FGS South Island NZ attends University of Otago’s 150th year anniversary
On 1 August, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island NZ was invited to attend the University of Otago’s 150th anniversary as well as the press conference on creating a new campus at Christchurch. Chancellor Dr Royden Somerville QC, Dean of the University of Otago, Christchurch Prof. David R. Murdoch, and over 180 alumni were present. Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island NZ Deputy President Ding Lihson and committee member Kok Wei Low attended the meeting on behalf of FGS.
Dr Royden Somerville said the university's achievements in teaching and learning are internationally recognized because it combines traditional and modern teaching. The world is changing and institutions will rise to the challenge. Institutions also act as the "conscience of society", making objective comments on current events. He thanked the university's researchers for pushing the boundaries of their field and the graduates for shining everywhere. All these efforts have made the University of Otago what it is today. But celebrating the 150th anniversary is not just about looking back on the past, it is also about making progress. After reviewing the outstanding achievements over the years, he will transform them into knowledge and experience for future generations.
The design firm shared the design concept of the University of Otago's new campus building in Christchurch which will be located in the centre of the city. It is designed with "balance" in mind, incorporating many elements of nature. The new building is expected to be completed by 2023 for the use of the medical department.
FGS South Island NZ has had close interactions with the University of Otago over the years. In 2014, religious teachers from the university attended the Life and Death lecture and academic exchange conference held by Venerable Hui Kai in New Zealand. In the same year during the Buddha’s Day Multicultural Festival, the university accepted over 100 books from Master Hsing Yun’s literature collection. In addition, BLIA South Island has also provided scholarships to Otago University students from 2015 to 2017. In 2017, the Department of Philosophy invited Venerable Abbess Manshin to give a lecture to religious students in the university and the temple gave a Chinese-English Encyclopedia of Buddhist Art to the university for their Buddhism research. This year, the temple invited the University of Otago basketball team to represent New Zealand in the BLIA Cup University Basketball Tournament held in Taiwan and the participants made visits to the temple before and after the tournament.
Ding presented a copy of the 2019 BLIA NZ report on behalf of the temple to Dr Royden Somerville and invited his university to attend the Embracing Love and Peace event on 2 November, and also take it as an opportunity to get to know the FGS temple better up close. Prof. David R. Murdoch said the university is keen to attend and he expects both sides to have more interaction and exchanges in the future. In the coming year, FGS South Island NZ plans to provide 3 months for the university’s art students to exhibit their works at the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Christchurch.
The University of Otago is a famous university in the South Island of New Zealand. The interaction and cooperation between the university and FGS South Island over the years have realized the integration of Humanistic Buddhism and local education. It has led the ideas of Buddhism percolate into the higher education world, taking root and growing in the hearts of young students.