Prayers with Abbess’s Guidance on 2nd CNY day

For all convenience for the people of Christchurch to have a chance to pray to the thousands of Buddhas’ and gather merits, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island New Zealand (NZ) organised a Dharma function guided by Venerable Abbess Manshin on the second day of Chinese New Year falling on 29 January. Around 70 pious devotees attended the “Praying to the Thousand Buddhas’” dharma function.

The abbess then expressed, when practicing “Giving”, do not worry too much on losses, giving will dedicate space, gain merits and the abbess wishes that everyone will always have this kind of spirit. The abbess also shared the atmosphere at FGS North Island NZ on the first day of Chinese New Year where help of the NZ Police force were given to keep the traffic smooth, even when the NZ Police force was having a busy schedule in recruit new police officers. At least 250 people were interested it become the best enrolment for the police officers ever made. The abbess said that those who visits the temple during the Chinese New Year are faithful, this gives good conditions for them into becoming a good police officer, which is the welfare of the public in the future.

Although FGS North Island NZ is always crowded during this festive season, Venerable Abbess Manshin will always find time to visit FGS South Island and to meet the members and devotees here as well to guide everyone into prayers and Dharma functions. The abbess told everyone that when the heart cultivates good roots long enough, it will grow good merits, compassion will fill everywhere, focused and worthy, and this will create fortune for the person to enjoy good returns.

With this year’s Chinese New Year quote from FGS founder Venerable Master Hsing-Yun’s “Rising Dawn of Success” in conjunction of the year’s Chinese zodiac, the Rooster, Venerable Master encouraged the public to strive in becoming a wellbeing person and take examples from the Four Great Bodhisattvas. After that, Venerable Abbess Manshin informed that a new exhibition will take place on the 11th of February entitled “Humanity and Love Oil Paintings by Zijian Li”, which is a rare exhibition and hopes everyone could visit the exhibit. In the end, the abbess wishes everyone a Happy Chinese New Year, and the abbess’s pulse will always be with the people of Christchurch, to shine for a better successive record.