Celebrating a Miracle- Graduation Did Not Come Easily

Recently, BLIA South Island and FGS South Island had a lot of good news come their way. In November, it was the 10 years Anniversary of Service Awards coming into the hands of BLIA from Red Cross. This month, more good news has come. FGS South Island English Social Education’s Shenghan Lim has graduated from the University of Canterbury.

Shenghan began life at the monastery at the age of twelve. Three years ago, after many years of encouragement from the Venerables, he gained university entry, and went onto study Education as a major and the Chinese language on the side. This month, he has graduated with flying colours, walking away as one of the top two students of his course.

Three years ago, a pot of rice noodles was prepared to celebrate Shenghan’s achievement of gaining university entrance. This year, to celebrate his successful graduation, the Temple prepared a graduation dinner on the 15th December and invited Shenghan’s parents and brother and 60 members of the BLIA to celebrate his achievement and share the joy.

Venerable Abbess Manshin said that over the last several years, she has witnessed Shenghan’s growth on the spiritual path, and at the same time reminded everyone that it is Venerable Master Hsingyun’s vow to look after the young. Abbess said that Shenghan is a miracle of life; he has defied all odds and turned impossible into possible, and completed a university degree.

Shenghan’s parents sincerely expressed their gratitude to the Temple for the many years of care and concern for their child, and North and South Island YAD members took turns passing on their wishes to him. The moving graduation dinner left everyone joyful, as everyone has witnessed for themselves a real-life example of how Buddhism can change the fate of people.

In order thank the Temple and his family for all their support, Shenghan specially invited Venerable Abbess Manshin and his parents to attend his graduation ceremony. At the ceremony, the hall filled with joy and excitement as the graduates receive their reward for their many years of hard work invested into study.

Being placed in the top two students of his course, the University has offered him a place in the honours program, and the Venerables, parents and Fo Guang people are all proud of his achievement.