BLIA Sends Love & Warmth to Low-Income Households
In accordance with Fo Guang Shan (FGS) founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s wordly compassionate and merciful spirit, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Sfgouth Island New Zealand organized a charity event on the 8th of December. This annual “Spreading Love and Warmth” activity was led that Tuesday by BLIA North one sub-chapter president Jessie Teo, who first asked many BLIA members to donate any food and necessity that can be spared. These were all collected at the Cloud Water House, sorted and packed into boxes ready for delivery.
On the actual day on the 8th December, FGS South Island Venerable Jue Xi, BLIA South Island President See Shen Lee, and Vice President Elsa brought the group of BLIA volunteers to the Christchurch City Mission located in the suburb of Linwood. About 20 boxes of goods were handed over to Mary Wood, the food bank manager, and her team. Mary thanked BLIA for this kind and generous act, and for coming every year to help support low-income families going through the end of year Christmas and New Year season. She was also delighted to hear that the Christchurch FGS temple repair work was nearing completion, and will be happy to visit the place once it re-opens.
BLIA South Island President See Shen Lee was pleased that so many BLIA volunteers had helped donate their time and items for this charitable cause. This is an important recurring annual activity, whereby BLIA can make an effort to support the wider society in a most meaningful way. BLIA Vice President Elsa also added that after four years of practice and effort, the BLIA volunteers had certainly become faster and more efficient with the whole process of gathering and dispatching the goods. It is very touching to see how the group’s tacit understanding has built up over time with many similar group-based activities.
This charity experience taught our fellow BLIA members the significance of “Giving” as promoted by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Besides the act of giving in a compassionate and merciful manner, one must also know how to give wisely, and to give with value. BLIA hopes that our teamwork efficiency can continue to improve, so that our selfless services to the public can carry on into the future.