FGS Auckland Buddha’s Birthday Celebration for World Peace Wishing all Auspicious and Safe

On 10th April 2022, FGS Auckland hosted the annual Buddha’s Birthday Celebration, which was kicked off by a lively Lions dance and a dance performance by the BLIA YADs. The Dharma Function started at 10 am sharp with the chanting of the Heart Sutra and reading of A Prayer for the Buddha’s Birthday led by FGS NZ Abbess Manshin and Venerables. The ceremony was attended by nearly 350 BLIA members and devotees, including Mission Height Junior College Dr Rajesh Joshi and her husband. 

During the ceremony, BLIA members made sincere offerings to the Buddha. After the purification ceremony by Abbess, the visitors were gifted auspicious rope and apple, wishing all peace and well. Additionally, each valuable apple was hand-picked by the BLIA members to relieve farmer’s pandemic stress and wish everyone peace and prosperity. 

Abbess stated that the annual Buddha's Birthday commemorates the birth of the Buddha, which brought light and hope to the world. Moreover, to appreciate the Buddha’s teaching on how to practice in the human world with the six paramitas. Through the ritual of bathing Buddha, people can remove their worries with the Dharma water and attain peace of mind. 

Furthermore, Abbess also mentioned that the pandemic plunged us into impermanence, making us cherish what we have around us and develop wisdom to deal with difficulties. During the outbreak, FGS collaborated with NZ Police and distributed 15,000 RAT kits to nearly hundred schools in New Zealand, hoping to alleviate pandemic stress and get schools back to normal operations as soon as possible. Abbess encouraged the BLIA members to keep on motivating and supporting each other in order to strengthen the community. 

BLIA North Island President Yulin Ku felt privileged to celebrate the Buddha’s Birthday with the members. Through the light offering to Buddha, she hoped to brighten her heart too. She appreciated the guidance and support from the Temple in exploring and improving herself. From the wise words of Venerable Master, faith will be the strength to free us from fear and encourage all to coexist in peace. BLIA members can still serve and contribute to the community in this challenging time.  

Advisor of BLIA North Island Lintao Yu appreciated Abbess for leading the Temple Team in spreading the virtue and kindness to the community. As a BLIA member, he was proud that he would be able to contribute to making society a better place as well as develop personal values.  

After the blessing ceremony, there was a long queue outside the Main Shrine waiting to bathe the Buddha. Besides, activities such as Prince Siddhartha Exhibition, Venerable Master One Stroke Calligraphy Exhibition, Local Market are available for the visitors to enjoy the harmony and happiness of the ceremony.