Venerable Jue Pei’s Pure Mind Seminar in CHCH

On the 25th of February, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) General Secretary and Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Monastic Committee Venerable Jue Pei arrived in Christchurch, accompanied by Venerable Abbess Manshin of FGS New Zealand. They were warmly greeted at the airport by FGS South Island Supervisor Venerable Jue Xi, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island New Zealand's President See Shen Lee, as well as other BLIA members.

A Seminar was given at Chateau on the Park on 7pm by Venerable Jue Pei, with the title 'When the mind is pure, the land is pure – a discussion of Vimalakirti Sutra and Humanistic Buddhism'. This was meant to give the Christchurch public a wonderful overview of some Buddhist teachings. Among the honorable guests invited were Republic of China Oversea Affairs committee Dr. Alex Fu, The People of Republic China Beijing oversea Political Consultative, New Zealand Pacific Resources Company Chairman Qiu MingChun and wife, BLIA North Island General Advisor Dolly Tsai, BLIA South Island New Zealand's President See Shen Lee, BLIA Advisor Sandy Liao and John Lai, among other BLIA members and Christchurch participants, with up to about 170 people present.

Venerable Jue Pei introduced the audience with the concept of 'When the mind is pure, the land is pure' using the stories from Vimalakirti's encounter with Buddha's ten great disciples, in a language that is plain and easy to understand the essence of Buddhist teachings. She encouraged everyone to target the 'cause' of our problems, wherein the 'cause' lies non-other than in our very own self. To fully and deeply understand this internal causation, the virtue of 'I am miniscule and wrong in comparison to others who are greater and more correct', to regain and maintain this nature of being merciful and willingness to let go, is a step towards understanding the pure land in one's mind.

The audience gave a round of applause to Venerable Jue Pei for her outstanding seminar, and as a token of remembrance, the BLIA members and attendees sincerely requested Venerable Jue Pei to have a book autograph session. After the seminar, Venerable Jue Pei proceeded to interact with BLIA member, cherishing the time she had to share Buddha's teaching in this serendipitous gathering. Dr. Alex Fu expressed how he could relate especially to Venerable Jue Pei's lecture. In regard to his years of medical profession, 'Giving up' was already something he knew to practice at certain times, and via this seminar session, he could reaffirm that this understanding how to let go is also a method of solving problems.

Venerable Jue Pei continued with a moving story of how Paraguay's 'BLIA Hospital' came about. It seems quite often that the importance of Buddhism is only seen during times of extreme hardship. In times of hardship or suffering, that is when we should all stand in solidarity, and appreciate the very present, the uncanny serendipity of knowing each other. Lastly, Venerable Jue Pei hoped that the repairs undergoing at the South Island temple would finish soon, and that the Christchurch public gave their support to sustain the place and protect the home of Wisdom.