Visit of Methodist Reverend to FGS South Island

On 27 Aug 2016, Reverend of St Mark Church, Southern Christchurch New Zealand, Reverend Andrew Donaldson, paid a visit to Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple South Island New Zealand. Reverend Andrew was warmly welcome by BLIA South Island President See Shin Lee, Vice President Louisa Kuo, James Low, and Committee Member Tracy Chen.

Reverend Andrew was first guided through the Fo Guang Yuen Art Gallery where the ‘Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s One-Stroke Calligraphy Exhibition’ was being held. In the Art Gallery, Reverend Andrew was briefed on the background story behind Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s One-Stroke Calligraphy. Venerable Master Hsing Yun first started the One-Stroke Calligraphy as a means fund raising for the ‘Public Educational Trust fund’ and ‘Positive Media and Communication Award’. Within a period of 4 months, Venerable Master was able to produce more than 7000 pieces of One-Stroke calligraphy. In many instances, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, though late into the nights, still insisted on writing in order to use up the last drops of the ink on the desk. According to Venerable Master Hsing Yun, this would accord value to the ink, turning it into calligraphy writing instead of just being thrown away. At the invitation of the BLIA host, Reverend Andrew tried his hand on the Calligraphy writing himself and admitted it to very more difficult than he first imagined it to be. He expressed his admiration of Venerable Master Hsing Yun for his resolution and determination in practicing One-Stroke Calligraphy.

Afterwards, the entourage moved upstairs to the Time Corridor, the Special Exhibiiton Room and the Buddha Hall where Reverend Andrew performed the Light offering. Members of BLIA then took the opportunity to explain to Reverend Andrew the functions of various Dharma instruments in the Buddha Hall. Before leaving the Hall, Reverend Andrew made his wish in front of the wishing Bell.

Before bidding him farewell, members of BLIA South Island presented to Reverend Andrew, as a souvenir, the 2017 FGS calendar. Once again, Reverend Andrew thanked the hosts for their hospitality and expressed his view that such interfaith interactions would lead to better understanding among various religious groups and hence to a more harmonious society. Members of BLIA in turn expressed their wish that through the practice of Dharma, members of FGS Temple would be able to explore the potential strength in them in order to better service the Public.