Home-coming of Devotees to FGS South Island on the 2nd Day of Chinese New Year
New Year symbolises freshness, rebirth and new opportunity. On the second day of the Chines New Year, 6th February 2019, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand Abbess Venerable Manshin hosted a ‘New Year Dharma Function’ at FGS South Island. About 60 devotees attended the Function in which the devotees were able to take part in Light offering, praying to Buddha and making New Year vows. Joining the congregation were a few kiwis of other ethnicities who came as observers to the Function. They were elated to be a part of this Chinese New Year celebration.
In her speech, Venerable Abbess stressed the important role of ‘Light’. We know our direction because of the presence of Light. Also because of Light, we are able to better understand the cause and condition of each happening, the world and the future. By cultivating our Buddha Nature in us, we will reduce our troubles and obstacles, and vice-versa, by removing our troubles and obstacles, we will increase our Buddha Nature. Therefore, increasing our Dharma Wisdom and Buddha Nature will make our lives better and happier with less obstacles.
Venerable Abbess urged the devotees to join in the FGS Team to serve the society and to make FGS South Island as the launching pad to propagate Humanistic Buddhism. Our moves will brighten us and help cultivate our Buddha Nature. Armed with the 4 New Aspirations, namely: New ideas, New beginning, New styles and New vows, we should be able to better serve the society and showcase the aspirations of Humanistic Buddhism.
In his New Year video presentation, FGS Chief Abbot Xin Bao pointed out that Pig signifies rounded wellness, which means that this year will be a well-rounded and fulfilling year. The word ‘auspicious’ represents a state devoid of hardship and disaster. If we can use the word ‘auspicious’ to wish everybody we meet, then it will slowly become a common practice among all, which will auger well for the society. Master Hsing Yun has always promoted the concept of a state of ‘Mutual Auspicious Co-existence’. All living things in this World should co-exist as if ‘I am You and You are Me’. With this mutual respect for each other, the World will definitely become a more auspicious and peaceful place.
Afterwards, Abbess Manshin distributed auspicious Red Packets to participants of the Dharma Function. After opening their Red Packets, the devotees found that they contained ‘Words of Dharma Wisdom’ and some of them shared theirs with the congregation. The ‘Words of Dharma Wisdom’ were well conceived and the devotees benefitted greatly from them. The ‘New Year Dharma Function’ finally came to a successful end. Armed with Master Hsing Yun’s Words of Dharma Wisdom, the devotees marched on with their journey of productivity and creativity.