The 5th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing 2018 kick started in FGS NZ!
The 2018 3G4G Cultural Sharing Festival kick started on 4 May, marking the 5th anniversary of this annual event.
In the morning and afternoon of 4 May, a total of over 400 students from Jean Batten Primary School (243 students aged 7-9 years old) and Sir Douglas Bader Intermediate School (185 students aged 10-12 years old) poured into the temple in several big buses, and formed a mighty formation on the Cultural Forecourt of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple New Zealand. Together with Vicky, their Teacher-in-charge of Jean Batten School, and Rachael, the Deputy Principal of Sir Douglas Bader Intermediate School and close to 40 staff and parents, the students were warmly welcomed by members of BLIA North Island, who would be their tour guides and facilitators.
The deputy president of BLIA North Island, Ms Sally, firstly explained the program and introduced the Buddhist way of greetings, which include “joining palms” and saying “auspiciousness to you”.
Shortly after, the students were divided into groups to go to Lotus Origami station, a tour on Buddha’s Birthday Special Exhibition, Learning how to bath the Buddha, tolling the Wishing Bell, 3G4G Tattoo, Mindfulness Meditation, and morning tea. The Temple was filled with a jovial atmosphere of laughter throughout the day, whilst the beautiful and virtuous messages of 3G4G were instilled into their minds and their attitude to life.
New Zealand Police officer from Manukau District, Piho and Matt Green were both educational and entertaining with their interactive activities on “Making the Right Choice”. Through role plays, children are made aware of their conscience and their temptations, and are guided to check into their own thoughts as they arise, so they can apply the principles of 3G4G in daily life.
All the students were presented with a 3G4G wind chimes and Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Dharma bookmark as memorabilia. Whenever the wind chimes sound, it will serve as a reminder to each of them to practice the Three Acts of Goodness, nurture the 3G Character, and make their life even more valuable and useful.
Vicky, the teacher-in-charge of Jean Batten School, is a frequent visitor of the temple. She was very happy to see the students enjoying the activities and learning important values, which will not benefit themselves but also those around them.
Whilst for the Deputy Principal of Sir Douglas Bader, Ms Rachel, this was the first time she has stepped into a Buddhist Temple. She was surprised at the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere of the temple, which has a calming effect on her students. She was also surprised and touched by the students’ level of engagement, thanks to the team efforts of the Fo Guang Shan Temple and the volunteers. She highly commended the festival and expressed her deep gratitude for the opportunity to participate this year.