Chanting Service for Christchurch City Earthquake

On the 25th of February, 7pm sharp, BLIA NZ Relief Service Centre organized a Chanting Service for Christchurch City Earthquake. With the lead of Venerable Abbess Manshin, approximately 70 devotees and members of Fo Guang Shan were in the praying event. After the prayers, Abbess shared out expressions of the unceasingly rising disasters throughout the years that affected the Oceania region.

Venerable Abbess Manshin also expressed, the whole nation was shocked when the February 22nd earthquake suddenly hit Christchurch city with a 6.3 magnitude. In the quickest time after the earthquake, Abbess Manshin ordered the devotees and members of BLIA NZ South Island to establish the BLIA NZ Earthquake Relief Centre. In the same time, Venerable Abbess Manshin asked BLIA NZ North Island President Dolly Tsai and a few other BLIA NZ North Island members to purchase air tickets to Christchurch city immediately to assist South Island members. Venerable Abbess Manshin also expressed that, Venerable Master Hsing Yun of the BLIA headquarter has contributed NZ$ 100,000 to the New Zealand Red Cross for the use of the relief of this disaster. Abbess also praised the New Zealand media where they did not stir up to make news as it is a manner to respect life and it should be learned by everyone.

In the end, Abbess quoted a word from the Master; 「Dare」and explained the importance of “dare”. At the present difficult situation, we must “dare” to undertake, “dare” to face, “dare” to pay, “dare” to offer, “dare” to provide strength, no matter how small the service is, it will accumulate into a huge energy to comfort the people.