Launching of Christmas and New Year Open Night Lights Exhibition by FGS South Island

Though already well into summer, the nights in New Zealand are still as cold as in spring time. In tandem with the Christmas and New Year holiday season and to add joy and warmth to the people of Christchurch, for the first time in its history, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island organises the FGS South Island, New Year 3 Good Deeds Lights Exhibition. Through the display of these bright lights, FGS hopes to metamorphose Master Hsing Yun’s teaching of 3 Good Deeds and 4 Givings into peace and tranquility in the City of Christchurch, which had experienced both natural and manmade calamities in recent years. With this exhibition, FGS wishes to once again fill the people’s hearts with ‘Confidence, Joy, Hope and Convenience’. The Lights Exhibition would span from 13th December 2019 to 26th January 2020 symbolising the continuity of brightness and happiness from one year to the next.

The New Year Lights Exhibition is divided into 3 exhibition zones. The first zone, the Animal Land, has on exhibition the lovely giraffe, the elephant, the panda, the elegant double-faced peacock, and the cartoon character Mickey Mouse. In the second zone, the Flora Land, are located the walls of Wisteria and Peony where the visitors can hang their wishing cards. In the third zone at the Buddha Hall are on display the auspicious Red Chinese Lanterns, and the lightings artistically decorated with Satin strips by Venerable Abbess Manshin. Though each of the zone is of distinctively different theme, nevertheless FGS still manages to successfully merge these different Western and Oriental styles into one harmonious Exhibition.

In this Exhibition, the electrical wirings, the fixing of light fittings and the making of wire sculptures were all done by members of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) New Zealand themselves. The BLIA members from North and South Islands were mobilised and were personally involved in deciding and making of the animal sculptures, in the purchase of light fittings and accessories, in the wiring works, and in the fixing of light bulbs and LED tubes. All these activities were accomplished within a short period of one month. Works in the electrical wiring distributions, and in the determination of electrical supplies and voltages were delicately attended to by the BLIA team.

After its launch, attracted by the warmth and brightness, local populace and tourists began visiting the Lights Exhibition. When told that all the sculptures and lighting works were carried out by BLIA NZ Team, the visitors were much moved and they accorded high praises to the Team. On learning that all the expenditures of the Exhibition were borne by FGS and admission to the exhibition was free, the visitors were full of praises for FGS’s ‘Spirit of Giving’

For several days, the Animal Land zone at the Courtyard encountered severe wind and rain storms resulting in a total blackout. The BLIA Team immediately went into action to reinstall the lighting system by first trying to identify the source of the blackout. They checked every source of electricity supply, every connecting wire and even every light bulb, but were still unable to find the source of the problem. They were so frustrated by the failure that, for a moment, they were thinking of giving up and closing down the Exhibition. However, on second thought, the images of them working tirelessly for a whole month for the event, and the vision of bringing warmth and brightness to the people, told them not to give up so easily. Because of this positive thought, they continued with their rectification effort, and after a thorough checking, they finally managed to identify the fault and brought lights back to the Animal Land zone. This episode really made the BLIA Team stronger, more positive, and more confident.

The present New Year 3G Lights Exhibition is the first of its kind held in FGS South Island. Other than bringing warmth and brightness to the City and its people, it has also become the focal point of the Temple’s devotees who flock to visit the exhibition, lending support and encouragement to the Organising Team. The Christchurch public have only good words for the Exhibition and are greatly moved by the tremendous efforts put in by FGS. The success of the Lights Exhibition has indeed strengthened FGS NZ’s confidence and determination in the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism. FGS devotees now believe that there is no obstacle they cannot overcome if they are united, and that whatever ideals and goals set by Master Hsing Yun deserve their concrete supports and strong actions. This Lights Exhibition is a milestone in the naturalisation process of the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism in Christchurch for it makes possible closer contacts between the local populace and FGS. The understanding and friendship thus established will enable both sides to work towards a better tomorrow.

See you again in next open light show.