Hosting of the Lecture A Dialogue between Aerospace Science and Humanistic Buddhism at FGS South Island Temple

On 5 December 2020, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island Temple hosted a lecture A Dialogue between Aerospace Science and Humanistic Buddhism by Professor Shiau T. N,  Professor Shiau was the Honorary Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan. Nearly 70 people attended the Lecture, including FGS New Zealand Abbess Venerable Manshin, FGS South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi, Taiwan Overseas Chinese Affairs Commissioner Dr Alex Fu, New Zealand China Exchange Incorporated President Steven Ma and wife, Taiwan Hua Shing Association President Mr Dai, New Zealand Zhong hua Chinese Society President Wendy Zhang and husband, members of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island and Temple devotees.

Professor Shiau holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois, USA. His fields of specialisation include dynamics of engine structure, optimisation of structural design, structural mechanics, vibration control, and bearing analysis. He was a professor in the Department of Aerospace, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Dean and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chung Cheng University, Taiwan; Science and Technology Consultant to Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs; Consultant to Taiwan Sun Yat-Sen Institute of Science; and Advisory Committee Member to Taiwan National Science Council, Engineering Office.

In his Lecture, Professor Shiau first introduced to the audience the scopes and descriptions of aviation and aerospace science, and the applications of the theories and practical experiences found in the fields of aviation and aerospace to our daily lives. Professor Shiau then said that from the Laws of Science, we will be able to witness the Impermanent Nature of Life, and from the changes that occur in Time and Space, we are also able to see the unfolding of the Law of Cause and Effect. Using penetrating examples, Professor Shiau analysed and established the connections between Time and Space and the Law of Cause and Effect. Professor Shiau is a person with a deep understanding of the Laws of Science. After coming into contact with Buddhism, he felt deeply that he resonated well with the religion, and was intrigued by its profoundness. When reading the Diamond Sutra, Professor Shiau was deeply touched by the verse: "all Phenomena are like dreams and bubbles; like dews and lightning. We should thus treat them this way"; When reading the section of the Heart Sutra: "observe and realise that the five aggregates are empty (impermanent), and we can thus be saved from all sufferings by such realisation”, Professor Shiau realised that at the end of life, children, friends and wealth do not belong to oneself. This is because all objects are temporary (impermanent) and will not exist forever.

Professor Shiau summarised his Lecture by tapping onto his life experiences and religious belief, covering the period from his time serving in the aviation and aerospace sector to the time he discovered the marvel of the resonance between Time and Space and Emptiness, after his exposure to Buddhism, from where he understood the meaning of Be Creative even when all is Empty. Later, Professor Shiau became a regular visitor to FGS North Island Temple where he began to appreciate the beauty of living in the ways advocated by Humanistic Buddhism. Thereafter, Professor Shiau actively builds up his own Spirituality by practicing the Dharma and seeks returning to the original intent of Buddha by practicing Humanistic Buddhism. At the end of the day, Professor Shiau concluded his Lecture by quoting A Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s reminding verse to everyone - “The day is over, life is getting shorter; Like the fish that lives in too little water, there is no happiness; People should be diligent, as if saving the head; Always remember Impermanence and never to relax”, encouraging the audience to cherish the present, to be diligent, to do good deeds and practise the Dharma, to connect with other people more, and to encourage one another.

Professor Shiau thanked Abbess Venerable Manshin and Venerable Jue Xi for the opportunity to meet  with members of BLIA South Island. Professor Shiau’s Lecture was humorous, lively and interesting, and filled with continuous laughter and applause from the audience. On their part, the audience claimed that they had learnt a lot from Professor Shiau’s practical life experiences, and they were greatly inspired.