Christchurch Rotary Club’s Evening Temple Visit

The local Christchurch Rotary Club paid a visit to Fo Guang Shan South Island on the evening of 23rd September. Event organiser Mr. Tom Glass commented that he has always been impressed by the elegance and peaceful atmosphere brought forth by the Fo Guang Shan Temple and his main purpose of organising the visitation for the club was to let more people benefit and be acquainted with the Temple.

The visit was organised in the evening to avoid conflict with the day work schedule of most members. In order to assist with the evening, Venerables and members of the youth group volunteered together to help with the Temple tour while the introduction of the building was done by BLIA President Almeric Cheng, at the same time, they toured the ‘Way of Life’ photography exhibition in the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery South Island, Time Capsule Corridor and the Buddha Hall.

The visitors expressed their fascination for the monastery lifestyle as well as questions that they had for the temple building and Buddhist principles which were answered by the Temple staff member Shenghan Lim. The art gallery tour was conducted by Assistant-curator Seeshen Lee where she introduced the artworks of the Korean artist Ms. Helena Kim; egg art that mesmerised the Rotary Club members.

At the end of the visit, they enjoyed light refreshment prepared by the Fo Guang Tea House. Club president Mr. Max expressed his thanks to the Fo Guang Shan Venerables, and all the people that provided the warm hospitality allowing them to understand more of Buddhism and the Humanistic Buddhism concept brought forth by Venerable Master Hsing-Yun.