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Fo Guang Shan (North Island) NZ Temple Tour

01 / 02


On 7 October, the BLIA General Conference 2010 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan held its’ closing ceremony. BLIA (Chile) President, Felipe Yeh and BLIA NZ (South Island) English Sub-chapter President, Glenda flew home via Auckland and visited Fo Guang Shan NZ (North Island) on 9 October.

They were hosted by Venerable Manwang and shown around ‘Way of Life Exhibition’, ‘Liao Tian Zhao’s Carved Stone teapot Exhibition’ and Master Hsing Yun’s ‘One Stroke Calligraphy Exhibition’.

Mr. Yeh had been appointed BLIA (Chile) President for nearly one year now and this was the first time he attended BLIA General Conference in Taiwan. He shared about their dharma propagation in Fo Guang Shan, Chile and how he first joined BLIA. He migrated from Taiwan to Chile 28 years ago and speaks fluent Spanish. This is his first visit to New Zealand and he thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery. He was impressed by the simple yet powerful ambience the temple has projected, conveying unspoken dharma messages through its’ arts and culture.

As for BLIA NZ (South Island) English Sub-chapter President, Glenda is an Australian who moved to NZ 21 years ago. She joined BLIA (South Island) about a year ago and was on her back to Christchurch from Kaohsiung.

Before attending the conference, she was unaware of how large the BLIA organization was, and was astonished when thousands of BLIA members from all over the world of different nationalities and races flocked back to Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan.

Although there are thousands of people from diversed cultural background, everyone shared the same mission. At that moment, she felt very at home and certainly knows that Fo Guang Shan is the place she has been searching for.An interior designer by profession, she described the Buddha memorial hall as magical. The meticulous planning and thought that goes into the architecture and all the minute details that were taken care of are totally fascinating. Her faith in the Dharma has strengthened after taking the Triple Gem and five Precepts in Taiwan.