FGS Auckland New Year’s Pilgrimage and Heart-warming gift from Venerable Master Hsing Yun

With the first rising sun in New Zealand this year, more than 200 people gathered in Fo Guang Shan Auckland to participate in the annual Pilgrimage and Sutra Transcription. Along with the chant of Sakyamuni Buddha from the Venerables, the public assembled at 6am to start the pilgrimage from the Main Gate to the Main Shrine to pray for wisdom, good health and peace for all people.

Abbess Manshin led the public with the Prayer of Pilgrimage from Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and announced that under the instructions of the Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the temple has prepared hot buns as token of appreciations for everyone for their hard work and effort in the past year. The Temple’s staff started preparing the fresh hot buns and Laba congee in the early morning. The public were grateful for the Venerable Master’s kindness, caring and love. Some of the buns have been sent to the nearby Ormiston Police Station to express gratitude to the police’s for their contribution in keeping New Zealand safe. The buns have been accepted by Officer Nu-Ding Jiang with happiness.

The Temple also gave away Chinese New Year Calligraphy Couplets from the Venerable Master Cultivate a Heart that Blooms in All Seasons to the public who participated in the Pilgrimage and Sutra Transcription. Venerable Master wishes everyone in the year of the Ox to diligently cultivate the heart and always plant the flower of wisdom. Abbess Manshin also encouraged the public to prostrate to the Buddha, to learn the wisdom and compassion, and to cultivate the heart with blessings. As long as one is willing to make a vow and work hard, one will be able to achieve goals.