Words of wisdom for Graduated NZ Royal Police College Wing 261 Cadets
On 10 June, forty Wing 261 Police Officers graduated from the NZ Royal Police College after an intensive 19 week physical and academic training course after which almost all the graduate Police Officers will be sent to Manukau Counties. Patron Abbess Manshin was invited to inspect the Parade, give a speech and present the Graduation Certificates during the Graduation Ceremony, which was held at the NZ Royal Police College, Wellington.
Other invited VIPs and guests included Police Commissioner, Howard Broad; Deputy Commissioner, Rob Pope; The Principal of NZ Police College, Mike Wilson; Superintendent Wally Haumah; Inspector Lindsay Duncan; Porirua Mayor, Jenny Brash; Maukau City Human Resource Manager, Brendan Ryan; Police Inspectors, parents and friends of the Graduates and 300 other guests.
The Graduating Parade was inspected by Commissioner Howard Broad, Abbess Manshin, Superintendent Mike Wilson and Hekia Papata MP. Abbess Manshin was invited to present prizes to the top three cadets who had been were judged on their overall performance in shooting, driving, swimming, computing and academic success. Patron Abbess Manshin presented an auspicious Buddha’s fingered sculpture to the person with the third highest overall marks. She said she hoped that every police officer would take very good care of the local community; like the thousand hands and eyes of the Bodhisattvas; and explained that those who came close to the auspicious Buddha’s fingered sculpture could gain a purified mind. The Commissioner and the Police Inspectors praised the meaningful significance of the prize.
During the speech given by Commissioner Howard Broad he praised the Abbess for her contributions to the local community in the area of culture and education, which make the Temple a spiritual home for many local people. Abbess Manshin shared the words of wisdom from Master Hsing Yun:
1. We must not forget our initial aspirations
2. Always be an uninvited guest when there are good deeds to be done
3. Always forget the old scores with our friends / colleagues/ family
4. We must be adaptable to the ways of the society
She encouraged all the Police Officers to learn the virtues of the Bodhisattvas, using compassion, courage, enthusiasm and wisdom to create a heartwarming, adventurous, surprising and fruitful life journey. Her splendid speech gained applause from the guests.
The graduating ceremony ended with a traditional Maori dance and Abbess Manshin gave each graduating Police officers a gift of the book ‘Dharma Words’ by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. To the Police Inspectors the Abbess presented the English version of ‘The Great Realizations’ and ‘The Platform Sutra’.
The ceremony was reported by Aimie Cronin, of The Dominion Post, who interviewed Abbess Manshin. During the interview Abbess Manshin also answered questions regarding the importance and significance of ‘Dharma Words’ by Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Fo Guang Shan’s emphasis on youth education.