Gift of <366 Days With Wisdom> to New Zealand
Master Hsing Yun understood the importance of integrating Humanistic Buddhism into local culture and vice versa to enable effective spreading of Buddha’s teachings in a foreign country. In order for Humanistic Buddhism to blend into the local culture and environment, teachings must reflect and meet local needs in order for disciples to feel related to. North Island FGS is actively knocking on doors of local hotels, motels, retirement villages, café and prisons to spread Buddha’s teachings via gifting of books “366 Days With Wisdon” <366 > by Master Hsing Yun.
To date, over 2,500 copies of <366> have been distributed across the country. More than 144 hotel/ motels have received copies of the book. At one stage, FGS received request for <366> from a Dunedin Motel after the motel owner stumbled across <366> at a Christchurch motel. A new wave of book gifting is due to start as soon as the next shipment arrives.
“Why is <366> so easily accepted?”
Owners of the Pakuranga Motel Lodge (Auckland) expressed their appreciation for FGS’s gifting of <366>. They believe it was a very meaningful act as it enables travellers from all around the world to enjoy the peacefulness through reading <366>. Academy Motor Inn owner Rubal said that <366> is very interesting and is full of rich contents and philosophy. He also thought that teachings from the book are useful in life. Ambassador Motel (Tauranga) owner Peter said that <366> is very inspiring and that he had placed a copy of 366 Days in every single motel room the moment he received them.
South Island’s Heartland Hotel manager, Myo, is delighted that through the FGS’s gifting of <366>, more people can be touched by Humanistic Buddhism; it also helps to raise the profile of Humanistic Buddhism in the western world. Another unnamed interviewee indicated that both his parents are Buddhists and he wished to explore the wisdom of Master Hsing Yun and Humanistic Buddhism through <366>. Another unnamed motel manager indicated that given New Zealand is a multicultural country, foreign visitors should be given the opportunity to read and learn about other culture/ religion. It should be encouraged as it helps people with different religious background to understand a bit more about each other and come together.
Promoting Humanistic Buddhism through gifting of <366>.
North Island book gifting coordinator, Annie Ng, said that Zhang Jiande, FGS International board chairperson, who also manages Athena Motel (Christchurch), submitted his requested for the books immediately once he knew they were available and placed them at the most eye catching location in of his motel rooms. Zhang said that promoting Master Hsing Yun’s Humanistic Buddhism is a very joyful and worthwhile exercise and encourages others to do the same.