NZ North Island FGS welcomes 2016 with “Pilgrimage and sutra copying”

As the first country to step into the New Year, New Zealand NIFGS welcomed 2016 with “Pilgrimage and sutra copying”(Pilgrimage). At 6am on New Years day, nearly 300 FGS disciples robed in Haiqing gathered at the temple front door to partake the “Pilgrimage”.

Led by FGS Venerables, the “Pilgrimage” started at the temple’s car park entrance and the group slowly made their way to the Main Shrine. Disciples chanted “ The Heart Sutra and “Master Sakyamuni Buddha” and at the same time bowed to the Buddha every third stride to show their respect and devotion to Buddhism. Through chanting, bowing and prostration, disciples were able to concentrate on the task at hand and prevent distracting thoughts from cultivating and bowing helps the practitioner to put aside ones’ self-pride and arrogance and bring out/ reinforces the humbleness from within.

Abbess Venerable Manshin led the group to Transfer Merit and spoke about the advantages of the “Pilgrimage”. The Abbess said that “taking part in the Pilgrimage is similar to treasure hunting from within, every step cultivates compassion and opens doors to discover new sources of wisdom and helps one to self reflect on their faith. It was because of faith that everyone woke up early on New Years Day to take part in the Pilgrimage. Faith provided power, confidence and wisdom.

When undertaking the prostration bow, five main body parts are placed onto the ground, these include: the head, knees and palms. The process of lowering one’s body lowers one’s blinding self pride and arrogance and enables the wisdom and compassion from within to emerge and softens the heart.

The Abbess also passed on Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s blessings and encouraged everyone to explore and exert the power of faith and wished everyone a fruitful year of the Monkey.