Buddha And the Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse Photo Wins NZ Photography Contest
On 26th May, the full moon was bigger and brighter than usual, attracting people from all over the world, including astronomy and photography enthusiasts, to witness the rare red total lunar eclipse. New Zealanders were fortunate enough to witness the whole process. YAD member Toney Su in collaboration with James captured the total lunar eclipse at Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island NZ and submitted the photo to Canon NZ's Instagram Photo Contest, winning the first place in online voting category on 1st June. FGS members from both the North and South Island of New Zealand shared in this honor.
When a straight line is formed between the earth, the moon and the sun, the sunlight is blocked by the earth and the blue light is filtered out. This leaves light with a reddish hue to pass through the earth's atmosphere that is refracted to the surface of the moon. A red glow is emitted and thus the moon appears red in the night sky during the different phases of the total lunar eclipse. The weather was good on that day and the lunar eclipse was observed in North America (including Alaska and Hawaii), some parts of Asia, New Zealand and parts of Australia.
The total lunar eclipse was so rare that Canon NZ held a Photo Contest to select 30 entries from hundreds of submissions, divided into three categories, over a three day online voting period to select the top three entries. Winning photographers will receive a professional print of their photograph work. In addition to posting the event on Instagram, Canon NZ also thanked the participating photographers for their enthusiasm at taking pictures in the cold and windy outdoors to record this rare astronomical event. Canon NZ has 68,000 followers on Instagram and Toney and James took a picture of the total lunar eclipse in front of the Buddha statue at the FGS South Island temple so that the public could see the Buddha’s solemn image and be moved by it, hoping too that they will come to visit the temple someday.
Toney said, "During the process of photo shooting, I witnessed the moon from full to none and then to full again, and thought that life's journey is just like the waxing and waning moon. Life is impermanent, just like the moon with its different shades and phases, but every step of life is still unique in itself.”
The total lunar eclipse embodies the mystery of the universe and the unity of heaven and humankind. However, no matter how extraordinary the scenery is, one must ultimately return one's mind to the human world and remind oneself of the impermanence of the world through the vagaries of nature. Therefore, be at peace with one’s self and follow the way of Humanistic Buddhist practitioners, enhancing the meaning and value of life by giving service to others.