2010 BLIA World Headquarters General Conference
Day 1- Buddha’s Light Family members Reunite!
On 2nd October, over 2000 fellow BLIA members from all over the world returned to Fo Guang Shan Headquarters to participate in the 2010 BLIA World Headquarters General Conference.
In the evening, the Conference delegates congregated in the mass hall of the Cloud Dwelling Building for a welcoming banquet where the BLIA World Headquarters President Venerable Master Hsing Yun gave a welcoming address. Spectacular performances entertained the delegates throughout the evening of fun and laughter.
Day 2- A Day of Warm Welcome!
On 3rd October, the Flag Raising Ceremony was held in the courtyard in front of the Great Hero’s Hall to receive the BLIA delegates from the various countries around the world. Founder of Fo Guang Shan Venerable Master Hsing Yun presided over the ceremony, and witnessing guests were Merit Times Newspaper Issuing Officer Most Venerable Hsing Ting, BLIA Chinese Headquarters Honorary president Wu Poh-Hsiung and a host of other VIPS.
During his Dharma talk during the evening, the Venerable Master explained that life is divided into four parts: the physical body; social life to the life of faith stage, and the birth and death of life. “The ultimate goal of Humanistic Buddhism is to help everyone end their vexations, and this is the highest aspiration of every Buddhist. BLIA conducts meetings after meetings in hope that those who have the conditions may congregate; and under the compassionate light of the Buddha may sublimate themselves and broaden their scope of life”.
At the Buddha Memorial Hall, BLIA Founding President Venerable Master Hsing Yun brief over 10,000 Buddha’s Light people-who had the conditions to hear his address-with the origins of the Buddha Hall and its future prospects.
This event was not only the conditions to hear the Dharma, but also a chapter in the history of Fo Guang Shan and the Buddha Memorial Hall. The placement of Treasures into the Underground Palace was also conducted.
Day 3- Reports from BLIA Chapters all over the World
On 4th October, the BLIA members from all over the world gave their chapter reports, and this was a time to find out about the activities and functions organised by the fellow BLIA and an opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences. BLIA South Island received an award for cultural propagation.
In the evening, Venerable Master Hsing Yun delivered a keynote speech on “Environmental and Spiritual Preservation”:
Vice-Presidents, Elders, Directors, Chapter Elder-Advisors, Chapter Presidents, Distinguished Guests, Buddha’s Light Members, greetings to you all!
First I would like to welcome everyone back to Fo Guang Shan (FGS) for the BLIA General Conference. A few months ago, the eruptions of Eyjafjallajokul Volcano and Katla Volcano in Iceland caused major air traffic disruption in Europe…Now, almost six months after the eruptions, everything seemed to have returned to normal, I feel especially joyous in seeing that everyone from the Five Continents has returned to FGS safely for the conference.
As the volcanic eruption is mentioned, it has been said that the 21st century is an era of environmentalism. Indeed, the United Nations Declaration on the Human Environment (Stockholm Declaration) was introduced in 1972 to raise awareness in environmental preservation…In the years that followed, the United Nations held several earth summits to discuss environmental issues, and passed various international conventions, hoping that through establishing international cooperation and treaties, nations will minimize the emission of carbon dioxide and other toxic gases that are harmful to the ozone layer, and slow down global warming.
However, it is regretful and worrisome to see that, despite the fact that the world has already realized the worsening problem of global warming and destruction of the ecological system, “to value environmental preservation, and rescue the earth” is still only a slogan to many, and is not being put into real action…Just as we get sick physically, the earth is sick too. When people are sick, they need to be treated and saved. When the earth is sick, it also needs everyone to care for it and save it. To save the earth, we must begin with environmental preservation. On the other hand, the protection of nature depends on humanity to self-awaken, which also starts with preservation of the spiritual environment.
To ensure that environmental and spiritual preservation are well practiced is regarded as the most urgent task for humanity right now, if we do not wish to end up as refugees of climate and environment change…Today’s earth is facing global warming, melting of glaciers, a hole in the ozone layer, lack of water sources, and various other problems. Some people cannot help but doubt, “With our little bit of strength, how much can we help? How can I save this earth?”
Actually this is not a problem. More importantly, does one have the heart? As the saying goes, “The Buddha spoke all the Dharma to remedy all minds; if no such minds exist, then what is the use of all the Dharma?” If everyone has the heart and wish to save the earth and think, “The earth is sick. I want to help her to not let it worsen.” As the saying goes, “Take such measures as the situation calls for.” Then the calamities of the earth will not be a problem.
In other words, environmental preservation must be a long-term battle work. It also is a campaign that is beyond races and crosses borders. Today, as members of the global village, we are all responsible for caring for the continuous existence of the global village. Because the Dharma clearly explains that sentient and non-sentient all exist “because there is this, there is that. If this is not, then that will not be.” Thus we coexist as one. Thus, within the continuous flow of change, even something as tiny as a speck of dust has a subtle relationship with the environment. While there is no doubt that we should strive to eliminate the dusts in our inner world and change them, we must also raise people’s awareness and take action to preserve the external environment. Not only is the 21st century the era of environmentalism, it also will be a beautiful era of purified minds (abstract from Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s keynote speech).
Day 4- Fun Fun Fun!
On 5th October, the BLIA members engaged in an afternoon of fun games and friendly competitions. These games involved teamwork and co-operation and was a chance to strengthen group adhesion and foster team spirit. Tug-of-war was clearly an all time favourite!
A group photo was taken in front of the Non-Duality Gate where the BLIA chapter delegations each bore symbols and flags representing their home country. What a big happy Buddha’s Light family!
Day 5- An Auspicious Day…A Thousand Become Official Buddhists and 22 Heros Make the Greatest Commitment!
On 6th October, the Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem and Five Precepts Ceremony was conducted. Over one thousand BLIA members attended the grand Ceremony which was held in the courtyard of the Great Hero’s Hall. FGS Founder the Venerable Master Hsing Yun, FGS Abbot the Most Venerable Hsin Pei and Fu Hui Abbot Venerable Hui Chao transmitted and taught the Three Refuges and Five Precepts to the preceptees; and Venerable Hui Ping and 21 other monastics, as well as two females of the lay order, were ordained under the Venerable Master to become Fo Guang Shan’s young and promising Dharma propagators of the Sangha.
The Venerable Master explained that: “To take the five precepts is to have self-control and self-discipline. To not kill, is not to take away the freedom of life from others; to not steal is to not covet other people’s belongings; to not engage in sexual misconduct is not to be involved in extramarital relationships and to protect the integrity of others; to not lie is to not ruin the reputation of others; and to not take intoxicants or drink alcohol is not only a way of protecting the physical body, but also a way of protecting ones wisdom”. The Venerable Master stressed that after taking the five precepts, one can be vegetarian when it is convenient to do so, and is not compulsory.
Day 6- One Chapter Leads to Another
“The Venerable Master is racing against time in the development of Buddhism, so we should also follow suit”.
The closing ceremony for the 2010 BLIA World Headquarters General Conference was held on 7th October. The BLIA Chinese headquarters President Mr. Chen addressed everyone on behalf of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and those present included the seventh abbot of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, the Most Venerable Hsin Pei, the former Malaysian Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, other distinguished guests, FGS Venerables and Venerables from other Temples, and BLIA members.
The Venerable Tzu Jung announced the ten important meeting resolutions which was simultaneously translated into English. The ten resolutions are:
1. In response to the theme “Environmental and Spiritual Preservation”, we should: purify our karma of body speech and mind; participate in forest regeneration; promote vegetarianism, actively save energy and thus reduce our carbon footprints; and protect mother Earth together.
2. To organise pilgrimages to the Buddha Memorial Hall, to become a volunteer at the Buddha Memorial Hall and to take the supporting of the sacred Hall as one’s responsibility.
3. To promote the “three good deeds” ideal as well as “the three good deeds family” movement, to continue Buddhism’s legacy, to encourage loyalty to one’s master and Temple and to establish “Buddha’s Light Three Good Deeds Families”.
4. To read and promote the Buddhist culture series of literature, hold various reading groups and seminars, and to promote the “Humanistic Buddhism”.
5. To ensure the sustainable development of the organisation, the Buddha’s Light Scouts, Young Adults Division, and the BLIA should collaborate to construct a more holistic organisation to facilitate the lifelong learning for BLIA members.
6. Supporting the "Venerable Master Hsing Yun Public Education Trust Fund" by contributing to the activities which help promote and support world-wide public education undertakings.
7. Buddhist Chanting needs to be developed into various languages to suit the language needs of every country. Buddhist scripture recitation competitions should be conducted in local languages to encourage the localisation of Buddhism.
8. To advocate the translations and publishing of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s books into a variety of languages and to improve the visibility of Buddhism by extending its presence to public places such as hotels and other public places.
9. To establish the "BLIA Internet" information exchange platform, so as to facilitate interaction amongst the BLIA membership and to create more opportunities for mutual learning experiences between fellow members.
10. Based on the notion of “gratitude towards the source”, BLIA members around the world can organise group pilgrimages to China’s Da Jue Temple; and to organise various workshops, summer and winter camps and other activities as such.