Reunion Dinner held at the Temple
This year’s Reunion was held on 14th January, and joined by over a thousand people. The evening’s event started with a boisterous lion dance performance by members of YADs.
The preceding Blessing Dharma Function was conducted by Venerable Abbess Manshin and joined by special guests include Jami-Lee Ross, Botany MP; Zhongxin Zhou, Head of Taipei Economics and Culture Office; Venkat Raman, Editor & General Manager to Indian News Link; Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Strategic Advisor to Human Rights Commission; Commanding staff of the local police and others.
The Dharma Function was followed by a speech from the Abbess where she described how the temple has provided localisation to the community step by step through cultural, educational, charitable and art activities. These footsteps left in history and civilisation through compassion, renovation, and steadiness will surely spread the harmonious and beautiful ideals of Humanistic Buddhism far and wide. The Abbess also thanked everyone for constant support and input which helped make history from the last ten years, and hopes they can continue to create a better tomorrow together.
This was followed by the quote of “Openness is a kind of wisdom and a kind of compassion.”, from Stephen Yu, BLIA North Island President. He also mentioned Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s ideal of “Common ground and openness” Because of this open attitude from Fo Guang Shan, it is able to work with the local government. Stephen also hopes this openness can be extended between different faith, so there can be cooperation with different religious groups and different schools around the community, therefore leading wider openness among society.
Afterwards everyone was treated to scrumptious vegetarian meals accompanied by multicultural performances. This included BLIA members dancing the Maori Poi Dance, YAD members chanting the “Vajrasattva One Hundred Syllables Dharani”, Dance and Hand Gesture Performance of a song from the Sound of the Human World Collection and many more. Then the temple gave gift of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s New Year’s couplet called “Rising Dawn of Success” with everyone, hope all can bring these words of auspiciousness and wisdom into their homes.
Some participants have praised the night’s event with the words: “Fo Guang Shan’s Reunion Dinner performance feels like China’s New Year’s Night National Performances, which are full of festivity, magnificence and high quality.” They felt that the annual Reunion Dinner is an event that cannot be missed. Not only will they tasted these meal in peace, they also got to bring a piece of auspiciousness, joy and fulfilment home.