Inspection Parade in New Zealand Royal Police College

On Monday 22 February, Venerable Abbess Manshin, a Patron of the Police Recruit 261 Wing, was invited to Wellington to attend the Inspection Parade. After 20 days training, the new recruits stood smartly in their uniforms waiting for the inspection by the Abbess, who was accompanied by Superintendent Mike Wilson.
After the parade Venerable Manshin had breakfast with the Wing members, leading them to recite Fo Guang Shan 4 verses. She asked the recruits about their 20 days training and life in the Police College. The recruits said they had enjoyed their time at the college and also posed a lot of questions to Venerable Manshin.
Venerable Manshin shared with them the meaning of Lohan shoes (shoes worn by a monastic), which represents the six perfections; the Scar of Abstinence on the head, which represents precepts, meditation and wisdom. She also explained to the recruits that carrying oneself with grace and decorum is also part of the Buddhist practice and shared with them a short verse to remind them of this element of practice: ‘Sleep like an arrow, Sit like a bell, Stand like a pine tree and Walk like the wind.
After breakfast Venerable Abbess Manshin gave the recruits a gift, ‘Dharma Words from Venerable Master Hsing Yun’ hoping that they will benefit from the words of wisdom to develop their inner-self to be able to deal with any problems and challenges in their daily lives. The recruits said that they find Buddhist practice very practical.