FGS South Island Team Head Up North- Mission Sakura!

Buddha’s Light International Association South Island members and Fo Guang Shan South Island Temple devotees headed up to FGS North Island Temple to participate in the Sakura Blossom Feast on the 9th November.

The FGS South Island team consisted of BLIA South Island president Almeric Cheng, advisor Sandy Liao, Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 2 assistant curator See Shen Lee as well as others, to a total 10 people. The South Island team members were met with well over 200 people which the festive Sakura Blossom Feast attracted. During the course of the day, they participated in exciting activities, including the “Beauty of Fo Guang Shan photographic competition”, “Buddhism Study Group Closing Ceremony”, and the “BLIA North and South Island Get Together Dinner”.

During the Sakura Blossom Feast, the South Island team enjoyed special delicacy served by members of BLIA North Island’s English Sub-Chapter. Under the guidance of Venerable Miaoyu, the English chapter also received the guests with a Tea Ch'an ceremony.

In addition, the FGS South Island team witnessed the “Little Prince and Princess” talent competition where about 30 children between the ages of 3 and 11 wore costumes and performed by means of singing, dancing and kung fu. Abbess explained that although the “little princes and princesses” are very young, they will be the leaders of the country and pillars of the future for Humanistic Buddhism in New Zealand.

Later on, Mr. Cheng attended the Buddhism Study Group Closing Ceremony, where 100 members attended, including the North Island president of BLIA, advisors, Committee Groups, Venerable Abbess Manshin and all guiding Venerables.

Mr. Cheng enjoyed the presentations by the eleven study groups, who showcased their achievements and realizations through posters, performances and appreciation speeches-all of which contribute to the history of the Humanistic Buddhism Study Groups in New Zealand.

At 6pm, the South Island team joined around 60 members of BLIA North Island for a get together party to enjoy a special, traditional vegetarian cuisine at the Tea House. During the evening, Mr. Cheng and other BLIA South Island Committee members gave speeches to express their feelings and realizations. All of them expressed their appreciation for the invitation from Fo Guang Shan North Island to share their experiences and appreciate the architecture of the Temple and its Zen gardens.

They were also touched by Venerable Abbess and other Venerables’ hard work, as through their collective efforts, they have carried out their mission. Venerable Abbess Manshin encouraged members of North Island and South Island temples’ to interact by sharing their experiences and talents and supporting and encouraging one another to create good conditions for the localisation Humanistic Buddhism.

Venerable Abbess Manshin suggested that by holding this string of events at the monastery, we are able to explore the brightness and hope within our lives and through the cycle of the cherry blossom we can be taught the ultimate truth.

Account by Fan-Ping Chiang and Sheng-Han Lim