NZ Police Commissioner Inspired By The Exhibition

On the 27th of September, New Zealand Police Commissioner Howard Broad visited Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 1's exhibition “The More Good the Better”, a collection of International Little Artist’s Awards at Fo Guang Shan North Island Temple. After the visit, the commissioner became inspired by the exhibition, and decided to hold a New Zealand version of the exhibition, namely “Children and Adolescence Art Exhibition”, to help decrease New Zealand's adolescent crime rate.

On the 12th of October, the Strategic Advisor for New Zealand Police Mr Kefeng Chu came to Fo Guang Shan South Island Temple to visit Venerable Abbess Manshin, and inform her of the NZ Police Commissioner's thoughts on the “The More Good the Better” exhibition. He talked about how the exhibition depicted beauty and generosity, brightness and happiness; which can enhance a person’s education and hope and strength. Mr Chu also explained that as a result of this, they wish to hold a similar exhibition, to help purify the minds of adolescents, and help decrease New Zealand’s adolescent crime rate.

Venerable Abbess Manshin expressed her support for the idea by offering the commissioner an opportunity to exhibit the artworks in Fo Guang Yuan New Zealand Art Galleries 1 and 2, as well as asking the Buddha's Light International Association South Island Committee members and BLIA Young Adult Division members to help with the exhibition. Venerable Abbess Manshin also pointed out that the event will be held by the government, and will greatly influence the people of New Zealand, and for this, BLIA will hope for its success and support it throughout the process.

Mr Chu represented the Police Commissioner in inviting the Venerables’ from North and South Island Fo Guang Shan Temples'and BLIA members to participate in the Diwali event on the 22nd of October.

On that day, BLIA will have a lot of interaction the New Zealand parliament, in which it will be possible to spread the word about Buddhism, and to inform people about what Buddhism is.

Account by Fan-Ping Chiang and Sheng-Han Lim