Buddha’s Enlightenment Commemorated with Congee

To commemorate Sakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment Day, FGS South Island Temple commenced the Dharma Treasure Festival by organising for BLIA South Island Director Gina Chen to prepare the healthy and delicious ‘Eight Treasure Congee’. BLIA Directors Louisa Guo and Meier Tsai packaged the congee into takeaway containers, and organised for them to be delivered to the many shops and individuals who had registered for a share of the commemorative congee.

This year, the congee was delivered to people in the Christchurch Central, Burnside and Riccarton suburbs, as well as to businesses who deal with the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery South Island. Besides the congee, the people also received a ‘Awe-Inspiring Virtue and Ocean of Merits’ Chinese New Year scroll and posters with information about the forthcoming Chinese New Year events and activities which may help spread the good news around.

At FGS South Island, piping hot special congee was served to Temple guests between 10am and 2pm, and an explanation of the significance and origins of the congee was provided. The delicious congee had many visitors come back for second servings. At the conclusion of the congee delivering mission, everyone was filled with joy, after having shared the joy of Sakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment Day with others. Over 300 portions of the congee was delivered that day.