At the seminar, a short film "Who Stole My Cheese" was screened. The simple content of the film was rich in many thought-provoking topics. Chief Abbess Manko first led the seminar to recite Master Hsing Yun's Prayer for World Peace, to pray for peace and harmony in the troubled World. In her opening speech, Abbess Manko said that the pandemic has changed the world and the pace and way of life of mankind. Although the pandemic has brought disasters, it has also brought out the positive qualities of mankind.
At the seminar, accountant Lin discussed the various social changes brought about by the pandemic, including sustainable management, climate change, vegetarianism, digital and network security, etc. At the same time, accountant Lin also proposed ways on how enterprises should deal with various problems, and how enterprises can cooperate with Buddhist entities to help the society. On her part, Chief Abbess Manko looked at the problems from the viewpoints of FGS and BLIA. She mentioned how BLIA members have responded to the pandemic utilising the knowledge of Buddhism they have learnt in normal times. She also cited the strategies and methods BLIA has adopted to deal with the pandemic.
In their summing up, Ms Lin hoped that people should not be afraid to face challenges, but should instead strive to move forward and be brave to innovate, so that life may continue to shine. Whereas, Abbess Manko encouraged BLIA members to work diligently, to mutually encourage one another, to fully utilise the power of collective creation, and to integrate into society for the purpose of co-existence and co- prosperity.
Later in the seminar, based on the viewpoints of "reflection" and "starting again", group discussions on last year’s activities of each BLIA branch were carried out. These discussions were grouped under 4 main categories: the rising star, the nurturing centre, the regeneration bank, and creating new branches out of old tree. New Zealand North and South Island BLIAs were led by FGS NZ Abbess Manshin to discuss on the sustainable operation of North and South Island BLIAs, including among others, the donation of 15,000 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits during the pandemic to FGS New Zealand by the BLIA World Headquarters for distribution to New Zealand public. BLIA World Headquarters had airlifted the RAT kits from Taiwan to New Zealand in the fastest time possible. After their arrival, BLIA North and South Island immediately distributed the RAT kits and other pandemic protective materials to schools and other groups. This show of care and compassion really touched the hearts of New Zealand communities. In another case, President of BLIA South Island Bernie donated 800 kilograms of potatoes to FGS Temple North Island, who then turned this gesture of compassion into various kinds of food to be given back to the community. BLIA North Island President Yu-lin Gu wound up the discussion by saying that BLIAs North and South Island manage BLIA’s affairs based on practical experiences. She encouraged New Zealand BLIA members to follow the footsteps of BLIA and FGS all the time; to cultivate their wisdom; and to nurture their blessings.
On the same day, the Counsellor of BLIA South Island, Venerable Jue Xi, led 24 BLIA members to attend the "Online Seminar for BLIA Oceania Members”. BLIA South Island wished to thank the organisers for their dedications in organising the event, and to thank Fo Guang Shan (FGS) NZ for the opportunity to participate. From this Seminar, BLIA South Island members had gained a lot of new knowledge and they would like to share their thoughts and feelings about the meeting as follows:
President of BLIA South Island Bernie
In a modern society, what human beings need is a gregarious style of living. This pattern coincides with the concept of “co-existence and co-prosperity” advocated by Master Hsing Yun. Similarly, BLIA has always advocated the spirit of “collective creation to achieve good results”. On this premise, there exists the opportunity for cooperation between Enterprises and FGS / BLIA. With common understandings, the interaction of trust, integrity, respect and tolerance will then bring about the spread of the concept of Humanistic Buddhism to more enterprises, institutions and social groups. Both sides of the divide can thereafter share corporate knowledge and Buddhist wisdom between them. This development pattern is not harmful but definitely beneficial. Only by expanding the human network can Humanistic Buddhism better serve and benefit the Society and its people.
Advisor to BLIA South Island Louisa Kou
When the pandemic continues to rampage, we are very glad to be able to participate in the Oceania BLIA Members Seminar, because, from this seminar, we have obtained a lot of information, and have learned the proper attitudes toward “Impermanence” and anxiety:
- Change yourself, adjust yourself, and start all over – In normal times, do not immerse yourself in comfort zone. You should plan ahead and prepare early. Always remember that no matter whether it is in your work, in your family affair, or with your health, small changes are the precursors of future big changes ahead.
- Accept changes with joy - Life is a long journey. We should persist and persevere in our work, and actively and joyfully face the challenges brought by “Impermanence”. This is also a good opportunity to prove our ability to overcome challenges.
- Co-existence and co-prosperity – Develop good karma. Be grateful to relationship established, practise respecting and tolerating others, care about the earth’s environmental protection, cooperate with each other and work as a team, engage in collective creativity, and serve the Society. Thanks to Master Hsing Yun for founding BLIA, because, within the big family of BLIA, as long as one follows the footsteps of FGS Venerables in facing the impermanent changes in life, with the power of faith, BLIA members will have no fear in facing the World, and will be able to keep pace with times and coexist with others peacefully.
Vice President of BLIA South Island James Low
James would like to share his views and observations of the 2022 BLIA Members Seminar which he participated as follows: Addressing the seminar, FGS Oceania Chief Abbess Venerable Manko and Ms Lin delivered wonderful speeches to BLIA members. Meanwhile, it was observed that moves have been taken by FGS HQ and BLIA HQ towards the implementation of the concept of sustainable development so that BLIA might continue to go further and further. For example, in keeping with the times, one may be able to carry out charity activities while participating in a walk. Through mobile phone calculation, one not only can pay attention to one’s physical health, but at the same time, can turn one’s steps into a charitable donation to needy groups. Such creative activity is worthy of encouragement and support. In this seminar, James also learned from the video that one should not only possess the enthusiasm and hard work of a mouse, but also the ability to turn a crisis into an opportunity. Because just like the concept of “impermanence” often mentioned in Buddhism, everything changes and does not remain the same. One must bravely step into the unknown future. One must also have courage and a keen sense of enthusiasm. Even if one fails in the process, one should turn it into a kind of learning. If one succeeds, one should share it with the public so that they can follow one’s successful path and avoid the wrong way. Finally, James would like to thank the organizers and speakers again for their hard work to allow all the BLIA members attending the seminar to happily apply Buddhism in their lives.
Treasurer/President of 1st Subchapter, BLIA South Island Tiffany Su
The environment and things in the world are always changing, but our perceptions of and reactions to the external phenomena originate from our minds. We should therefore practise precepts, meditation and gain wisdom to calm our minds so that we can deal with all changes wisely. At the same time, we must cherish our blessings and make connections with others. For example, we should cherish and take good care of our clothing, so that they can function for a longer time; we must practise simplistic lifestyles, and not have strong desires and should be contented with what we have; we must cooperate with one another for sustainable development. For example, cooperating with other enterprises and organizations to promote and protect green environment. Just as Master Hsing Yun said, a person cannot exist alone but have to coexist within a group of people. Therefore, we should always be grateful to the public and become part of them. We should always remember what the Chief Abbess of FGS Oceania, Venerable Manko, said: The journeys of our lives are long. You can walk fast if you walk by yourself, but you can only go far if you walk with a group of people.
President of 2nd Subchapter, BLIA South Island Cao Qian
Cao Qian wished to thank the Chief Abbess of BLIA Oceania for organizing such a wonderful seminar, and the BLIA Oceania officials for their careful preparation. Cao Qian said: such kind of good Dharma offering has benefited BLIA members a lot, and the seminar had taught us the way to cooperate with enterprises. It has made us feel confident with our future, and has filled us with hope for the future of Humanistic Buddhism.
BLIA South Island YAD Member Mandy Liu
Mandy Liu was full of thoughts after watching the short film "Who Stole My Cheese?": Life is like a maze. Everyone is looking for his own “cheese”, a stable job, a good income, a healthy body, and harmonious interpersonal relationships. Do not take it for granted that the "cheese" is always there, waiting for people to consume. If you do not change with time, you will be eliminated. If you move in a new direction, you will discover new “cheese”. When changes occur, it may be more joyful and rewarding to act straightforwardly rather than to consider too much and worry unnecessarily. Just like the outbreak of the pandemic, many activities of BLIA could not be held as scheduled. Under such an unexpected circumstance, BLIA had, in an orderly manner, converted many activities into online activities, so as to allow its members to safely study the Dharma and actively participate in the activities. In the beginning, BLIA had to face many challenges organising the online activities. These difficulties were inevitable. For us to progress, we need to take active actions to break our old fixed thinking and adapt to new situations. We must not be overly attached to the present, must not overly reminisce about the past, and must not be afraid to face the future.