2012 NZ BLIA’s Trip to Terrace Down

On 7th of July, the fellow members of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) from north and south island headed to Terrace Down resort near Mount Hutt after enjoying a sumptuous meal at the Water Drop Café. The organizing committee had prepared ample activities including a brief introduction to Mount Hutt, quiz and singing led by abbess and venerable. The bus driver actively participated and shared the joy with them as well.

The members were stunned and dumbfounded upon reaching the destination as the sceneries were breathtaking and beyond descriptions. They were amazed at how Christchurch was still able to preserve its beauty after the February earthquake.

At about 3pm, all the members got together and started playing games. They were divided into 4 groups and participated in all the activities designed by the committee. Afterwards, each group came out with their unique group performance and presented it for everyone else. The performances were splendid and funny and all members spent the afternoon in laughter. Venerable Abbess Manshin led the members to sing a few songs and shared a few words of wisdom with them before dinner.

Next day in the morning, the members had their breakfast at the Club House. The food was delicious and the sceneries were absolutely stunning. Everyone agreed that seeing the sunrise at Mount Hutt is an opportunity of a lifetime that can’t be missed.

In the afternoon, the members left Terrace Down and headed to Darfield. They were very fortunate because they were invited by a lovely couple who were friends of Fo Guang Yuan Art’s Gallery New Zealand Gallery 2 to tour around their farm. They were named “the walnut couple” as they always send walnuts to the temple. The members had the honor to visit their house and to admire the art pieces they have collected. The morning tea prepared for the members was a pleasant surprise and very heartwarming indeed. The abbess thanked the couple for their hospitality and invited the two of them to visit the temple in Auckland when there is a chance.

The trip to Mount Hutt which lasted 2 days ended successfully after the visit to Darfield. Every member had enjoyed the trip and hopefully learnt something from it.