BLIA South Island NZ AGM & Executive Conference
Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island New Zealand (NZ) called together the “BLIA South Island NZ Annual General Meeting & Executive Conference” on 2nd October with President - See Shen Lee, Vice Presidents – Louisa Kuo, Elsa Lee and James Low, Advisor – John Lai, Committee Members and 60 more members of BLIA and Young Adult Division (YAD) attending together with Fo Guang Shan (FGS) NZ Venerable Abbess Manshin and FGS South Island Temple Supervisor – Venerable Jue Xi.
President Lee thanked the presence of the attendees and show in a short film of the activities held throughout the year. The president expressed that the activities for the past year has serviced the community as the Buddha’s Birthday, the Mooncake Festival and the Chinese New Year activities were held together in giving religion and society interactions hoping that BLIA members could furthermore acknowledge on Venerable Master’s Three Goods and Four Givings slogan in the future. She also thanked the guidance of the venerables giving Christchurch a positive influence. Louisa Kuo then reported the Caring Group’s activity for the past year, Elsa reported the public charity report and James reported the involvement in the Interfaith Society; committee members and the YAD representatives have also reported their yearly activity reports.
The agenda of the meeting includes,
1. Announcing the newly elected sub chapter President and Vice President for the year 2017-2018
2. Encouraging BLIA members to the 2016 World Peace Day at the Peace Bell
3. Establishing the “Manpower Group” which is lead by Bernie
4. Encouraging BLIA members to support the YAD on the 20th Australia New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference (ANZBYC).
The agenda also includes introducing and welcoming of new members to BLIA and YAD.
Performances were arranged by the BLIA and YAD members where the performance of hand gestures alongside the song “Venerable from the Opposite, Please Look Here” were performed in giving gratitude to the venerables. YAD members then performed a Buddhist version to the song of a current famous Taiwanese song “little happiness” to present the love of all the teachings from the venerables. The abbess expressed that Buddhism is not “Walking into an Emptiness” but it is walking into nature with a humanly, lively and dynamic religion. The abbess encouraged everyone to learn the quality of Humanistic Buddhism; like the NZ police force, making good use of FGS’s assistance and abilities; invest oneself into servicing the people and develop potential wisdom with it.
After that, the abbess referred to Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s latest book “Humanistic Buddhism: Holding True to the Original Intents of Buddha” to the speech. The abbess told, in learning Buddhism, one must first do their own learning in being soft and modest. Humanistic Buddhism teaches us in upgrading ourselves into being sure of ourselves and not being controlled by any god’s power with the courage in bearing consequences ourselves. Venerable Abbess quoted Venerable Master Hsing Yun that we shall not always pray just to beg to Buddha in only giving benefits to oneself. In having the right faith as a Buddhist, one shall have the spirit of “Buddhism Relies on Me” into acting for oneself, being independent, strong and could use Buddhism as a strong mountain to hold on to, separating clearly in between Buddhism and ignorance superstitions
The abbess also used the story of “Three Beasts Crossing the River” in how attitude is important to oneself in life. The splendid talk gave the BLIA members great benefits and they have also expressed their feelings in the event. YAD member Thomas said that he will practise smiling more in giving everyone that has a chance to use a meal more joyous moments; YAD member Ann the shared that in servicing the people, she found her own value and will not waste time on meaningless things. BLIA members thanked the abbess and look forward in exploring the true original contents of Buddha. The “BLIA South Island NZ Annual General Meeting & Executive Conference” successfully concluded with joy and confidence in everyone’s heart to spread the Dharma into every corner of NZ.