FGS New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin attended The Queen's Memorial Service in Christchurch Transitional Cathedral

On 8 September, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. People around the world have been holding memorial services for her, and New Zealand, as part of the British Commonwealth, is no exception. On 25 September, the Cathedral in Christchurch held a "Civic Service of Thanksgiving for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."

Venerable Manshin, the Abbess of the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) in New Zeeland, was invited to attend the event along with Senior Sergeant Anson Lin, Zhang Dong the deputy president of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island, other attendees included Poto Williams, the Minister for the Environment and Disability Issues, Andrew Turner, the deputy mayor of Christchurch, Anne Galloway, a Christchurch city councilor, David Bolam-Smith, a representative of the New Zealand World Peace Bell Organisation, and 700 other representatives from political, religious, social, and educational organisation.

The Very Reverend Lawrence Kimberley, the Dean of Christchurch Cathedral, presided over the memorial service and led the solemn and sacred ceremony. The choir of the cathedral sang hymns that sounded like heavenly music, expressing their sincerest blessings and wishing Queen Elizabeth II eternal peace. In his speech, Archbishop Kimberley thanked Queen Elizabeth II for her wise leadership, which had led the Commonwealth countries to peace and prosperity, and for her selfless dedication throughout her life, which had inspired hope in people.

Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner, Grant Boore, the representative of the Royal New Zealand Navy, Christine Hainstock, the chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society Canterbury Branch, The Rt Rev'd Dr Peter Carrell, the Bishop of Christchurch Diocese, and The Rev'd Andrew Doubleday, the chair of the Methodist Church of NZ, also delivered eulogies at the service. Then, a minute of silence was observed in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, and the scene was mournful.

After the event, Abbess and the BLIA members greeted Very Reverend Kimberley, Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner, Minister Poto Williams, and Councillor Anne Galloway, who also inquired about the temple's recent developments and expressed their hopes to participate in temple activities in the future.

Queen Elizabeth II and members of the royal family have always cared deeply about Christchurch and had a strong bond with its citizens. During her 70-year reign, she visited Christchurch ten times, beginning seven months after her coronation in 1954 and ending in 2002. Queen Elizabeth II has always kept Christchurch in her thoughts, especially after the earthquake and mosque shooting incidents, showing her concern immediately and sending members of the royal family to visit Christchurch after the earthquake. The people of Christchurch, like people around the world, will always remember Queen Elizabeth II as a symbol of her era.