Harmonious Multicultural Land in the NZ Diversity Forum

The 10th New Zealand Diversity Forum was held on August the 24th and 25th in University of Canterbury with respective attendees such as MP-Nicky Wagner, Race Relations Commissioner-Dame Susan Devoy, NZ Police Commissioner- Mike Bush, Mayor of Christchurch-Lianne Dalziel alongside with Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island NZ President See Shen, Lee, BLIA South Island North Sub-chapter President Elsa Hayes and 10 other BLIA members attended.

Panel forums and proposal of solutions for the problem of migrant and refugee employment were all discussed by students, the police force, government officials, religious representatives and more. Given speeches shows that the face of NZ is a nation of multi racial immigrants and in recent years, these multi racial immigrants has not just improved in quantity, but also the quality between races and religions, between mutual understandings of cultures, respect and tolerance, especially when the large need of construction workers are needed after the Christchurch earthquake incident to rebuilt a harmonious and beautiful Christchurch.

Prayers were given by multi faiths such as Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism and the Bahai religions while flowers were offered, symbolizing harmony among religions as one. “A Prayer for World Peace” written from Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun was then read out by former BLIA Young Adult Division (YAD) South Island NZ President-Danny Chen and current BLIA YAD South Island NZ President Maggie, witnessing the religious harmony and mutual assistance in between.

In the afternoon, panel discussions were held and BLIA South Island President-Ms See Shen represented the Buddhists in sharing the cooperation given to the community after the earthquake. She shared that after the earthquake, under the guidance of FGS NZ Venerable Abbess Manshin, the Buddhist community have grouped up in helping on not only giving out hot food, but also cooperating with the police force, participating in community relief work, organizing prayers and Dharma functions to those who need it, following the philosophy of Venerable Master Hsing Yun in “Three Good Deeds and Four Givings” in the way of culturing and educating everyone in purifying their hearts.

This two days event has enhanced the understanding of the community in diverse culture, making New Zealand a more harmonious multicultural land, reaping the greatest reward to everyone.