Celebrating Chinese New Year with FGS South Island

Though away from home, the many Overseas Chinese in Christchurch were able to celebrate the auspicious Chinese New Year with joy. This was made possible by Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island who organized a Chinese New Year Open House for them to offer prayer to Lord Buddha in the Cloud and Water House, Christchurch on the first day of Chinese New Year. In the Open House, the devotees were treated to light refreshment and had the ‘Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Wisdom Word’ they picked interpreted by Venerable Jue Xi. In the morning of the second day of the Chinese New Year, a ‘Thousand Buddha Dharma Recitation’ was organized in the Cloud and Water House. The congregation, made up of Buddha Light Island Association (BLIA) South Island President Lee, Vice President Louisa Kuo, BLIA South Island Advisor Sandy Liao and 60 odd BLIA members, was led in the chanting session by Venerable Abbess Manshin and assisted by Venerable Jue Xi.

Because the FGS South Island Temple was still under repair due to the 2011 earthquake, members of BLIA South Island specially treasured the opportunity to take part in the chanting session at Cloud and Water House. During the chanting session, many members were moved to tears when they reflected on the efforts by Abbess Manshin and Venerable Jue Xi, Venerable under such difficult circumstances, to propagate the Dharma. After the dharma session, there was a recital on the article written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, namely ‘Talking About Noble Steed In The Year Of The Horse’. In the article, Venerable Master Hsing Yun explained the significance of the Year of Horse and the Spirit depicted by Horse.

In her deliverance, Abbess compared four kinds of human characters to four types of horses. She emphasized the importance of utilizing ‘Dharma’ to solve day-to-day problems. Venerable Abbess urged members to practice Patience and Compassion; to accept not only Praises but also Criticisms. She talked about Right Thinking, Right Action and Right Livelihood to acquire Wealth. Lastly, Abbess emphasized that the Highest Virtue is Compassion and the Biggest Wealth is Wisdom.