BLIA North Island Advisor’s Spiritual Journey – Visiting Her Home of Wisdom

During the month of June, New Zealand BLIA North Island Advisor Lesley Ruki-Willison and her husband Michael Ruki-Willison visited Fo Guang Shan Head Quarter in Taiwan. After her returned home to New Zealand she came to the temple to thank the caring arrangements made by Venerable Abbess Manshin and Head Quarter Minister in Charge Venerable Cipei. She also shared her experience of touring every major site on Fo Guang Shan ground while being guided by Venerable Huisho (The Austrian monk).

During this trip the group visited the Great Hero Shrine, Great Compassion Shrine, Meditation Hall, Amitabha Chanting Hall and other Shrines. They also viewed various museums, Fo Guang Yuan art galleries and water drop cafes. It was fortunate this trip did not coincide with any major events so she was able to venture through every corner of the venture at leisure.

After stepping through the Non-duality gate and looking upon at the sight of the Great Hero Shrine, this feeling of making a pilgrimage from the base to the apex made the body and mind feel indescribably pure and at ease. Then they visited the Main Shrine and Meditation Hall. This was followed by watching a short documentary about the Buddha Memorial Center just prior to actually heading over to the location.

After arrival they progressed through the Memorial centre’s main path, past the 8 Pagodas and toward the Great Buddha statue ahead. While listening to the narration of the process of building this venue. They then proceeded to visit the Great Buddha City, Ksitigarbha Shrine, Fo Guang Shan Memorial Center and Pure Land Cave. Then the group stopped to transcribe sutras with a calligraphy brush. This is was followed by having lunch with over one hundred members in the Yunju Hall.

Lesley and Michael were very grateful for the temple to provide the conditions to make this trip possible.