2012 Pre-ANZBYC
On July the 3rd 2012, seven members of the New Zealand young adult division left for the annual ANZBYC (Australia New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference). The 14th youth conference is held in Perth this year, with the theme of being ‘Together As One’, which promotes self-reliance, independence and self-confidence. Before leaving Auckland, Reverend Rulian gave the YADs a final briefing to remind them of their mission which is to bring back knowledge and experiences that will help them in the future.
During the transit to Perth, the YAD stopped at the Gold Coast, and took the opportunity to visit the local Currumbin Sanctuary, where we encountered the wild life of Australia. The experience at the sanctuary taught the YAD the importance of caring and the value of our environment. While at the sanctuary, two YADs were able to have the chance to hold a live snake! The encounter was absolutely frightening, but by overcoming our fears, we are able to face more challenges and achieve that much more.
When noon arrived, Grandpa Charles, the YADs’ Gold Coast tour guide, fed their hungry stomachs at a Chinese Yum Cha restaurant with delicious vegetarian meals and other various treats. Grandpa Charles expressed his loving kindness by making sure the YAD had an enjoyable and fulfilling meal, to which the YAD were touched by his big and open heart. His kindness did not stop even when they parted, by also making sure the YAD was well fed before leaving for Perth, the youths were inspired by the extent of care Grandpa Charles put into the YAD. The final leg of the journey ended at midnight in Perth, where they united with the Perth YAD.
The second day in Perth, the Auckland Young Adult Division, woke up with an excitement of energy. A temple tour was given by the Perth YAD president, Loong Lim, and the YAD was able to see the differences the Auckland temple had with Perth temple. The Perth temple was constructed in 1955 and since then it hasn’t been renovated but maintained constantly. Even though the Perth temple is small and old, it is kept in high pristine state, which shows the New Zealand YAD that we should always take care of our things and they will always be there to help us.
The Kiwi YAD also explored Perth city centre and toured their enormous museum and library. Compared to the minuscular city in Auckland or Christchurch, the YADS found out that everything in Perth were bigger, plentiful and much more convenient. This experience shows the youths that with a great and big team of people, anything is possible. Knowledge is the key, and at the museum and library, there were plenty. Because of their enormous size, the state library and museum held an abundance of knowledge to which the YAD eagerly took in.