The Chinese Reunion Dinner on 14th January 2012

“ I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~by Ruth Stout”

Every year the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Buddhist Temple hosts a ‘Reunion Dinner’ prior to Chinese New year, was set in the beautiful Zen garden in the temple courtyard. With the increasing awareness about the temple, it has attracted both local and Chinese to participate the ‘Reunion Dinner’ to enjoy the unique cultural experience and the evening culminates with entertainment.

FGS volunteer-warriors, range from 8 to 70 years old, help to setup tables and chairs, marquees, sound system, posters and many others. The food preparation began 2 days ago; however, many others helped in garden and cleansed the temple premises, few weeks ago. The performers from Fonterra social group and SMB Dance School were there on 13th January for rehearsal, so to present the best to the audiences.

The Dharma service commenced at 6pm, at the main shrine, Abbess Man-Shin and the Venerable led Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland (TECO),Director-General Mr and Mrs Ding, and staffs and the members of public; in chanting the Medicine Buddha sutra and reading the script “The Prayer for good fortunate”. Abbess Man-Shin then gave speech on the opening of Buddha Memorial Hall ceremony, she encourage all lay buddhist should pay homeage at least once in their lifetime. The magnificent building has reflected the Buddha great compassion, wisdom, positive thinking, kind action and thoughts; she encouraged everyone should come to temple more often to revive oneself, hence to be able to advance further.

Secondly, TECO, Mr Ding gave his speech; he felt home when he comes to FGS temple and embrace the good energy from the temple. He will continue tried his best to provide his service to the citizen of Taiwan, and he hope for world peace.

The entertaintments were performed during the course of vegeterian dinner; firstly, the Fonterra present kapahaka and haka, there were 2 groups from Auckland Grammar School, the Mulan Association - Chinese Dance, SMB Dance School performed Modern Dance and last but not least the show was ended with solo by Fondie Lam, the Chinese New Year song.

The success of an event has its many contributing factors, where the law of Cause, Condition and its Effect applied. The “ Reunion dinner” is the Cause, the Condition is the making of different factors: like the temple, the Sangha, fund, the volunteers, the participants, the performers, and the main thing is the weather. The Effect is everyone enjoys and felt blissful for the coming Dragon year with "Heavenly Blessing and Protection" .