The Opening Ceremony for the 16th ANZBYC – the Environmental and Spiritual Preservation.

ANZBYC is a yearly event, last time NZ FGS organized the 12th ANZBYC was in 2008. 5 years later, the NZ North Island YAD hosted it.
The opening ceremony was commenced with the presence of Venerable Abbess ManShin, other Venerables, North island BLIA president Dolly Tsai, South island BLIA president Lee See Xian, the MP of the Botany county, Jami-Lee Ross, the Manukau Counties District Commander John Tims, Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Inspector Wendy Spiller, Inspector Julia Lynch, Senior Sergeant Mike Fulcher, Senior Constable Adele White, Asian Liaison Officer Justin Zeng, members of BLIA ; approximately 200 attendances.
The NZ FGS Youth performed a Maori Haka “Harae Mai”, to demonstrate the youth’s passion for life and their energy. The MC will introduce the history and the purpose for this youth conference. The main theme for this 16th ANZBYC is the Environmental and Spiritual Preservation, the words of wisdom from the Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order. Therefore, the practice of the Three Good Deeds, Four Gives and Five Pentagon of Harmony through the Buddha’s teachings to enhance the value of life.
Firstly, the speech was given by the YAD 1 and YAD 2 leader, Tina and Annjo; respectively. They expressed their gratitude for Venerable Abbess, the police commissioner and the police officers, the member of the BLIA members for their generosity in both the monetary, time and hard work for this ANZBYC to happen. Also, the former leaders are always happy to share their experience and resources.
Nevertheless, the YAD members have many sleepless nights to make this event happen. They have to manage their both school exams and other extra curriculums.
Then the speech made by the Manukau Counties Police District Commander John Timms. He greeted the audience with Maori words. John acknowledges the work and values contribute by the Fo Guang Shan temple to the community. The preventive measure is always the main priority of the police force; he sees the positive result through this measure. He gave a few words of advice to the youth, is about good decision making will determine their future; and will create a better community. He urged the youth don’t make friends who will cause negative impact. John will definitely write an article about 3G4G in the weekly police circular.
Thirdly, the MP of Botany County, Jami Lee Ross gave his speech. He is pleased to see the Maori print scarf around the shoulder of the young participants. He mentioned Fo Guang Shan NZ is the landmark of the Manukau counties, where there are good nature, good spirit and the Venerable Master Hsin Yun’s wisdom. Jami Lee further mention, he works closely with the PM, the mayor of the city, none of these people has receive such a warm welcome like our Venerable Abbess ManShin. She is a rock star. He then addressed the effort of the hardworking police officers and their dedication. As the result speaks for themselves with the reduce crime rates. The young people is always eager to learn and will be the future of the community and the country. Jami-Lee is looking forward to host an hour talk on Monday, 15th July. He wishes the young had a good meaningful weekend by attending the ANZBYC.
Thereafter, a speech made by MS Dolly Tsai, the NZ BLIA North island president. It is her great pleasure to see the young has matured within the strong time frame, under the guidance of the Venerable Abbess ManShin. The NZ YAD is only 10 years old, as compared to the other YAD group worldwide. The percentage of Buddhist among the NZ population of 4 millions is small. However, we enhance our value of life by practicing of the core value the Humanistic Buddhism.
Lastly, the Venerable Abbess ManShin gave her speech. She was grateful to see the attendance of the distinguished guests. Venerable Abbess ManShin mention one of the core values of the Fo Guang Shan NZ is to propagate the Humanistic Buddhism since it was established in 1965. Last year, NZ Fo Guang Shan NZ was awarded as one of the NZ Superbrand; hence this further confirmed the contribution of the temple by the community. Venerable Abbess ManShin further added on, if Fo Guang Shan NZ is the superbrand of the people, then the police force is the superbrand of the community. Thus, with both joined forces, it will create the super band of life.
The opening ceremony ended with the song “3G4G” with the hand action, sang by the participants.
The theme for 15th ANZBYC is “Together as One” , to advocate the youth on the integration to the society. The theme for this year is “ the Environment and Spiritual Preservation”. The end of the opening ceremony is only the beginning of the 4days 3 nights conference. Thereafter, there will be a class about the 3 acts of Goodness and 4 types of Gives shortly.