Post Lockdown Thanksgiving Tea Party at FGS South Island

After 2 months Lockdown, New Zealand Government finally relaxed the restriction on the number of people allowed in a public gathering to 100 people. To re-ignite the enthusiasm of its members, on 6th June 2020, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island organised its first post Lockdown activity ‘FGS South Island Thanksgiving Tea Party’ to thank Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi for her efforts in organising various Dharma classes, Prayer Sessions and Dharma Courses for BLIA members during the Lockdown.

This tea party was planned by BLIA South Island Committee Members under the leadership of its President Bernie. FGS New Zealand Abbess Venerable Manshin and FGS South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi were invited as guests of honour. More than 40 BLIA members attended the party. The day the tea party was held, with a temperature of 2-3 degree Celsius, was New Zealand’s coldest day since it entered winter. On top of that, it was raining cats and dogs. Despite the severity of the weather, BLIA members turned out in full force to make the party a warm and memorable one.

The party started with Venerable Abbess leading the congregation in prayer and sutra chanting. This was followed by the reading of Master Hsing Yun’s Prayer for Safety from the COVID-19 Outbreak. In his speech, BLIA South Island President Bernie thanked Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi for leading BLIA South Island members, during the Lockdown, in carrying out many meaningful activities, including participating in Online Buddhism Courses and Painting of Guanyin Bodhisattva Portraits. Bernie also expressed his gratitude to FGS Headquarters Kaohsiung for arranging online activities, such as, Qing Ming Dharma function, Buddha bathing, Sutra transcription, so that BLIA members in every corner of the World could participate simultaneously in these meaningful activities. Bernie pointed out that, irrespective of whichever activity, Venerable Jue Xi would work seamlessly with BLIA members in an esprit de corps spirit to ensure its success. BLIA South Island Vice President James commented that the pandemic made us feel the impermanent and unpredictable nature of all phenomena. Because of the Lockdown, devotees were unable to come to the Temple for praying, and BLIA members were not able to conduct their prayer and services here. BLIA members should therefore treasure their good blessings and visit the Temple more often now that the Lockdown has been lifted.

Afterwards, members of BLIA South Island took turn to share with the congregation their interactions with, and feelings towards, Venerable Jue Xi during the Lockdown. The speakers included BLIA South Island Secretary Forest Lin, 1st Subchapter President Louisa Kuo, 2nd Subchapter President Cao Qian, Directors Tracy Chen and Kok-Wei Low, Young Adults Division (YAD) President Apple Ma, BLIA South Island members Zhang Dong, Annie Chiang, Xiao Yun and Juin Mei. They thanked Venerable Jue Xi for organising the colourful list of activities that made each day of the Lockdown meaningful and productive. They all concurred that they benefited the most from the online Dharma Courses and promised to put into practice what they had learnt from these Courses. As for those who had participated in the preparation of FGS vegetarian food, they were astonished by the tremendous strength accumulated working under the spirit of esprit de corps that finally produced an unbelievably large quantity of quality food.

In her speech, Venerable Jue Xi said that she was happy to see BLIA members gather together today under one roof after more than 2 months of separation due to the Lockdown. She was glad that participating BLIA members had benefited and grown to be better persons from the Dharma Classes conducted either online or in the Temple building during the Lockdown. Venerable Jue Xi thanked BLIA President and BLIA members for having her and Temple residents in their hearts, and for the continuous supply of food during the Lockdown. This had enabled them to continue with organising the activities without undue worries. Venerable Jue Xi reminded BLIA members that the Temple is their Wisdom Home and they should come back often to take part in its activities and to be close to the Dharma, so that they may achieve the teachings and objectives of FGS.

In her address to the congregation, Venerable Abbess Manshin pointed out that members of BLIA North and South Islands were more diligent and hardworking during the Lockdown than during the normal times. They not only pursued their Dharma cultivation at home but also thought of ways to serve the local communities. Such thinking and behaviour truly reflected the spirits and values promoted by Humanistic Buddhism. Venerable Abbess then took the opportunity to stress the importance of the participation of each and every BLIA member in the activity of FGS so that collectively they can contribute towards helping FGS leave an imprint in the history of Mankind. As members of FGS family, to reinforce people’s confidence in FGS and BLIA, we should always demonstrate to people the unique characters of Humanistic Buddhism, namely: willing to shoulder responsibility, possess clear directions, willing to work hard, learned and knowledgeable, active and lively and, always cheerful and joyful.

After her speech, Venerable Abbess presented each participant with the book 2020 BLIA New Zealand Activities Report and encouraged members to enthusiastically take part in FGS’s activities. At the party, the participants were treated to delicious delicacies and were shown video presentations of the various activities carried out in FGS Temples North and South Islands during the Lockdown.

For the record, during the Lockdown, FGS Temple South Island had carried out a more than 100 morning and evening Classes for its Temple Residents, 41 Online Dharma Courses, and 80 Paintings of Guanyin Bodhisattva Portrait. Besides, FGS South Island had made and sold 6000 vegetarian buns and steamed breads. All these achievements really reflected the dedication of Venerable, for which BLIA members were deeply touched.