2014 BLIA South Island Chinese New Year Luncheon
A Chinese New Year Reunion Luncheon was held by Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island on 25th Jan 2014 in Cloud and Water House, Christchurch. Among the many who attended the gathering were Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerable Jue Xi, BLIA South Island President Lee, Vice President Louisa Kuo, BLIA south island Advisor Sandy Liao, Advisor John Lai, Fo Guang Dharma Lecture Rona Ku, and more than 70 BLIA members. In this year end gathering, members were able to listen to the New Year Blessing Speech from Venerable Master Hsing Yun; to make new wishes for the Year of the Horse; and to pray for improvement in the learning and propagation of the Dharma in the coming Year.
The celebration commenced with playing of the recorded songs from Rhythm of the world. This was followed by video viewing of the Buddha’s Light TV (BLTV) news program on the Award of ‘Pride of Chinese-Most Influential Personality in the Cultural Domain’ to Venerable Master Hsing Yun. All those present were very touched by the deeds and life of Venerable Master Hsing Yun as told in the program. After the luncheon, members were treated to a recording of the recitation ‘Lord Buddha, where are you?’ by Venerable Miao Kwan. Members also shared their views on the recently held Seminars on ‘Buddhist Reflections on Life and Death’ with many expressing gratitude on the wise lessons they learned from FGS Vice Abbot Venerable Huei Kai, the speaker in the Seminars in which they were taught how to live a fruitful life and to face Death in the Buddhist Way.
BLIA South Island’s Director Benny recalled his experience at the opening ceremony of the Buddha Memorial Center in Kao Hsiung. The weather was extremely hot on the day of opening, and noticing the condition on venue, Venerable Master Hsing Yun instructed that each participant be provided with a bottle of drinking water and the duration of the ceremony be shortened so that the people did not have to be under the scorching Sun for long time. The compassionate and loving nature of Venerable Master Hsing Yun was greatly manifested through this paying of attention even to such minute details, and that has earned Venerable Master the love and respect of all present.
In her deliverance, Abbess Manshin expressed her view over people on their dependency on the gadgets brought about by the modern technology, to the extent that there is a breakdown of inter-personal interaction among people in close proximity. Due to the usage of these gadgets, people seem not to be able to live for the moment. They are busy sending pictures and messages to others far away but not listening or talking to people around them. Abbess Manshin stressed that this type of behavior should be discarded. People should only use their gadgets appropriately. Based on Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teaching: ‘live within affinities’, ‘Approach with peacefulness’, ‘Action with Joyous’ and ‘Keep an unrestraint consciousness’, Abbess advised the audience on how to live a good and happy life.
Before the end of the gathering, Abbess presented Auspicious Red packet and Master’s Hsing Yun calligraphic posters to those attend and hoped that all should learn more from e Master by studying his writings. Before parting, Abbess wished all present a bright and progressive New Year.