BLIA South Island Year-End Tea Party
On 17th Dec 2016, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) NZ South Island held a Tea Party to welcome the arrival of New Year 2017, and at the same time to reminisce about the events of 2016. The Tea Party was graced by Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin who flew down from Auckland specially for the occasion. The Tea Party was attended by FGS South Island Temple Supervisor Venerable Jue Xi, BLIA NZ South Island President See Shen Lee, BLIA NZ South Island Vice Presidents Louisa Kuo and Elsa Lee, Presidents of BLIA South Island Sub-chapters, and 40 members of BLIA NZ South Island.
In her welcoming speech, BLIA South Island President Lee thanked all for their presence. For all the successful projects completed, President Lee expressed her gratitude to FGS NZ Abbess Manshin, FGS South Island Temple Supervisor Venerable Jue Xi and members of BLIA South Island for their encouragement and relentless support. She hoped that in the coming year, BLIA South Island would grow in strength with the expansion of its membership. This would definitely auger well for the future activities of BLIA South Island and hence the development of Humanistic Buddhism in Christchurch.
The Tea Party started with the flag handing-over ceremony between the incumbent and the newly elected BLIA South Island Presidents of West one sub Chapters, North one sub Chapters and English sub Chapters. This was followed by the presentation of 2016 BLIA Outstanding Cultural Heritage Award to BLIA South Island by Venerable Abbess Manshin. For their enormous contribution, incumbent BLIA South Island Secretary Lynn Tuam and incumbent BLIA South Island Treasurer Tiffany Su was each presented with gift by Abbess Manshin.
Later in their speeches, the incumbent Presidents of sub West one sub Chapters and North one sub Chapters thanked members of BLIA South Island for their support and the opportunity to serve the masses; whilst the newly elected Presidents of West1 sub Chapters Louisa Kuo, North one sub Chapters Luping Bi and English sub Chapters Sally Lim thanked members for the trust bestowed on them and promised to make 2017 a colourful year. BLIA South Island members Murray, Bernie and incumbent Secretary Lynn then took turn to share their feelings and experiences as members of BLIA South Island and they expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Venerable Abbess Manshin and Venerable Jue Xi for their invaluable guidance.
At the gathering, members were also treated to a video presentation of the World Meeting of BLIA held earlier in the year at FGS Headquarters in Kaohsiung Taiwan. In Video record of the BLIA Night Talent Show t held in Kaohsiung, it was noted that members of Oceanic BLIAs, of which BLIA NZ was a part, performed outstandingly in their Poi-E and Line Dances.
In her speech, Venerable Abbess Manshin encouraged members of BLIA to take an active part in BLIA activities and she promised FGS’s full support for such activities. Venerable Abbess Manshin also pointed out that the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism in North and South Islands may take two different approaches; just as there exist different characteristics between the FGS North and South Island Temple. The former is noted for its “Chan” inspired landscape, while the latter is famous for its captivating building design.
Towards the end of the Party, Abbess Manshin shared with all present the revelation by the Brain Surgeon who recently operated on Venerable Master Hsing Yun. According to the Surgeon, though ninety years old, Venerable Master Hsing Yun still possesses a brain of sixty year old man. This phenomenon can be attributed to the frequent and active usage of the brain by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Therefore, in order to possess a young brain, Abbess Manshin urged BLIA members to change their mind sets, make frequent use of their brains and keep themselves busy with the many activities of FGS and BLIA. Finally, Abbess Manshin wished all BLIA members a fruitful New Year filled with positive attitude.
The Tea Party ended with BLIA South Island President Lee thanking Abbess, Venerable and members of BLIA for their presence. Amid singing of Rhythm of the world songs and in joyous mood, members of BLIA finally bid each other farewell!