2009 BLIA AGM Promotes the “Three Goods”

The BLIA has organised many events over the last year and has brought much joy and happiness to the devotees. In order to bring out the enthusiastic attitudes in the BLIA members while participating in Temple activities, and encourage more people to join the BLIA, the annual general meeting was held on the afternoon of 28th November in the Buddha Hall of Fo Guang Shan South Island Temple.

BLIA President Almeric Cheng, BLIA Advisors and Directors along with 70 members attended the meeting which was hosted by guiding Reverend, Venerable Abbess Manshin. Guests included BLIA North Island President Dolly Tsai and members of the BLIA North Island English Sub-chapter.

President Cheng reported on the affairs of BLIA for year 2009, which included; Buddha’s Birthday, Chinese New Year Celebration, supporting the operation of Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery and Temple activities like the opening of the Wonders of Embroidery Exhibition; every member played their important roles to make sure the event ran smoothly; and the effort in allowing Christchurch’s locals to gain a better awareness and understanding of Fo Guang Shan South Island and its undertakings.

Committee members and Sub-chapter presidents also gave a report on behalf of their sector: Treasurer Chiuxia Wang reported the financial situation; North-one Sub-chapter President Guihua Yang and West-one Sub-chapter President Lisa Tsai reported on the activities their Sub-chapter had organised during the past year; and the Vice-president of the Young Adults Division, Andy Hsu presented a summary of the events they took responsibility for over the last year.

President Cheng also gave a report on behalf of fellow BLIA members who were also Red Cross Meals on Wheels volunteer deliverers, acknowledging their ten years anniversary of their commitment to the worthwhile service and the recognition they received from Meals on Wheels organisers.

The meeting also brought forth several major proposals: propagating the “Three goods things and four good givings” advocated by Venerable Master Hsing Yun; confirming the 2010 Chinese New Year Celebration date; announcing the date for the Buddha’s Birthday Celebration; and organising a diversity of Buddhist classes and cultivation activities. New BLIA members were also welcomed and given BLIA vests.

Venerable Abbess Manshin encouraged everyone to allow their lives to be more fulfilling and to take the initiative in shouldering responsibilities at the Temple and the annual general meeting concluded with Venerable Abbess sending her blessings to everyone present, wishing that everyone may find their own direction and standing in life; this is one of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s ideals. Afterwards, the Abbess introduced to everyone the edition of the Nan Fang Daily magazine which ran an article on Venerable Master and hoped that everyone would take the time to read it and learn from his devotion to Humanistic Buddhism.