Buddha’s Birthday Celebration Receives PM's Visit

The Buddha’s Birthday Multicultural Blessing Dharma Function, which was organized by BLIA North Island and co-organized by Fo Guang Shan North Island, was began on 5th April at 9.45am in front of the Main Shrine. The Dharma Function began with Venerable Abbess Manshin dotting the lion’s eye and a lion dance performance by the BLIA English Sub-chapter member Nelson.

Following on was the offering to Buddha Ceremony by the various offering teams wearing costumes from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, China as well as other countries. Offerings made to the Buddha included Incense, flower and light to name several.

Among the 150 guests who attended the ceremony included Prime Minister Hon. John Key, head of Labour Party Hon Phil Goff, the first Chinese Ethnic Minister in New Zealand, Minister of Ethnic Affair, Mrs. Pansy Wong, MP Hon. Chris Carter, Hon. Lianne Dalziel、Hon. John Boscawen、Hon. Su'a William Sio, the first Korean MP Ms. Melissa Lee, the first Chinese ethnic MP for Labour Party Mr. Raymond Huo, Mayor of Manukau City Mr. Len Brown, vice Mayor Mr. Gary Troup, Head of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland, Mr. Yang, Advisor of BLIA North Island, Mr. Zhang and committee members of BLIA North and South Island. Religious representatives who were present during the Ceremony included Mr. Pandit Kampta, who represented Hinduism, Christian representative Reverent Ann Batten, Muslim representative Mr. Gul Zaman and representative of the Catholic Church, Mr. Raphael Lobo. Over 500 devotees participated in the grand and majestic Buddha’s Birthday Ceremony, where they collectively prayed for world peace.

The annual Buddha’s Birthday Multicultural Blessing Dharma Function has been one of the major multicultural events in Auckland since 2003; it is also the center of attention for TV and radio stations. Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s presence this year has attracted yet even more media attention, including that from WTV, Maori TV, China Town Website and Howick & Botany.

PM Hon. John Key expressed his happiness for being at FGS North Island, confiding that the visit was a good opportunity to get to know another of Auckland’s major landmarks. He also commented that the huge and majestic Temple is the pride of the Buddhist community, and is also a good place to pay homage to the Buddha. PM Hon. Key is pleased that New Zealand is a multicultural country that boasts respect and tolerance. To conclude his speech, the Prime Minister suggested that FGS North Island is the first choice destination for Buddhists, and that the Buddha’s Birthday Celebration has delivered the message of peace, health and happiness. He also thanked the Temple for providing the opportunity for him to reach out to the public.

Mayor of Manukau City Mr. Len Brown expressed his gratitude to Fo Guang Shan for being open to public, allowing people to visit and pray, and also for sharing the values of Buddhism and furthering the interaction between religions through the annual Buddha’s Birthday Celebration. He also explained that when the older generations bring the younger generations to join the annual Buddha’s Birthday Celebration, there is a purpose for people to stay in Manukau City.

Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Mrs. Pansy Wong has participated in FGS North Island’s Buddha Birthday Celebrations since 2003. She said that FGS North Island has already been involved in fostering and promoting multicultural interaction locally for many years; and that the strength of religious faith has played an important role in facilitating the interaction.

During her speech, Venerable Abbess Manshin said that the beginning of water is the beginning of life, and life can become more interesting; the beginning of water is the beginning of culture, and culture can participate in multicultural interaction; the beginning of water is the beginning of the economy, and the economy can create rich sources.

Abbess continued by stating “During the economic crisis, let us hope human beings will be filled with energy; during economic uncertainty, let us hope human beings are filled with happiness; during the economic slowdown, let us hope that human beings are filled with hope. Following on from the round of speeches, the guests were entertained by the “Dun Huang” dance performed by South Island YAD and North Island YAD’s hand gesture performance.

This year’s Buddha’s Birthday Celebration included a Buddhism Souvenir store, vegetarian food stalls, Temple drawing stall, as well as multicultural music and dance performances. Visitors had the chance to join both the Blessings Dharma Function and the Buddha Bathing Ceremony. Everyone was also given the opportunity to try Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean and Malaysian delicacies while watching the performances of music and dance from Asian countries. In addition, there were stalls for traditional Chinese activities such as lantern painting, traditional Chinese knot, prayer bead making, the Baby Blessing Ceremony and games for parents and children to play. FGS North Island’s Buddha’s Birthday Multicultural Blessing Dharma Function concluded at 4pm, and its success was proven by the participation of over 7000 devotees.