Hosting of the 2021 Chinese New Year Reunion Buffet Lunch by FGS South Island
On 30th January 2021, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island held its 2021 Chinese New Year Reunion Buffet Lunch. 150 people, consisted of members of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island, FGS devotees and Christchurch residents, attended the buffet lunch. FGS New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin, Professor of Aerospace Engineering Shiau Ting Nung and his wife, artist Paul Deans, BLIA South Island President Bernie, BLIA North Island President Stephen Yu were invited as Guests of Honour. In all, more than 20 people, made up of Young Adult Division (YAD) members from North and South Islands and BLIA South Island volunteers, participated in the preparation of the event.
The event started with Abbess Manshin leading the gathering in prayer by chanting the Medicine Buddha Mantra and reciting Master Hsing Yun's A Prayer for the Society. This was then followed by Abbess Manshin distributing to the attendees auspicious red packets, Master Hsing Yun's one-stroke calligraphy couplets Cultivate a Heart that Blooms in All Seasons and new year souvenir.
This time around, the Chinese New Year Reunion Lunch was held in a buffet style, with more than 20 traditional vegetarian Chinese New Year dishes, Oriental and Western desserts, and various cold drinks and fresh fruits, etc., for the attendees to enjoy. Under a gorgeous decoration and a strong Chinese New Year atmosphere, the attendees were treated to a sumptuous buffet lunch. The attendees displayed their joy by smiling from ear to ear and they thanked the host for the wholehearted arrangement of the event. Artist Paul Deans felt honoured to be able to celebrate this important event with the Chinese people and was delighted to have the opportunity to taste the delicious traditional Chinese New Year dishes. This was especially so because it was not easy to make high-quality dishes using vegetarian ingredients.
The 2021 Chinese New Year Reunion Buffet Lunch allowed the Chinese in Christchurch to gather for a reunion days before the actual Lunar New Year. It also allowed the local Kiwis to learn about how the Chinese celebrate their fine Chinese traditional festival. At the same time, by going vegetarian, the attendees had indeed positively responded to the call to respect life and save the Planet.