BLIA North Island NZ Joint Birthday Celebration

On 26 September, BLIA North Island NZ held a joint birthday celebration for members whose birthdays fell on July, August and September. 30 members attended.

“ Birthday is a day when all mothers suffered during childbirth . Therefore, on our birthdays, we should show gratitude to our parents. The purpose of today’s event is to remind us to be grateful. Also, we hope that through the Buddhism quiz organised by the East One Subchapter, everyone would be able to take this opportunity to learn to mould himself/herself into a gentle person full of positive energy, well-liked by others and be carefree in body and mind. Hopefully, through the quiz, we are able to enhance our knowledge in Buddhism and be wiser” said the Abbess. A blessing ceremony was presided over by Abbess for all the birthday celebrants.

Then, Ronald ,the East One sub-chapter President and secretary Jennifer hosted the Buddhism quiz. A question to recite the four verses of Fo Guang Shan in English was done perfectly and with clarity by 10 year old YAD member Sin Jun. This won him a big round of applause from everyone. The Chinese version was familiar with all the members.

Some questions asked required close observation of the temple surroundings while others tested on Buddhism knowledge. Another two games were played. One was balloons tied to the ankles and trying to burst your opponents’ balloons by stepping on them. The game started with 20 people and finally left with 3 to compete for the prize. One YAD and 2 BLIA members competed. Surprisingly, the younger and more energetic YAD member lost the game. This was also the end of the celebration.