First Monthly Meeting of BLIA South Island & Appreciation Tea Party

On 5^th May 2018, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island held its 1^st monthly meeting as well as Buddha’s Day volunteers’ appreciation party. The meeting was chaired by BLIA South Island President Bernie and attended by 40 BLIA members including BLIA South Island Vice Presidents James Low and Lih-son Ding, West-one Sub-Chapter President Louisa Kou, North-one Subchapter President Mei-Hwa Chen and BLIA South Island Young Adults Division (YAD) President Zhang Dong. Venerable Zhi Wu and Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi were invited as guests of honour.

President Bernie first thanked all BLIA South Island members and volunteers for making this year’s Buddha’s Day celebration a success. He attributed the success to the encouragement and support given by Venerable Jue Xi, and to the cooperation exhibited by BLIA members in executing their assigned tasks. The successful celebration had indeed showcased the rich multi-facet features of Humanistic Buddhism to the local populace. President Siew also thanked Venerable Abbess Manshin for her unyielding guidance and for giving him the opportunity to be involved with such important Dharma activitivity.

In the meeting, BLIA members, together with YAD members, discussed the programmes for the next few months: 1) to encourage members and devotees to attend the Dharma Talk on 19th May 2018; 2) to encourage members to participate in the Oceanic Water Land Dharma Function, the June 2018 FGS South Island’S Emperor Liang Dharma Repantance and the July 2018 FGS North Island’s Amitabha; 3) to encourage members to take part in the 22nd July 2018 FGS North and South Island Book Sharing Session on Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Collection of Books; 4) to encourage members to participate from 27th to 29th July 2018 the ‘2018 BLIA Oceaniac Reunion and Nan Tian Bridge opening Ceremony’; 5) to encourage members to attend 2018 BLIA Headquarter Annual General Meeting of at FGS Headquarters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 6) to encourage BLIA and YAD members to form FGS South Island Sports Clubs for the future development of youth in FGS South Island. Afterwards, FGS South Island Community Service Group, West-one Sub-chapter, North-one Sub-chapter, English Study Group and YAD Group all gave their respective report on their recent activities. The President also took the opportunity to introduce to the members, Olivia, who has recently joined BLIA South Island as a member.

FGS South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi thanked Olivia for doing a good job in contacting the motels for the continual distribution of Master Hsing Yun’s book “366 Days with Wisdom” to all parts of New Zealand. In the last quarter of May 2018, FGS South Island shall organise the 1^st 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing activity. Venerable requested BLIA members to come and help guide the students so that they can have a happy time while visiting the Temple. By rewarding them with two short stories, Venerable JueXi encouraged members to help each other to form a united, harmonious and strong team. After the meeting, members and volunteers were treated to an evening tea. This was to thank them for doing a wonderful job for the Buddha’s Day celebration. It was also the hope of BLIA that members continue to come forth to be involved with BLIA activities to create a brighter future for Humanistic Buddhism in New Zealand.