2015 FGS NZ Buddha’s Day Multicultural Festival
26th of April marks the date of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) and Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island NZ organizing the “2015 FGS NZ Buddha’s Day Multicultural Festival”. The grand occasion took place in Addington Raceway & Event Centre amidst activities like “The Story of the Buddha”, Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Arts and Book stall, Tea mediation, Sutra Copying, Balloon Art, exhibiting Buddhist Cultural souvenir, serving of Vegetarian food and many more.
VIPs consisting of Port Hills Labour Party Electorate – Hon. Ruth Dyson, Labour Member of the Parliament for Wigram – Dr Megan Wood, Member of Parliament for Christchurch East – Poto Williams, Christchurch City Councils – Gareth Turnbull together with Peter Laloli and Chinese Consulate Consul General in Christchurch – Jin Zhijian all attended. Representatives from the NZ Police Force – Detective Superintendent Virginia Le Bas, Detective Inspector Tony Hill and Constable Elizabeth Young were also present. Besides that, Venerable Prajnanada from Sri Lanka, Venerable Geshe Nyima Dorjee from Tibetan Buddhism, Ibrahim Abdelhalim from the Muslim community, BLIA North Island NZ General Advisor – Dolly Tsai, BLIA North Island NZ President – Steven Yu and many more were there respectively for the event.
Lion dance started the ceremony coming next by the entry of the New Zealand and Buddhist flag, accompanied by the playing of Scottish bagpipes. Following after is the entrance by the honorable guests ushered by FGS NZ Venerable Abbess Manshin and BLIA South Island President – See Shen Lee. BLIA’s Young Adult Division (YAD) then led the crowd in singing the National Anthem and Ode to the Triple Gems. The Abbess and other FGS venerables guided around 120 participants in chanting the “Heart Sutra”, saying “Prayers for the Buddha’s Day Celebration” by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, bathing the Buddha and other religious representative saying their prayers as well as wishes.
A video was then shown where Venerable Master Hsing Yun worked tirelessly carrying educational values flying all over the globe and opening universities. The persistence spirits of Venerable Master are admired by the public. BLIA South Island’s video showed activities held all year round, promoting education around the world. The crowd applauded and showed gratitude for the service and education given from FGS and BLIA members.
President SeeShen Lee thanked the attendees and talked about “Hope of the Future” which is the vision of Venerable Master Hsing Yun practicing “Three Good Deeds” and “Four Givings” in the society, spreading kindness to purify the hearts of everyone. Furthermore, President Lee expressed that BLIA South Island is actively promoting education and welfare by collecting books to be sent to Buddhist College in India to help widen their knowledge; “366 Days with Wisdom” were given to Various Christchurch hotels for travelers in getting better blessings and wisdom.
Speeches were then given by the honorable guests where Hon. Ruth Dyson said in her speech that Christchurch is moving in a positive stream into the future with the community restoring back its glory; in subsequent, Consul General Jin Zhijian pointed out that Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Three Good Deeds and Four Givings are the correct path to follow. Constable Elizabeth Young then thanked the cooperation that has been going on for a long time with the FGS and BLIA team, bringing peace and harmony to the country. General Advisor Dolly Chai explained that Buddhism is not just a religion, but also an education which is respected and welcomed by many locals promoting Humanistic Buddhism.
Venerable Abbess Manshin continued in conveying four positive points from Venerable Master Hsing Yun which are:- one, priority should be given to the country; two, have a legitimate life; three, understand the affinities of the world; four, create life’s joy. Abbess then wishes everyone have a wonderful blessing in this Buddha’s Birthday; may all have a grateful and joyous life in the future.
The ceremony ended with the brilliantly graceful Dun Huang dance and glittering hand gesture performance by the youthful Young Adult Division (YAD) alongside the song “Star and Cloud” leaving the crowd overwhelmed and amused.
In the meantime, the Baby’s Blessing ceremony took place where more than 50 babies in the arms of their parents were sprinkled with clean nectar water by the abbess and venerable, wishing them in growing up healthily under the blissfulness of the Buddha.
“The Story of the Buddha exhibition”, was shouldered by BLIA English-Subchapter’s Leader Charmalie. She and her family, friends were dressed up in traditional Indian Saree which gave an atmosphere of the Buddha’s era. Also shouldering up is the NZ police force that not just helped keep the ceremony safe and peaceful, they have also put up booths to manually distribute and share ways of crime prevention measures. The Women Health Group too was there to give awareness in explaining and providing information on carcinogenic and various health issues. Sutra copying the, Tea Meditation sessions, explaining the words of sutra and many more created the interests of everyone and it is actively participated. Vegetarian stalls were busy serving a long queue eagerly waiting for Water Drop Café’s gourmet. The ambience peaked up when the YAD performed lion dance winning thunderous applause and the end of the performance, there was a lucky draw giving out the calligraphy Collection “To Enlighten Sentient Being” by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, little Buddha prince icings and a return ticket to Australia.
The solemn Buddha’s Day Ceremony ended not only touching the hearts of everyone, but has also given joy and appreciation to all. It is a memorable day with responsible multicultural stalls in place. This has given hope and the feeling of importance, with everyone looking forward to the next Buddha’s Day.
Various Stalls attract public during 2015 CHCH Buddha's Birthday