2013 Fo Guang Shan North Island Reunion Dinner

As we are approaching the end of Agrarian calendar year, the ever popular annual Reunion Dinner was ceremoniously held at Fo Guang Shan again on 26th January. On that Dharma joy filled day, thousands of people gathering in the courtyard to celebrate in unity. Special guests in presence included local Botany MP Mr Jami-Lee Ross, Taipei Economic & Cultural Office secretary Mr Zhi Jian Zhou, Uxbridge Creative Centre Curator Emma Topping, BLIA North Island Advisor Peter Yong, BLIA South Island President Si Xian Li, BLIA North Island ex-president Mrs Ling Zhang, local artist Coral Harnett.

At 6:00pm, a congregation that’s a thousand strong gathered inside the Main Shrine to participate in a Blessing Dharma Function. Venerable Abbess Manshin led the group to chant the “Medicine Buddha Mantra”, and “Prayers to avert disasters and calamities” by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Afterwards the Abbess thanked everyone for their presence here to share and enjoy the Reunion meal. Then the Abbess presented Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s new Couplet for Year of the Snake that reads “Unwavering Advancement despite Life's Twists and Turns
Lead to the Attainment of Wisdom and Fortune.”, thus encouraging all to benevolently discover oneself and cultivate wisdom. Local MP Jami Lee Ross stood up to express gratitude toward Fo Guang Shan and all volunteer’s efforts to make this banquet happen. He emphasised that the involvement of youth made this event livelier; thus hopes that Fo Guang Shan’s “3 Good” and “4 Giving” can be promoted to the wider community. BLIA advisor Peter Young gave a speech of welcome to the dinner guests. He expressed appreciation to all Fo Guang people over the years for supporting the propagation of Buddhism and the passing down of Chinese culture, hence encouraging continued efforts for the future.

After commencing the Reunion dinner, the night’s entertainment started with a tenacious Kapa Haka performance from the Fonterra group. Then musicians from Auckland Grammar School presented the allure of Jazz with a highly skilled instrumental and vocal quartet performance. This was followed by graceful traditional Pilipino dancing and passionately cheerful Samba. Lastly youths from BLIA’s YAD performed the “Happy Auspicious Song”, which received thunderous applause from the audience. At the end all members of Fo Guang Shan successfully completed another year’s Reunion dinner by performing the “Song of Fo Guang Shan”.

Please see more photos on our facebook!