Chairwoman of Thailand’s Working Group for Justice and Peace Visits the Temple – Experiencing Equality between All Beings

Angkhana Neelaphaijit, Thai Human Right Activist and Chairwoman of the Working Group for Justice and Peace visited the temple on 16th December in order learn about the organisation’s fostering of multiculturalism in the local community. This was the end of her trip in New Zealand to exchange human right issues with her counterparts. On the day she was received by Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerables and BLIA volunteers.

The courtyard was especially crisp and fresh after having just been recently mowed by the volunteers. The tranquillity and beauty of this atmosphere made Angkhana very happy. She took many pictures while strolling among the cherry blossom tress. Then the Abbess led the visitors to tour the Front Shrine, Main Shrine, Pagoda and “Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s One Stroke Calligraphy Exhibition” at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 1. The Abbess also explained the functions of the Shrines and the temple’s experiences from helping to harmonious the local community.

Angkhana is really concerned about the status of Bhiksunis within Theravada Sangha. Although now that she has found out that even though there isn’t any Bhiksuni community in Thailand but Fo Guang Shan has trained and developed many excellent Bhiksunis that has accomplished real deeds within the Buddhist congregation. She also praised Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s ideals of “Equal sharing between four categories of the Sangha and equality between the monastic and lay disciples.” this is the same as equality in human right. On behalf of the temple the Abbess gave Angkhana a gift of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s book “366 Days with Wisdom”, “Humanistic Buddhism – Original Intent of the Buddha” and “2016 BLIA New Zealand Work Report”. Angkhana thanked the temple for these gifts and felt that she has gained a lot through this short one hour visit.