House Blessing for BLIA South Island New President
On 15th April 2018, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island President Bernie and wife Samantha invited Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand Abbess Venerable Manshin and FGS South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi to their home to perform a home-illumination ceremony, as well as to choose a location and install their newly acquired FGS Buddha statue. Accompanying Abbess were BLIA South Island Vice Presidents James Low and Ding Lihson, and more than 10 other people inclusive of BLIA South Island Directors Louisa Kou, Tracy Chen, Mei-Hwa Chen, BLIA Young Adult Division (YAD) president Zhang Dong, and secretary Forest Lin.
Upon their arrival, President Bernie took the visitors for a tour of the garden and the interior of the house. On the advice of Venerable Abbess and with the help of BLIA members, the FGS Buddha Statue was installed by President Bernie at a quiet corner of the house. With slight adjustments of the Buddha statue, more space were created that could accommodate comfortable prayer room as well as a meeting place with guests.
Following this, Abbess and other Venerable, led the chanting of ‘Heart Sutra’ in front of the Buddha statue. Next, Venerable Abbess presented the ‘Heart Sutra’ written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun using one-stroke calligraphy, and wished Bernie and family success in their diligent pursue of Humanistic Buddhism, peace and happiness. Abbess stressed that all BLIA members must make Buddhism the centre of their lives because practicing Buddhism will generate positive energy which can, in addition propagate Buddhism and serve the public, adding value to the society. Since their children are all grown up and live independently by themselves, Abbess encouraged Bernie and Samantha to devote more into Humanistic Buddhism as this will help to cultivate wisdom and plant seeds of good affinity.
Bernie thanked Venerable Abbess Manshin, FGS Venerable and BLIA South Island members for their help and support which made it possible for him to successfully carry out many activities within his four months achievement as President of BLIA South Island. Through this, he realised the importance of collective participation. He now treasures affinity and hopes to create good infinity so as to better serve the public.
At the end of the function, President Bernie took the opportunity the performances of those involved with the recent Buddha Day celebration. This give improvements in next year’s celebration. Bernie thanked FGS New Zealand for inviting the Dun Huang Dance group from Taiwan to perform at the celebration. Their outstanding performances was the highlight of the event and added sparkles to the celebration. As for those less than perfect aspects of the event, President Bernie promised to look into ways to make improvements next year. President Bernie wished that, with guidance from Abbess and Venerables, BLIA South Island will head for a better tomorrow.