Amidst a Cold Winter, members “Fire Their Engines!”

In order to give BLIA South Island members a chance to get out and about during winter, on 19th July at 10:30am, BLIA West-one Sub-chapter organised a walk to Hagley Park. The walk drew the participants, including BLIA South Island Vice-president Jack Liu, West-one sub-chapter President Qin Ling Cai, North-one sub-chapter President Gui-Hua Yang, and other BLIA members.

Under Venerable Miaoyu’s guidance, the participants divided themselves into three groups and departed on a quick walk to Christchurch’s Hagley Park. The three groups reunited at the grasslands of the park, where the BLIA members socialised and strengthened their friendships with each other through engaging in recreational activities.

After the refreshing winter stroll to the park, the BLIA members returned to the Temple for a Reading Study Group. BLIA South Island Director Louisa Guo chose the article "Pure Love and Lustful Love" from Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s “Between Ignorance and Enlightenment” series of books as the focus of study for the session. Venerable Miaoyu clarified the difference between pure or compassionate love and lustful love. Pure love is the unlimited compassion for the masses as well as environment.

The most famous example of pure love is that of Buddhism’s founder, Sakyamuni Buddha; who abandoned His fame and fortune, renounced His worldly life as a Prince and took to the forest for self-cultivation. After attaining Buddhahood, Buddha returned to the people, and bestowed them the nectar of the Dharma that would have showed them the path to their own liberation.

Venerable Miaoyu encouraged everyone to apply what they learnt in their interactions and relationships with others, that is, to eliminate the desire component of the love they have for someone or something. Love that springs from desire will only result in tragedy and suffering.

Everyone expressed their gratitude for the Venerable’s compassion. The study group concluded with everyone singing “My home is at Fo Guang Shan" and "Pilgrimage". The completion of the eventful morning was marked by an exquisitely prepared lunch in the Dining Hall; compliments to the hospitality of the Temple.