The Police Remembrance Day
Venerable Abbess Manshin, the Abbess of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand was invited to join the “2011 Australasian and South Pacific Police Remembrance Day Service”, that is being held at The Royal New Zealand Police College on 29 September 2011 in Wellington to honour and say prayers to the Police Officers who have passed away in the line of duty. On the day, 600 dignified guests that attended include were New Zealand Minister of Police, Hon Judith Collins, Commissioner, Peter Marshall, Deputy Commissioner, Viv Rickard and Mike Bush, Chairperson of the Police Chaplains’ Advisory Council, Mosignor David Bennett, former fire service chief executive and police officer Maurie Cummings, Rev Carol l Grant JP, Father Peter Head and other head religions, police commissioners, representatives of the High Commissions, police officers and their families members. Besides Venerable Abbess Manshin, Temple Supervisors Venerable Manwang and Venerable Juexi respectively from FGS North and South Island NZ, Venerable J Hao, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) North Island President Dolly Tsai and BLIA South Island Up-coming President See-Shen Lee also attended.
The Remembrance Day was officiated by religious leader Padre David R Dell by welcoming the guests, singing the national anthem, raising the flag and so on. It then continued with speeches and prayers from the minister, commissioner, religious leaders and others to honour the memory of those police officers slain while carrying out their police duties in these 125 years especially to those who passed away in these 12 months. Touching Maori songs and poetries were sung, flowers were offered to the deceased in this solemn ceremony.
Venerable Abbess Manshin of FGS New Zealand which also represented the Interfaith read out a “Prayer for the Police Officers” that is written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun in this memorial service. The prayer not only healed the pain in the mind of the public, but has also comforted of the Police Officers soul. The Abbess was then being gratefully thanked with the special contents of the prayer.
After the service, Venerable Abbess Manshin, Police Commissioner, Peter Marshall, Padre David R Dell, Superintendent, Wallace Haumaha and others had a conversation. They gratefully thanked FGS and BLIA in attending this service and discussed future activities organized by FGS in the North Island. This Police Remembrance Day did not only give memory to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our society, but also gave honour and pride to FGS and BLIA members.