Feedback from Rutherford College by Isaac Lee Sang-3G4G Cultural Sharing

https://www.rutherford.school.nz/year-9-buddhist-temple-visit-3g4g-cultural-sharing/

On 18 and 19 May the Year 9s visited the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple in Flatbush. We took part in the 3G 4G Festival of Cultural Sharing. 3G means ‘Do Good Deeds, Say Good Words and Think Good Thoughts’. 4G means ‘Giving others Confidence, Joy, Hope, and Convenience’.

We also learned about the story of the Buddha who was born as a prince. As he was growing up, he noticed that many people were suffering so he decided to suffer himself because he felt he was no different from other people despite his status. He wanted to show compassion to others and understand what other people were going through. One day, whilst he was sitting under a Bodhi Tree, he got an enlightenment which suddenly led him to become the Buddha.

We passed through multiple stations, such as the washing of the Buddhist Statue, and vow to practice the three goodness in our everyday life. We also visited the Art Gallery and practiced some Chinese calligraphy with the help of the volunteers. We were taught the ‘One Stroke Calligraphy’ that was invented by the Master Reverent Hsing Yun. This is a simple writing technique that joined every single character from a phrase in one stroke.

While doing a tour around the temple, we learned the importance of the 3G 4G Practice. Twice a day a bell and a gong would ring reminding us to stay mindful and keep practicing the 3 Goods and 4 Giving’s. Five students from our group were lucky enough to ring the ‘wish bell’. We were told that a wish is a goal and not something that will magically happen and that in order to make it manifest, we have would have to achieve it ourselves. Overall, the experience that we had was very interesting. It opened our minds to a different culture and religion in our community that also came with many surprises to most of the students.

We all learned something new whether it was the 3G 4G, One-Stroke Calligraphy, Meditation, or even making our wishes come true. I’d personally love to visit the temple again and on behalf of the school, thank them for showing us the different religions in our community.

by Isaac Lee Sang