BLIA South Island NZ Celebrates Laba Festival

Sakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment on the 8th day of the last month of the Chinese lunar calendar, and every year around this time, Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) South Island New Zealand will observe this anniversary with complimentary servings of Laba congee. This year, the celebration was held on the 16th of January at the Cloud and Water cottage. Venerable Jue Xi led a mass of 30 people for sutra prayers, and also to read aloud a worded prayer written by Fo Guang Shan founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun as an offering to the Buddha on this anniversary date.

Venerable Jue Xi told those who attended that day about the origins of Laba congee, and perused a specific phrase from the "Wu Deng Hui Yuan" book in Ch'an studies, that of "Breaking off the bottom cover of a barrel [to be released from confinement]" . In order to truly achieve spiritual understanding and enlightenment, one must spare no energy in changing who we are, not just superficially as in out facial looks, but metaphorically right down to our very bone as well.

Besides using Buddhist teachings and a righteous mentality to change our habits, what is more important is to have the undying spirit to improve and grow by ourselves. Like sixth Patriarch Master Hui Neng when he attained enlightenment, rejecting all offers by his elders to help him cross a river, saying that: "When disillusioned, the master guides; when enlightened, I myself will suffice [to cross the river]", showing how we ourselves can also be our own driver on the path.
Later on, Venerable Jue Xi also warmly advised the attending BLIA members to have a joyful heart before having the Laba congee, so as to be able to receive the eight auspicious blessings, and in reflective reciprocity, spread those eight auspicious blessings to people around.

That afternoon after the delicious Laba congee meal, everyone spread out in four directions to deliver the Laba congee to shops and neighbouring houses around Christchurch. Each household who received a serving of the Laba congee was also given a copy of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's "Message from the humble Monk" book, and his "Be Smart and Agile" Chinese New Year calligraphy for good blessings in the upcoming Year of the Monkey.

A total of Two-hundred and fifty Laba congee servings was sent out that day. It was a great pleasure to see everyone receiving the delicious Laba congee with a good mood, and also learning more about the story and meaning behind the enlightenment of Sakyamuni Buddha.