Venerable Yi Kong’s Time with the BLIA Member

Venerable Yi Kong, the executive director at University of the West and Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Headquarters’ director arrived at Christchurch on June 13. During that afternoon, Venerable Yi Kong met with the BLIA South Islands staffs and members. Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerable Jue Xi, BLIA South Island President See shen Lee, Vice President Louisa Kuo, BLIA Advisors along with 30 BLIA members were present. All attendance was enjoyable and inspirited by interesting story and humours metaphor.

Venerable Yi Kong also shared her experience in disaster relief during Taiwan earthquake in 21st September 1999, she have wrote a book called ‘Gaining the spirit within the rubble’ during that time. She said that Christchurch current situation quite similar likein Taiwan and, and she believed that resident of Christchurch able to stand together to rebuild their home. She encouraged BLIA members learn from the spirit of grass, as it never defeat by strong wind.

BLIA south island Director Mei-Hwa Chen said that after reading a news that Taiwan have a incident that a youth who murdered few people in train coach, she wondered how to apply Buddha’s teaching to change this society? Venerable Yi Kong replied that we are live in an imperfect world. Criminal just like a cup of salt water, Buddhism like crystal pure water, by adding more water can reduce the salty taste in water. BLIA members can become importance role in enhance positive energy, purify our social and spiritual.

Venerable Yi Kong also encourage members appreciated and fully utilise what we have. She explained that it is a pleasure to be human, treasure to learn Buddhism, fortune to meet a wise teacher, control the 6 senses of us. We can improve the quality of life through education. We should propagate three good deed by Venerable Master Hsing Yun and applied it into our daily life. At last, she advised BLIA members to expand “Buddhism life spent” in New Zealand by equipped with spirit of happiness, giving, serving and sharing.