Wishful thinking of Love in BLIA NZ Meeting
The Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) North and South Island NZ members held a two day “BLIA New Zealand Fellowship” meeting on June 5 and 6 in Fo Guang Shan (FGS) North Island, Auckland. FGS NZ Venerable Abbess Manshin, other respective Venerables, BLIA North Island President Dolly Tsai and around 55 BLIA members attended the meeting where 6 more members from BLIA South Island NZ also joined in the meeting presided by Temple Supervisor Venerable Juexi and Venerable Miaoyu.
On June 5, the meeting started as BLIA North Island President Dolly Tsai welcomed all South Island members at the temple and explained to every participant on the objective and agenda for these two days. The group then divided into two for a new temple tour where both group leaders emphasised on the architectural feature and design implication. Venerable Abbess Manshin then had a simple quiz with both groups on the understanding of the temple and everyone was tested. It brought a lively atmosphere and a better idea of the tour.
On the same evening, the most favorable dinner of steamboat was served as it brings the dharma and everyone closer. After dinner, all BLIA participants joined in the “Endless Night” program as creativity of members in performing shined out. Songs are sung and danced to joyfully. In the sharing of these performances, it shows the great spirit of how Humanistic Buddhism could be related to the world.
Early morning on June 6, in acknowledging and meeting the hearts of the participants, BLIA members had Question and Answer session with Abbess. The questions include: 1. How does one simultaneously live in the society with an untroubled body and mind. 2. What are the details to pay attention on before a Dharma function and how to maintain the Main Shrine in a dignified manner. 3. The consensus of multi-religious marriages. 4. Does Humanistic Buddhism believe in Feng Shui? In the session, Abbess included a story of Chinese Zen Masters, The Price of Enlightenment from Second Patriarch, Huike, where he dislocated an arm hoping to learn from Bodhidharma. The story teaches, before one finds peace of the body and mind, one must discover one’s own heart, when one plays one’s own role wholeheartedly with the right mindfulness, peace would be attained. Besides that, Abbess has also expressed, the most important thing in multi-religious marriages are to respect and to embrace each other. Abbess further explained that Buddhism does not promote “Feng Shui”, and told the story of how 50 years ago , Venerable Master Hsing Yun turned a piece of unwanted land into a home for all Buddhists and this is where Fo Guang Shan Headquarters stands majestically today. This shows, “Human Effort is the Decisive Factor” where good “Feng Shui” is from striving, hard work, contribution and the causes and effects. These simple explanations from Abbess had brought answers to everyone and let everyone a better understanding of Humanistic Buddhism.
Later at 1 pm, the “BLIA New Zealand Fellowship” continued with the meeting held by BLIA North Island President Dolly Tsai, advocated by Venerable Abbess Manshin, FGS North Island Temple Supervisor Venerable Manwang and FGS South Island Temple Supervisor Venerable Juexi. Matters discussed in the meeting were: 1) Encouraging more members to the December 2011 BLIA World Headquarters General Conference and the Opening of the Buddha Memorial Center. 2) The August 14 Ulambama Festival to be organized together with both North and South Island. 3) Preparation for the Buddhism Knowledge Exam and Dharma Talks. 4) To confirm dates to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday in year 2012. 5) Participating in the July 2011 annual Australia and New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference in Nan Tien Temple, Sydney.
In ending the two day meeting, Venerable Abbess Manshin expressed the passionate development of everyone shown and wishes everyone has the energy from this meaningful two day activity to continue in more Buddhist activities, to value life with prosperous mind and to promote the quality of life.