Nothing But Praise During Energy Minister’s Temple Visit

Fo Guang Shan South Island is a centre for religious, art and cultural exchange, and its contribution has been widely recognised and praised by the diverse local community. Minister of Energy and MP for Ilam, Honourable Gerry Brownlee together with MP Nicky Wagner, visited Venerable Abbess Manshin at Fo Guang Shan South Island on 14th August.

The welcoming party included Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerable Juexi, Venerable Miaoyu, BLIA South Island President Almeric Cheng, Vice-president Mei-Hua Chen, BLIA North Island President Dolly Tsai, Vice-president Peter Chen and committee members of BLIA North and South Island, totaling 20 people.

Venerable Abbess Manshin personally took Hon. Brownlee around the Temple and Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery, introducing to him the building design concepts along the way. Venerable Abbess Manshin also explained that the Buddha Hall is the heart of spiritual activities for the local community.

The Minister was delighted with the artworks of the “Way of Life Photography Exhibition” and Yao Hong Ying’s remaining few pieces of artworks on display, and praised the Art Gallery for “touching the hearts of the local people” with inspiring artworks.

During the humorous and relaxed conversation with the Minister, Venerable Abbess Manshin introduced to him the role of Fo Guang Shan in the local community, and its important responsibility of conducting cultural and educational activities and assimilating Buddhism into the New Zealand culture.

On behalf of the Temple, Venerable Abbess Manshin presented Hon. Brownlee with the books “80 Years of Star and Cloud” and “Cloud and Water”. The Minister promised he will donate the books to the Parliament House’s library after he finishes reading it, as he hopes other National MPs and parliament staff may also gain a better understanding of Humanistic Buddhism as advocated by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. As the guests completed a tour of the Temple, they headed for the Tea House where everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by the Temple.

Hon. Brownlee commented that he was delighted to see Fo Guang Shan New Zealand’s contribution to society; bringing high quality artworks to the country. He also confided that the Temple’s peaceful and solemn atmosphere was hard to part with. Before his departure, the Minister expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome he received and for the opportunity to gain a better understanding of both the building design concepts and the mission and undertakings of Fo Guang Shan.