Remembering The NZ Christchurch two Year earthquakes

On February 22nd there was a memorial service to remember the people that were lost in the 222 earthquake two years ago. The service took place at Christchurch Latimer Square at noon. The service was held by Christchurch City Council and Christchurch Catholic and Christian society. Buddha Light International Association (BLIA) is one of the interfaith societies. BLIA was invited by the organiser to give a prayer with the other interfaith societies
In attendance on the day there was the New Zealand Prime Minister Hon John Key, New Zealand Christchurch Earthquake Reconstruction Minister Hon Gerry Brownlee, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Hon Minoru Kiuchi, members of parliament and Christchurch City Council representatives and the victims’ family. BLIA president See Shen Lee and ten BLIA members participated. There were approximately 500 people at the venue on the day. The memorial service was continued throughout the whole Christchurch area.
The service began with a thank you speech from the Maori Chief Ngai Tuahuriri thanking everyone for attending and he gave a prayer in Maori. The Mayor of Christchurch thanked all the people for taking part and he announced that although many lives were lost. During the reconstruction, Christchurch’s civilians became very close and helpful towards each other and they are more appreciative of their lives than before. The Mayor also said that today is the rebirth of Christchurch City therefore it is a very special memorial day.
The Reverend of Christchurch Cathedral Venerable Lynda Patterson said that today’s prayers were conducted in the traditional Christian praying method. She stated that everyone regardless of a different religion can come together and pray. St John Ambulance rescue crew came out and participated in the praying.
The New Zealand Prime Minister Hon John Key announced that although the earthquake trauma still remains the government and the National Party will continue to assist Christchurch with reconstruction. The Prime Minister hoped and wished that the civilians to be patient and remain strong so that after the reconstruction is complete Christchurch will be lively again and that people would want to live in Christchurch.
The organiser invited the Christchurch Interfaith Society to come up the stage to read the “Act of Remembrance” together to the audiences that were there on the day. The Interfaith Society consisted of Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism. Each religion gave a prayer. South Island Buddha Light representatives went up to represent Buddhist Society and encouraged hope to everyone living in Christchurch and to have a strong heart. The organiser invited the Prime Minister, Mayor and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the front line rescue crews to offer flowers at the front of the Memorial Tomb in Latimer Square. At 12:51pm Pastor Christopher Fril led the public in observing a minute of silence and ended the ceremony in a peaceful and warm atmosphere.

Through experiencing the second anniversary of the earthquake .New Zealand South Island Buddhist People are committed to Christchurch in providing spiritual counselling and assistance, also are witnessing the rebuilding of Christchurch, and hoping everyone living in Christchurch can be like what Grand Master Hsing Yun wrote for this year’s calligraphy “Unwavering Advancement despite Life’s Twists and Turns Leads to the Attainment of Happiness and Wisdom”