Fo Guang Shan Holds Buddha’s Birthday Celebration Ceremony at Auckland University

On 25th May Fo Guang Shan’s youth group at Auckland University held a “Buddha’s Birthday Celebration Ceremony”. Despite the cold and rain, BLIA members decorated the venue, sold food and culture gifts for fundraising, therefore initiating the attitude of “giving” promoted by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Then under the guidance of Venerable Abbess Manshin, Minister in Charge Venerable Juehao, other Venerables, BLIA Committee Members and Fo Guang Shan youths, they held a Buddha’s Birthday Dharma Function by reciting Sutras and made prayers to the Buddha wishing all students will be cleansed body and mind to have successful examination results. Auckland University Chaplain Rev. Uesifili Unasa also came to support this multicultural event.

The Abbess shared the details of May “Festival of Culture Sharing” with the Reverend, describing how over 1500 attended the event in order to bring the spirit of 3G4G to the wider community. She also talked about the many seminars polices have held at the temple and the recent estuary art exhibition. This means BLIA has contributed to society as well as attracting many people of different ethnicity to visit the temple.

Having attended the “6th Asia and Oceania Religious Conference” together with the Abbess, Reverend Unasa was happy to welcome members of the temple to visit the University church and explained it’s functions. The Reverend explained that beside providing marriage services, it is also open to students to have discussions, study, cook lunch and chat with friends. This is a good way to relieve pressure from studies and make friendship with others.

Over 300 university students participated in this ceremony and asked many subsequent questions regarding the temple’s operating hours, ideals of Buddhism, art and religious propagation. This event showed Buddha’s Birthday Celebration does not necessarily have to be held in a temple.