Hosting of the 2021 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing in FGS South Island
Since the second week of May 2021, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) North Island has been hosting with vigour the 7th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing. The same Festival was scheduled to be held in FGS South Island South from 12th to 20th May with the participation of 400 students from 4 schools in Christchurch. On 12th May 2021, the first day of the Festival, 120 students from Hornby High School Christchurch, accompanied by their teachers, came to FGS South Island to participate in the activity and they were warmly welcomed by Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island members.
The activity was carried out at 5 fixed locations in the Temple, namely, the Art Gallery, the Time Corridor, the Buddha Hall, the Experiential Learning Area and the Courtyard. BLIA South Island Director, Kok Wei Low, introduced to the students Yao Hong Ying’s Magnificence of Embroidery Exhibition at the Art Gallery. Then, using Artist Yao's dedication to artistic creation as a good example, Kok Wei introduced to the students the concept of Doing Good Deed. At the Art Gallery, the students were full of praises for the exquisite embroidery works, and, when passing through the Time Corridor, they were amazed by the ingenuity of the Light and Shadow design adopted.
In the Experiential Learning Area, Head of BLIA Young Adult Division (YAD) South Island Ni Ling Chia, led the students in the making of origami lotus flowers and in the pasting of 3G4G stickers on the back of their hands. The students were also treated to a video presentation on The Life of Buddha. At the Courtyard, the students were delighted to discover the Bell of Happiness, and they enthusiastically made vows in front of the statue of Buddha before striking the Bell of Happiness. The students also found the act of Bathing of Buddha novel and interesting, and carried out the act earnestly to express their respect for Buddha. After learning Sitting Meditation, the students were able to settle down and wait patiently for their next round of activity.
Kok Wei explained to the students the meaning of 3 Good Deeds and 4 Givings with simple and easy-to-understand examples to make them understand that they too can-do good things, speak good words and think good thoughts in their daily lives. Among the many examples quoted by Kok Wei were: eagerness to help parents with housework, willingness to praise classmates, and possessing the thought of helping others. In order to better interpret the meaning of 3 Good Deeds and 4 Givings, two New Zealand Police Officers were invited to the event to interact with the students. Through playing games, the Officers were able to let the students identify good people from bad people, and in the process, establish the right values in life. The students interacted well with the Police Officers and responded enthusiastically to the questions from the Police Officers. This session with the Police Officers really helped the students in the integration of the 3G4G concept into their lives.
During the activity, the English version of the song 3G4G produced earlier this year was played for the first time in FGS South Island. The song interpreted the meaning of 3 Good Deeds and 4 Givings in a relaxed and dynamic rhythm. It resonated well with the local cultural ambience and had the effect of subconsciously implanting the 3G4G concept into the hearts of the students. Before the end of the activity, FGS South Island presented the students with souvenirs. Afterwards, FGS South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi presented the Police Officers with Master Hsing Yun's book 366 Days with Wisdom and the 2020 BLIA NZ Activities Report and thanked them for coming to support the activity and for giving the students a valuable lesson in moral education.
For most times of the activity, it had been raining cats and dogs. Nevertheless, this had not diminished the enthusiasm of the students. Every one of them was beaming with joy. In her speech, teacher Dana Mclene praised the 3G4G programme as being very special and meaningful. She pointed out that, in particular, the lively teaching method had allowed the students to learn the right principles of life. She believed that this would have a good long-term impact on their lives.