Visits from Honorable Benefactors to FGS South Island
The honourable benefactors from Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Taiwan’s Directors visited Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island on 23rd of September with Venerable Yi Zhao and Venerable Yi Shi. BLIA North Island NZ President Dolly Tsai which also the Honorable Benefactor was with them during the trip. They received a warm welcome from Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerable Jue Xi, BLIA South Island NZ President Miss See Shen Lee, BLIA Advisor John Lai, BLIA Dharma lecturer Rona Ku and many other BLIA members.
The VIPs had the opportunity to visit FGS South Island Temple that is currently under reconstruction, including a tour around the temple and introduction to the designs and functions of the temple. At the same time, they had the latest update on the progress of reconstruction and the obstacles faced during the process. Shortly after that they were taken to Cloud Water Cottage paying homage to Buddha and enjoy a sumptuous meal with 2014 BLIA South Island NZ Report in hand.
President See Shen gave a speech to the VIPs. She thanked them for their concern and expressed that FGS South Island is a gift from Venerable Master Hsing Yun to the people in Christchurch and serves as the venue for the BLIA members who are seeking for a shelter. She thanked Venerable for the continuous effort in taking care of FGS South Island and not giving up the devotees in Christchurch and briefly talked about the activities held by BLIA South Island. Advisor John Lai, Dharma lecturer Rona Ku and Director Jack Liu and Eugene Yu shared their stories with FGS South Island in the past 2 years and demonstrated the determination that BLIA members have to overcome these hardships.
Abbess Manshin thanked the benefactors for their concern on the reconstruction of FGS South Island Temple and shared the stories on Christchurch Earthquake 2011 and how BLIA members participated in aiding the relief for the quake city. She said that everyone should uphold the principals that Venerable Master Hsing Yun been promoting and never give up when facing difficulties in order to complete the recovery of the temple.
The Honorable benefactors volunteered to share their experience for the visit. They said that the spirits demonstrated by the BLIA members in NZ was really admirable and vow to support the Monastic order. If there is a chance they would like to visit FGS South Island again after the recovery.
As Christchurch was the last stop for the Honorable benefactors' New Zealand trip, they took a flight back to Taiwan after the meal, leaving behind all the wonderful memories worth cherishing.
Apart from that, BLIA Oceania Gathering Council Mr. Liu and wife visited Cloud water cottage on the 22nd September and was welcomed by Abbess Manshin, Venerable Jue Xi and all the other members. Mr. Liu said that what the FGS South Island is going through right now reminds him of the hardships they have gone through 25 years ago while trying to set up Brisbane Chung Tian Temple. He also stated that BLIA members from all over the world are aware of the challenges that we were facing in New Zealand and had repeatedly expressed concern with actions to support the people in FGS South Island. He encouraged everyone to learn from the obstacles and take them as an opportunity to strive and achieved better learning from these obstacles, as they are all valuable experience. Last but not least, he wished everyone can “Fulfill the Wisdom and Merit” and that the people will continue to work together and hasten the progress of reconstruction of the temple.