Speech by Abbess Manshin in 2021 Buddha’s Birthday Multicultural Festival for World Peace
Good morning distinguished guests. A very auspicious Buddha’s Birthday to everyone.
It is with utmost blessings that we are able to gather here today to celebrate the Buddha’s Birthday when there are many countries and cities around the world still under lockdowns and practising strict social distancing. From the perspective of Buddhism, the actions taken by New Zealanders during this period has led to the fulfilment of the cultivation of compassion and precepts.
As civilization develops and progresses, equality and peace are what everyone dreams and strives for. The dignity of human comes from mutual respect and love; love and respect for others comes from shared trust and reliance. Many years ago, Venerable Master Hsing Yun put forward the concept of where there is equality, there is respect; where there is peace, there is glory with four view points that I would like to share with you at this special occasion:
- Equality requires mutual respect for one another
- Equality depends on the ability to understand each other’s perspectives
- Equality arises from causes and conditions
- Equality underlies that there is no difference between one and many
Real equality is based on the large respecting the small, the majority respecting the minority, the strong respecting the weak, and the rich respecting the poor. Respect is the foundation and approach for progress in equality. We are very grateful that there are many different races and nations in this world who interact well with one another. We are thankful for the many religions which provide a home for the human spirit and a resting-place.
The Buddha has said that everyone has similar Buddha nature and all of us have the potential to strive for this wisdom and merits. Respect, co-operation and support for one another is something we should continue to advance.
On this day, I sincerely pray for harmony, happiness and perfection for you and your family.
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha.