Visit of Students from St Thomas of Canterbury College

One hundred grade 12 students from St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch, visited FGS Christchurch on August 23. Under the arrangement of Stephen Kennedy, Director of the school's Religious Studies Department, and teacher Aiden Baker, the students specially come to the Temple for a religious study tour to learn about the Three Act of Goodness and Four Givings values.

During the visit, Venerable Nengchang led the students on a Temple tour, and Kokwei Low, the committee of BLIA South Island engaged the students in a sitting meditation session and watched The Life of the Buddha movie. That morning, the students had also participated in the VEGRUN (Veg-revival Virtual Community Run), which is a BLIA World Headquarters Charitable Project and organized by BLIA South Island on the school's campus. The visiting teachers and students have expressed that it was indeed a rare opportunity to have come and understand the connection between the Temple and the community, and meanwhile to expand their knowledge at the Art Gallery.

Student Daniel Jasper shared his thoughts: I didn’t expect there to be such a solemn Buddhist temple in the community. I hope to have the opportunity to come back with my family and friends in the near future. Student Roy commented: I have learned a lot about how to behave and to do things from the life story of the Buddha. The inspirations will help us become better human beings.

All the visiting teachers and students happily received the 3G4G bookmarks and pencils prepared by the Temple, and they bade farewell to the Temple staff with the lotus finger gestures which they have just learned during their visit. The group thanked the Temple team for their warm hospitality, and appreciated Venerable Master Hsing Yun for building such a solemn Temple for the Christchurch communities, so that it may become their spiritual home.