Ringing the Bell in the Prayer for World Peace

19th October marks the date of the “Prayer for World Peace” organised by Christchurch Interfaith Society and respective guests such as New Zealand Minister of Custom and Strategic, Hon. Nicky Wagner attended the event. More than a hundred members from the Interfaith being the Buddhists, Anglicans, Catholics, Baha’is, Hindus, Christians, Jewish and many more participated. Fo Guang Shan South Island Venerable Jue Xi, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island NZ President See Shen Lee and more than 30 BLIA members also joined as 80 years old Sister Bertha Hurley hosted this meaningful event.

Hon. Nicky Wagner was invited to start the event by a peaceful knock on the Peace Bell. The Christchurch Interfaith Society Organizing President, Dianne Downward then welcomed everyone to the event and presented the “Christchurch Interfaith Honorary Lifetime Membership Award” to Sister Bertha Hurley in recognition of her contribution over the years for the Interfaith and world peace programs organized. Following the wonderful award presentation, prayers are then given by each faith. BLIA NZ has given the “Prayer of World Peace” by Fo Guang Shang founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, with the Peace Bell rang, sending the peaceful message to all corners of the world.

Hon. Nicky Wagner is happy with the annual event of “Prayer for World Peace”, seeing various faiths getting together, committing in bringing world peace to the society. Each faiths teaches to start by having peace internally in oneself, and gradually affect family members, friends, the community and the whole world, which serve the same purpose of Venerable Master Hsing Yuns’ “Five Pentagon of Harmonious” teaching.

Sister Bertha then thanked various interfaith for attending and said she has been happily committed to the “Prayer for World Peace” event for many years; she hopes the event could continue where everyone could feel the precious value of peace throughout these meaningful activities.

Christchurch Interfaith Society’s president Dianne wishes that the Interfaith would always be a bridge for the various faiths to service the community and to create positive energy. Christchurch Interfaith Society Organizing Vice-president, Jennifer Beck was pleased that more than a hundred participants of numerous ethnics that speak numerous languages joined the event to express the meaning of peace.

This “Prayer for World Peace” event has brought joy where BLIA members were fascinated by the unity of various faiths and could now practice more on the philosophy of “Five Pentagon of Harmonious” by Venerable Master Hsing Yun to bring peace to the world.