Fo Guang Shan Invited to Korean Temple’s Buddha’s Birthday Celebration
On 12th May, Sunday afternoon, Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerable Juexi and Venerable Miaoyu together with 30 members of BLIA visited the Korean Buddhist Nam Kook Temple in Kumeu for Buddha’s birthday celebration. Everyone was warmly welcomed by Abbot Tong Jeng and members of the Korean temple. This visit was initiated by Abbot Tong Jeng due to the good friendship between both temples.
Upon arriving, Fo Guang Shan people recited the sutra to give blessings, bathed the Buddha and also struck the auspicious bell in the shrine. Then everyone was invited to share tea and enjoy some tradition Korean snacks. While Abbot Tong Jeng was chatting with Venerable Abbess Manshin, he mentioned that when visiting Fo Guang Shan’s head quarter in Taiwan during numerous times in the past, Abbot Tong Jeng was deeply touched by Fo Guang Shan effort in propagating the Dharma. Abbot Tong Jeng also shared with everyone on the building sketches of the proposed 15 acres of Nam Kook temple, expressing that even though there will obstacles along the way, they will make the best effort to succeed.
Venerable Abbess Manshin shared with Abbot Tong Jeng about Fo Guang Shan’s election of the new 9th Head Abbot Venerable Hsing Bao back in March, as well as Venerable Master Hsing Yun personally transmitting the Dharma to 72 49th generations Linji Chan lineage Dharma heirs, whom are also 2nd generation Fo Guang Shan lineage heirs. Abbot Tong Jeng is deeply touched by Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s continued contributions to Buddhism by passing down the lineage. Venerable Master Hsing Yun has nurtured so many new high achievers to spread Buddhism all around the globe, thus he is worthy of respect and a proud example for Buddhism as whole.
Venerable Abbess Manshin gifted Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s calligraphy couplet for 2013 and Fo Guang Shan New Zealand’s 2013 annual report to Abbot Tong Jeng. Before departing, Fo Guang Shan people sang ‘Our home is at Fo Guang Shan’ as a gift to Nam Kook temple.