Buddha's Birthday - Blessing from Various Faiths

On 21st April morning, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island New Zealand and Buddha Light International Association (BLIA) South Island New Zealand held “2012 Fo Guang Shan Buddha Birthday Celebration – Prayer for Christchurch” Honorary Participants included New Zealand Ministry of Environmental Protection Hon. Kate Wilkinson, MP Hon Ruth Dyson, Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Affairs and listed MP Melissa Lee, New Zealand Police Canterbury Superintendent Gary Knowles, Justice of Peace Mr. Ron Wright, Christchurch City council representative Jimmy Chen, Peter Beck, Dr. Judy Kirk, BLIA South Island New Zealand president See Shen Lee and BLIA North Island New Zealand President Dolly Tsai. Catholic representative Sister Bertha Hurley, Muslim representative Mr. Ibrahim Abdulhalim, Hinduism representative Dr. Sunrinder Tendon and Sri Lanka Buddhist representative Venerable Makuludeniye Somarathana attended, approximately 200 Christchurch residents attended. Honorary guest were led by FGS New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin and Venerables into the main shrine. Abbess led the participants in chanting “Heart sutra” and Venerable Master’s “Prayer for the country”. After the chanting, the honorary participants invited to bathe Buddha and shown their pious respect to Buddha.

Each religious representative took turns on stage to pray for the Christchurch public. The fusion and cooperation between the religions could be felt, and together as one they gave out their biggest blessings for the re-built of Christchurch. Minister of Ethnic Affairs Melissa Lee who spoke on behalf of inter-religious organizations claimed that her participation with Abbess Manshin at the Inter-religions Conference held in Semarang, Indonesia last month helped her to understand how the fusing between religions could bring harmony and safety to the public. The Peace and love that promoted by various religious are worth for the public to practice. She hopes today Buddha’s birthday will bring the public more motivation and confidence and hopefully restore the glories of Christchurch.

BLIA South Island president See Shen Lee gave a talk on behalf of the organization stating the practices of “Three Goods Deeds” and “five harmonious” which Venerable Master Hsing Yun had been promoting these years had brought happiness to the community. She hoped that everyone can work hard towards realizing harmony in the society and world peace. The New Zealand Minister of Environment Hon Kate Wilkinson appreciated the FGS South Island temple for giving her the opportunity to participate in this grand occasion again. Her gratitude goes to the FGS members led by Abbess Manshin, whom assisted the Christchurch residences to overcome the trauma of earthquake. Hoping that Christchurch can be re-built into a more beautiful, modern and stronger city after these challenges. She also stated that religion gives meaning to lives, and is a crucial part in one’s life.

Hon Ruth Dyson MP appreciated the blessings from all the religions, and the spiritual consultancies provided by the FGS’s humanistic Buddhism, enabling the Christchurch residences to re-built confidence after the earthquake. New Zealand Police Canterbury Superintendent Gary Knowles stated that over the past 14 months working with the people, he witnessed the cooperation between many religions and the people and therefore felt hopeful for Christchurch. He hoped that this spirit can continue to let the Christchurch residences become stronger and more determined to face their lives.

Venerable Abbess Manshin drew a close to all the blessings by religious representatives and VIPs claiming good friends are gathered here again today from all places for the annual Buddha’s Birthday Celebrations. With our own beliefs and languages, we express our blessings for peace and health for all humankind. We hope that the Buddha’s Birthday Celebrations is not just a festival for Buddhists, but also a day where all religions come together to pray. This gives us an opportunity to draw strength from our combined prayer and enable our strength to be as staunch as the mountains and as deep as the oceans. New Zealand is a multi-cultural country with many different faiths and beliefs. We can witness the exciting results of blending of Eastern and Western cultures as well as the realisation of the richness and diversity of different beliefs and faiths. Abbess attended the 2012 Asia Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue at Indonesia this year in March. From this dialogue, she clearly and more certain than ever that it is only when all religions are working hand in hand that we will be able to create more hope and happiness for everyone. Looking forward, we believe that the diversity all faiths and beliefs will bring about harmony in the community and peace to the world. Let us also pray for the people of Christchurch as well as all the people of the world. Just like the words that Venerable Master Hsing Yun has imparted to us for 2012, “Heavenly Blessings and Protection”, we pray for: Protection of our spirits so that we are no longer afraid and our lives are no longer endangered; Protection of our society so that we are always joyous and in harmony and for peace in our world.

Buddha’s Bathing Ceremony was completed in joyful atmosphere. Following on was the formal exhibition opening of “Zen Calligraphy painting” by artist Mr. Kim Hoa Tram. The artist himself demonstrated a few brush-strokes live to the audiences, and his divine level of talent was highly praised. Apart from this, FGS South Island Temple put up a stage in the central courtyard and invited 10 performance art groups and individuals to present breathtaking programs for the audiences. The audiences were especially attracted by the Japanese Drums and Shao-Lin Kung fu. The whole courtyard was filled with crowds of people. The Buddha’s Hall and Dining hall also set up Buddha’s bathing area and many held on to this annual chance for bathing the Buddha and asking for good fortune. The Baby Blessing ceremony also attracted about 50 parents and children to receive blessing and cleansing. The 2012 New Zealand FGS Buddha’s Birthday Food Stall brought in nearly thousand people, and arose energizing and joyful spirits to the quiet city of Christchurch.