Annual Reunion Dinner at Fo Guang Shan
The 2015 Reunion Dinner was held on the evening of 7th February. It was attended by over 1000 people including guests such as Jami-lee Ross; Botany Local MP, Dame Susan Devoy; New Zealand Human Rights Commissioner, Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Justin Zeng; Police Asian Liaison Officer, Guo Ming Zhang; Director of WTV and his wife, Venkat Raman; Director of Indian News Station, Rosa Chow; Chairperson of Asian Council of Crime Prevention, Jamie Milne; Community Football Development Manager, Eddie Xie; BNZ Asian Department Manager, Artists Irene Keckes and Nim Flora Chan, BLIA Presidents, Directors, Advisors and Committee Members.
During the 6pm Dharma service, Venerable Abbess Manshin led everyone to chant Mantras and prayers. Then she started well wishes for this New Year of the sheep by explaining Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s New Year slogan of “Auspicious beginnings for peace and harmony”. This to encourage everyone to learn from the sheep’s gentle and easy going temperament to others happy and spreading the warmth of harmony throughout the world. Together we can coexist in this world in peace and equality by practicing wholesomeness, sincerity, being responsible, humility, unwavering, tolerant, gratitude, not discriminative and able to let go of impermanent things. This will establish mutual compassion and respect and the ability to tolerant others that are different to us.
Jami Lee Ross and Dame Susan Devoy all spoke about the importance of harmony for social development. This is why Humanistic Buddhism’s “3 Good Deeds and 4 Kinds of Giving” limitless functions. New Zealand is a multicultural country, so it is hoped that peace and harmony can really blossom for everyone’s lives.
Inspector Rakesh talked about 12 long years of co-operation between the temple and NZ Police. He thanked the temple for it’s contribution on disaster relief, life education and multiculturalism. This year, the “National Multicultural Advisory Board” established by the police will invite the Abbess to become part of the team. Rakesh believes that with the assistance of Humanistic Buddhism, New Zealand society will have a brighter future.
BLIA North Island President Stephan Xu welcomed everyone to this Reunion Dinner. He also thanked the Abbess for leading everyone on the path of cultivation. Through the many activities everyone’s wisdom lives have been nurtured. By taking responsibilities one can solidify and be lucid about their faith, which leads to more energetic, enriched and hopeful lives.
This year over 30 BLIA Youth Group volunteers served up delicious cuisines to everyone’s tables. Their care and good service was appreciated by the guests.
The evening also included many excellent entertainments such as the youth group’s “Sound of the Human World” songs, BLIA Members performing Duan Huang Dance, Maori dance and Mountain dance. The festive atmosphere has even inspired members of the audience to break into dancing themselves.
Many participants expressed that joining the Reunion Dinner is an important scheduled event for them. Not only are the cuisines healthy, the joyful atmosphere also reminds everyone of Buddhist family’s warmth. Through such joy and harmony one truly feels the empowerment of the Buddha’s wisdom.