Papanui International Students Visited FGS

To enable different ethnic Students learning English to learn about the multi-facet cultures of the City, the teachers of Christchurch Papanui High School Community College specially arranged a visit to Fo Guang Shan Temple South Island for the students on 13 June. Despite the cold weather on that day, more than 50 students eagerly visited Fo Guang Shan Temple South Island. On hand to receive the visitors were Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery public relation officer Vicky Han, BLIA members Jack Liu, Kok Wai Low and Frida Dai.

The students and teachers were taken on a tour of the Temple including Front Door grotto design, Art Gallery, main Shrine, courtyard, and the time coridor. The visitors were told the story of the benevolent feats undertaken by Artist Li to help the victims of earthquake in WenChuan, Sichuan, and they were deeply touched. The students expressed great appreciation for the intricate and meaningful design of the Time Corridor. In the course of the tour, they sought answers to the way Buddhists perform their prayers, and to the significance of the offer of flowers and lighted candles to Buddha.

Teachers Sue and Megan recounted their previous visit to the Temple in 2012 prior to the Christchurch earthquake, and said that this visit was their first after the earthquake. They found the present environment to be even better than that prior to the earthquake, and they will certainly promote the temple to their families and friends, and hope they can come for week-end visits. As a parting gift, Venerable Abbess Manshin presented the publication “FGS NZ 10th Anniversary report” to Sue, Megan and the visit organiser.