Cherry Blossom Festival
On Sunday 1 November 2009, during the Cherry Blossom Festival, under the beauty of spring cherry blossoms at Fo Guang Shan Temple (North Island), 45 couples gathered for the Renewal of Matrimonial Vows Blessing Ceremony. Throughout the world cherry blossom signifies love and romance, hence the appropriateness of renewing vows on this day. However, cherry blossom also signifies the impermanence and intransience of beauty and life making this an ideal time for the couples to reflect on their marriage.
The occasion also highlighted the multicultural nature of Humanistic Buddhism as couples from India, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Hungary and New Zealand participated in the ceremony. It enabled participants to think about the need for a harmonious family which can be achieved through compassion with wisdom, tolerance and patience regardless of whether they had been married for a short time or many years.
The renewal of vows ceremony was attended by friends and family of the participants, including 24 flower girls and boys who led the couples into the Main Shrine. The English group was led by English Sub-Chapter Committee Member Peter Batten and his wife Ann.
The service began with chanting of the Incense Anthem and Heart Sutra which talks of the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion-Avalokiteśvara. A prayer for the Renewal of Matrimonial Vows was offered by Venerable Abbess Manshin after which the couples read a declaration. Following the declaration by the couples, Abbess Manshin gave a sermon in which she highlighted the importance of respect, tolerance, support and understanding in a marriage. She also emphasised the significance of accepting each others good points and tolerating the bad points. After the sermon the couples exchanged gifts and everyone enjoyed an uplifting choral performance. Throughout the ceremony beautiful instrumental music was provided by musicians led by English Sub-Chapter member, Graham Trail.
This meaningful celebration of marriage and compassion (with wisdom) was appreciated, not only by all the participating couples, but also the supporters and onlookers. It was a very special and uplifting occasion which touched all those who participated.
After the renewal of wedding vows the couples, members of the Temple and the general public took part in a fundraising afternoon tea to raise money for the Samoa Tsunami and Earthquake Relief Fund which was an opportunity for everyone to demonstrate their support and compassion for those affected by the natural disaster. A cheque for $2000 was presented to Mr Robin Gregg, President of the Howick & Bucklands Beach Branch of the Red Cross.