Final Sprint for 2021 BLIA Global Buddhism Exam Learners from Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland Are Confident and Look Forward to Taking the Exam

As the final stage of the 2021 Global Buddhism Examination is approaching, Abbess Manshin of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple NZ , paid close attention to the students' review progress and met them online on September 9th to encourage them to sprint ahead for the examination. Nearly 40 participants attended the meeting.

More than 30,000 people from five continents applied for the examination, including 160 Buddhists from FGS Auckland and Christchurch. Although the city was back to lockdown again due to the epidemic and the examination was adjusted from paper to online, BLIA members had the courage to break through themselves and overcome various difficulties such as not being able to use computers and mobile phones to connect. Their positivity and optimism in positive and optimistic spirit of preparing for the examination have has also been written into the history of Humanistic Buddhism.

Abbess Manshin said, the purpose of Buddhism Examination is to make sure that people have a clear understanding of the faith of Humanistic Buddhism, so that they are full of confidence and "not moved by money, not moved by emotion, not moved by circumstances". In addition, through the examination preparation process, the outline and structure of The Dharma are constantly clarified. The Dharma is transformed into life, and the quality of life is improved. During the epidemic last year, the public in New Zealand were very diligent in participating in online reading workshops and were fully prepared. Abbess Manshin wished everyone received excellent results.

Minister in Charge of Fo Guang Shan Auckland, Venerable Rulian said that each sub-chapter worked very hard to encouraged members to take part in the exam, and saw the power of Dharma uniting everyone. Abbess Manshin’s caring has made everyone more confident. No difficulty can hinder one's thirst for Dharma. Encountering an epidemic has made everyone more aware of cherishing every cause and condition.

Chief Senior Advisor Han shared that she was educated in English, but it was the first time for her to take an exam in Chinese. This was an opportunity to break through. Thanks to Abbess Manshin for the 52 lessons last year, so that she can prepare herself in advance on Dharma. She would also like to thank each sub-chapter presidents and committees for their efforts to promote the exam and witness that everyone has worked very hard to prepare for this exam. She believes everyone will get good results in the exam.

Peggy, Senior Advisor of Subchapter 3, said that in April last year, the city was in lockdown in April last year, and the 52 lessons of the Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple provided by Abbess Manshin gave BLIA members a lot of nutrition and helped them establish a basic Buddhist framework. This year, the city was in lockdown again due to the epidemic. Reading and preparing for the exam has greatly helped the transformation and adjustment of the mood. She is very grateful for holding this exam.

"Life seems so busy that 24 hours is not enough. It's not enough to be busy every day 24 hours, but it is life is really fulfilling." Sunny Shi, a member of Subchapter 3, shared her life during the lockdown period. From reading the "Ksitigarbha Sutra" to preparing for Buddhism Examination, she had to squeeze out time to her grandson. Life is busy but full of joy. “I told my grandson the content of the Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple, and my grandson also said that he should study as seriously as his grandmother, to improve self."

Liu Jia, a member of Subchapter 4, expressed his gratitude for helping him settle down to study seriously after more than 20 years by taking Buddhism Examination during the lockdown period. Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s books evoked thought and inspiration, and also allowed himself, a "new Buddhist student" to understand where Buddhism should start. Through this examination, the basic concepts of Buddhism that were previously vague have been connected and a framework has been established.

A member of subchapter 1 said that the transition from a paper-based exam to an online mode helped students navigate Zoom and complete online exams for the first time and at the same time helping students to accept the present circumstances; all these are examples of excellent learning. Sub-chapter presidents are such eloquent speakers who encourage members to come together and undertake the exam. He also thanked President Yu and the Youth Tech teams for their support, making everyone more eager for the upcoming exam.