Deans from NZ Various Region Visit Fo Guang Shan South Island Temple

On 3 August, the Dean of Christchurch Cathedral Very Reverend Lawrence Kimberley, accompanied by his wife Elizabeth Kimberley, Dean of Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral Anne Mills, Dean of the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul David Rowe, The Parish Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter Minister The Very Reverend Phil Wilson and Dean of Waiapu Ian Render all visited the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island New Zealand temple. They were warmly welcomed by FGS New Zealand Abbess Venerable Manshin, FGS Temple Minister-in-Charge Venerable Juexi, BLIA South Island President Bernie, Deputy President Ding Lihson and other BLIA South Island members.

Abbess led the distinguished guests to the Main Shrine in giving light offering. Despite their inter race and religions, they presented the lights together and prayed for social harmony. The guests admired the solemn displays set up for the Ksitigarbha Sutra Dharma ceremony happening this period and Abbess gave them a brief overview of what the month of filial piety means in Buddhism cultivating the merits and moral significance of the Dharma ceremony.

Later on, Abbess led the visitors on a tour around the temple, visiting the central courtyard, the art gallery with the “Reflections” and “Transience” exhibitions on display, the time tunnel, library and so on. The guests were full of praise for the sculptures of the four Bodhisattva statues located on the outer wall, the design of the time tunnel, plus the distinctive works exhibited in the art gallery. The group enjoyed afternoon tea, during which they shared their experiences of propagating various faiths and culture in Christchurch. We look forward to more collaboration between different religious groups, so as to bring more joy and hope to the public of Christchurch.

FGS South Island and the Christchurch Cathedral has a deep relationship, since year 2000. During the FGS South Island’s Buddha’s Day Festival in the Cathedral Square, many Bishops have attended the event. In recent years, FGS South Island’s Buddha’s Day Festival were held in the temple where Cathedral Bishops, Deans and Reverends are also present to celebrate. On 1 July this year, Abbess and the Chancellor of FGS Institute of Humanistic Buddhism Venerable Miao Fan, visited the newly built Transitional Cathedral Church after the earthquake and were received by Assistant Dean of Christchurch Transitional Cathedral Nicky Lee. Both parties gave religious exchanges, affirming each other's contribution to society.