Fo Guang Shan (North Island) Preparation for 2011 Rugby World Cup

The 2011 Rugby World Cup will be held in New Zealand from 9 September to 23 October. 20 countries will compete against each other and 85,000 international visitors are expected to visit New Zealand. Fo Guang Shan (North Island) will be part of the Heart of the Nation Art Trial Project which is a part of a wider community engagement program that integrates well with fan zones as part of the Auckland Rugby Festival program.

On 1 September, Electrical Lighting Project Manager David and temple’s volunteer Hoon discussed about the possible options of using lightings to accentuate the temple’s architectural features for the Art Trail project, simultaneously incorporating New Zealand’s sheep, Chinese rabbits, Buddhist Novice monks and Rugby’s cultures into the projections. Interesting ideas like novice monks playing a game of rugby and rabbits wearing the jersey were also discussed. Thereafter, David was shown around the temple and he was fascinated by the serene ambience of the temple.