FGS Celebrates 10th Anniversary & Buddha’s Day
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Fo Guang Shan's opening in New Zealand, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand and Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) South Island New Zealand held a special "FGS South Island 10th Anniversary Buddhist Temple and Buddha's Birthday Multicultural Festival" celebration on the 22nd of April. Many important individuals from the Chirstchurch and wider New Zealand community came to this very notable event, including Minister of Customs Hon. Nicky Wagner, Christchurch Mayor Hon. Lianne Dalziel, Port Hills MP Hon. Ruth Dyson, National MP Dr. Yang Jian representing Minister for Ethnic Communities Hon. Judith Collins, People's Republic of China Chinese Consulate Genral in Christchurch Jin ZhiJian, New Zealand Human Rights Commission Strategic Advisor for Race Relations Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Christchurch Police Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Hill. Religious representatives that made their way to the event includes Dean of Christchurch Cathedral Very Reverend Lawrence Kimberley, Tibetan Buddhism representative Venerable Geshe Nyima Dorjee, Christian Methodist Church representative Reverend Andrew Donaldson, Catholic representative Sr. Bertha Hurley, and Islamic representative Mr Ibrahim M Abdelhalim. Over a hundred people attended the opening ceremony that morning inside the Buddha hall.
The distinguished guests were warmly welcomed and greeted that day by FGS New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin, BLIA South Island President See Shen Lee, BLIA North Island President Lintao Yu, BLIA South Island Advisor John Lai, and other BLIA members. Activities which people can take part on that day include a Dharma service, Baby Blessing Ceremony, an exhibition showcasing the Buddha's life story, tea meditation, calligraphy, bathing of the Buddha, Chinese medical checkups, food stalls serving delicious vegetarian food, and various other booths. An estimated 800 people attended the various activities taking place throughout the day.
The initial Dharma Service that day was led by Venerable Abbess Manshin, followed by blessing prayers by various other religious representatives. On this tenth anniversary occasion, a nostalgic video clip showing the highlights at FGS New Zealand since it's opening ten years ago was played on the big screens, taking the viewers back in time to the collaborative achievements and cultivation everyone in the organization has had a role in to make FGS New Zealand what it is today – an outstanding Buddhist organisation that has become well entreched and adapted to the local scene.
Christchurch Mayor Hon. Lianne Dalziel experienced the special meaning of water today during the ceremony. Water is a universal symbol associated with cleansing, it can cleanse the world of greed, hatred, ignorance, and violence. She participated in the temple's ground-breaking ceremony back in 2005 as a Cabinet Minister, and it did not occur to her that twelve years later, she would come back again, now as the Mayor of Christchurch, to see the strong connection between Christchurch City and FGS temple. The Mayor also remarked on the incredible Buddhas in cut-out caves inspired designs of the Christchurch temple which has a very meaningful cultural connection to China.
Minister of Customs Hon. Nicky Wagner reminisced on how more than ten years ago, Venerable Abbess Manshin shared with her those blueprints and plans that was just this twinkle in the eye. At first she could not believe that Abbess was really going to deliver it, but she really did it. Not only that, but the temple has also developed into a fabulous place for the people of Christchurch, and accomplished so many feats in but one short decade. At the opening ceremony of the temple ten years ago, she met Venerable Master Hsing Yun and found him to be an elderly wise man. Ten years later today, after reading precious pieces from his "366 days of Wisdom" book, it has only reinforced her view that Venerable Master Hsing Yun is indeed older and all the more wiser now.
Labour MP Hon. Ruth Dyson said that The presence today of these people and everyone here is a reflection of 'consensus and openness', something which Venerable Master Hsing Yun highly advocates. He hopes that everyone will use that day not only as a day to celebrate, but also as a chance to renew our commitment towards world peace, security and equality. PRC Consulate Consul Jin thanked FGS for serving the multicultural community of Christchurch, and for their efforts in promoting world peace. He emphasized that Buddhism can act as a bridge to maintain peace in a highly multicultural New Zealand. Inspector Rakesh Naidoo on behalf of the Human Rights Commission recognized the coming of ANZAC day in a few days time, and to remember those that have sacrificed their lives to give us a better world to live in. He is grateful to Abbess Manshin and all of the Venerables and BLIA members for their continuous services to New Zealand over this past ten years. Coming to Fo Guang Shan temple feels like meeting one of your closest friends, as it is like a sun shining equally on all of us. Besides that, FGS's collective spirit has not only made a contribution to society, but also enriched the life of our city, country, and the life of everyone in this country.
In the midst of all the celebration, Venerable Abbess Manshin did not forget to acknowledge the harships faced over these ten years. Yet even so, we can see the light and hope emerging after the Christchurch earthquake rebuild. FGS and BLIA will continue to work with all their heart to serve others, and promote the standard of happiness set by Master Hsing Yun's Humanistic Buddhism. Abbess thanked the volunteers, devotees, politicians, police, religious representatives and fellow public members for spreading 3 good deeds, 4 givings (3G4G) to their families, society, country and the whole globe.
BLIA South Island President See Shen, Lee took on the topic of 'Consensus and Openness‘, saying that although we can separate ourselves into different countries, ethnicities and languages, as long as there is consensus, we can still respect each other, and cultivate world peace. President Lee expressed her thanks to Venerable Abbess Manshin and the Venerables for their efforts in leading fellow BLIA members, guiding, and yet giving them responsibilities, in order to let them grow into better people.
The baby blessing ceremony saw about 50 odd babies accept the dew water blessing from the Abbess. Othe interests that day include tea meditation, calligraphy, quick potrait sketch drawings by local artists, Prince Siddhartha exhibition, Vegetarian food stalls, Chinese medicinal checkups, etc. The final lucky draw that day was won by Fo Guang Yuan friend Dave John Thew, which gifted him a return trip ticket from Australia to Asia. This year's Buddha's Birthday celebration was not only well received as a joyous occasion, but it also gave many people the chance to relieve the footsteps Fo Guang Shan New Zealand has taken all these ten years, a pause to reflect on history, and look forward to the future.
Several performances were held that day to entertain the guests, such as 'DunHuang Dance', 'Celestial Dance', a hand gesture performance by the Youth Adult Division (YAD) entitled 'Harmonise', as well as Lion dance performances. The Lion dance performance by the YAD members was a great highlight of the day's event, with the upbeat drums and lively Lion dance steps boosting the atmosphere, and many people were seen taking photos or videos to share on social media.