4th Day of “3G4G Festival of Culture Sharing” – Making 3G4G an Inseparable Part of Life
On 24th May, under the accompaniment of teachers and parents, over 130 students from Pakuranga Heights School came to the temple’s “3G4G Festival of Culture Sharing”. The students lined up into 5 groups outside the Front Shrine to greet the BLIA volunteers.
Volunteer guides led the groups to the visit the Pagoda, the Main Shrine (where they learnt the meaning behind sounding of morning’s drum and gong), the “Enlightenment of an Indian Prince” exhibition, the courtyard, the wish bell, making lotus origami and listening to the meaning and practical application of “3 Good Deeds and 4 Kinds of Giving”. Some students practiced these ideals straight away by expressing they will share the lotus they’ve made with their sister when they get home as well as gifting the lotus to their teachers and parents.
While listening to the Pagoda tour guide’s narrations, some students knelt on the cushion making wishes to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, while others attentively adored the “Diamond Sutra” adorning the back wall, seeming to have gain realisations. Later by the wishing bell some students made a wish to make more friends.
This was followed by servings of delicious brownies, receiving cute 3G4G temporary tattoos and watching a short film called “Life of the Buddha”. Then NZ Police Officers Piho Tauiti and Anson Lin interacted with the children in fun and entertaining ways to show them how to apply “3G4G” to the community as well as how get along with each other. This verifies that the police’s goal of building a safer and more harmonious community is in line with the ideals of a mutual respecting multicultural society.
Teacher Antonia thanked Fo Guang Shan for organising this day’s activities. Students and parents have both benefitted from learning about doing good things, saying good words and having good thoughts, for these ideals are the same as the school’s motto of respecting others.
Later in the afternoon at 12:30pm, Baverstock Oaks Primary’s Deputy Principal Andrew also led another 180 students to tour the temple for the 4th time. Principal Andrew explained that his students are actually very eager to join this festival and deepen their understanding of 3G4G. Three students that were interviewed expressed their great fondness for the “Enlightenment of an Indian Prince” exhibition, visiting the Main Shrine and interaction with the police. They also mentioned today’s learning about 3G4G have helped them to learn how to help their family with chores. The 4th day of “3G4G Festival of Culture Sharing” truly showed how these ideals can be a very close component to our lives.