Welcome Ceremony for New Members of “Fo Guang Shan Club”

On 3rd August, a welcome ceremony was held at the temple for new members of Auckland University’s “Fo Guang Shan Club”, which was attend by over 50 youths.

Young Adult Division Team 1’s leader Kar Zin introduced Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the history of YAD and propagation of Humanistic Buddhism’s “3 Good Deeds and 4 Kinds of Giving”. Event Organiser Ann Jo also played a short film showing the chronological maturing of YAD. Youth Volunteer Karina showed the new comers the temple ground and functions of the Tang Dynasty style Shrines. Venerable Zhiming showed everyone the meaning of “Tea Ch’an” and guided everyone through short periods of silent contemplation. This is to lead the youths to experience meditative concentration, stillness of the mind and discovering our pure intrinsic nature of Prajna.

Then Venerable Abbess Manshin, BLIA North Island President Dolly Tsai and BLIA Committee Members talked with the youths. The Abbess welcomed the youths to join the big family of Fo Guang Shan. She explained this temple is here to purify people’s mind through practicing according to the Dharma. Co-operation with the police to build a harmonious society and transferring positive energy to the community. She also talked about the activities of propagating Humanistic Buddhism in NZ and encouraged the youths to put their practiced compassion and wisdom into action, therefore enriching and elevating life’s values.