Father’s Day Celebrations

Sunday 7 September

This was the first time that Father’s Day celebrations had been held at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple. It was supported by about 150 participants and each father was given a buttonhole flower to wear in their lapel, indicating appreciation for their hard work and contribution to their families. Venerable Abbess Manshin and all of the Venerable led the chanting of the Diamond Sutra and following celebrations.

The service and celebrations were attended by, President of the BLIA, Peter Young and BLIA committee members. The VIPs who joined in the celebrations included National Party Member of Parliament, Pansy Wong, and two parliamentary candidates for the area. Pansy Wong gave a speech, in Mandarin and English, saying that according to her research 90% of father’s help with housework even when they have businesses to run and careers to follow which is a great example for the 21st century.

Venerable Abbess Manshin gave the Dharma talk. She said that Venerable Master Hsing Yun could be looked on as everyone’s father. He sets a good example and his mission to propagate Humanistic Buddhism transcends time and space. There are 3 stages of filial piety; giving good worldly materials; giving privilege to their parents through morality, achievement and success; leading their parents to overcome rebirth. Being a Venerable is to give the highest filial piety to their parents and relatives showing then the conditions and way of how to overcome rebirth. Parents have to set a good example to their children when taking care of the family and wished that everyday should be Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and Family Day.

Performances to celebrate Father’s Day were organized by East 2 sub-chapter”
• The BLIAYAD members performed hip-hop dancing
• The students from the Chinese School recited a prayer expounding the virtues of their fathers
• The English sub-chapter sang ‘What a Wonderful World’ accompanied by Georgina playing the guitar
• The Central sub-chapter sang in Taiwanese and students of the Chanting Class chanted, expounding the virtues of the Venerable.
Three groups of fathers and sons/daughters participated in a game called ‘How much do you know about your father?’ The competition demonstrated good relationships between the 2 generations.

The members of BLIAYAD had made 2 cakes as their gift to everyone, especially the fathers, which was shared after a group photograph in the Main Shrine.