Quadruple Celebration of FGS NZ and the Art Gallery
In celebrating 50 years of excellence for Fo Guang Shan (FGS) and the ninetieth birthday of its’ the founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s, moreover with a congratulatory re-opening of FGS South Island New Zealand (NZ) after four years of reconstruction, the Fo Guang Yuan art gallery 2 NZ that is in the same building hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the 6th of August in opening “Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s One-Stroke Calligraphy 2016 International Tour Exhibition”.
Honored guests besides Fo Guang Yuan NZ curator – Venerable Abbess Manshin are MP for Christchurch Central – Hon. Nicky Wagner, member of the NZ Parliament for Port Hills – Hon. Ruth Dyson, Chinese Council General in Christchurch – Jin Zhijian, Canterbury’s District Commander – Superintendent John Price, NZ Police – Inspector Al Stewart, National Strategic Ethnic Advisor, NZ Police National Headquarters – Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Christchurch Interfaith President – Dr. Surinder Tandon, Canterbury Interfaith President – Diane Downward, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) North Island NZ elder advisor – Dolly Tsai, President – Stephen Yu, BLIA South Island NZ advisor – John Lai and Sandy Liao, President – Seeshen Lee, lcal artist – Carole Harnett and around 120 more attendees joined in the celebration.
Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees were invited to watch a short video documenting of Venerable Master’s One Stroke Calligraphy. Although the master’s eyes couldn’t see well, but his calligraphy could touch hearts moreover gain praises and applauds from one after another. The video was followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony where Venerable Abbess Manshin and 8 honourable guests were there to start the exhibition. Abbess thanked everyone that attended; reopening after four year is not an easy task, but with cooperation of the team, they broke through these difficult times and now welcoming a better hope and future. The curator went on to introduce the art and explained that every artwork are genuine by the hands of Venerable master, with exceptional artistic value and with the master’s true wisdom. When encountering hardships, these words could direct everyone to the right path.
Hon. Nicky Wagner then said in a speech that it is a joyful event for everyone as the temple reopens. She also said, in year 2007 while the temple first opened, she met with Venerable Master which is a strong, wise and inspirational elderly gentleman. He is also very encouraging, as what these calligraphies are doing today. And she reflected to the district commander on one of the things venerable master said about the community, it is if everybody came to the temple, the police will be out of job, as the temple guides the heart of everyone to goodness.
District commander Superintendent John Price then shared that the community has put the NZ police and FGS in the same group as these are all guardians of peace and this peace goes beyond the temple building. As these four years of challenge has been through, with diversities of race, religious and groups, Christchurch is having the wholeness of emerging into coming together as one, making Canterbury stronger and unified. Council general Zhijian congratulated on the many celebrations of the day and how Venerable Master combined two of the most important Chinese heritages emitting a vast level of art giving the world a feeling of world peace. After that, Inspector Rakesh Naidoo represented Human right NZ, gave best wishes to the reopening of the temple, and shared on how Venerable Master Hsing Yun successfully brought equanimity, balance and equality to everyone throughout gender, the Sangha and the nation using culture, language and art. With this achievement of equanimity, balance and equality all have benefited in harmony.
BLIA North Island NZ advisor Dolly Tsai then greets auspiciousness to everyone and hopes that everyone would treasure the time to enjoy the exhibition as every drop of ink on the calligraphy gives value and life. Today, we shall not just look at the Chinese characters in the calligraphy, but also we should understand and cherish the heart of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s every stroke and every word.
Later on, curator Venerable Abbess Manshin led the group throughout the tour. Besides adoring the art, the guests felt master’s perseverance and depth of life, Venerable Master Hsing Yun has become the master of masters, leading the Dharma, diligence and harmony open mindedly to the public.
Artist Carole Harnett also admired the spirit shown by Venerable Master Hsing Yun as he could use the remaining of his ink for his artwork until late night. Mother and daughter, Julia and Amy whom visited the building for the first time were grateful that they could see an excellent exhibition after the earthquake and also witness a rare event where David Bolam-Smith read the article “I wish” on that day.
Ikebana flower arrangement instructor, May Wang was also there to enjoy the exhibition and said that the whole exhibition was blissful and calm. “Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s One-Stroke Calligraphy 2016 International Tour Exhibition” will be exhibiting here until the end of October. It is believed that it would draw countless attendees giving Christchurch a rhythm of joy.