The 8th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing_Session 15 & 16 Full Support from Four Police Officers
The 15th and 16th sessions of the 8th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing education program were held on 18th May 2022. In the morning, around 180 students from Year 0 to 8 of Glen Innes School with 20 teachers and parents, took 4 buses to Fo Guang Shan Auckland. In the afternoon, a total of 110 students from Year 5 to 6 of Dawson Primary School, accompanied by 13 teachers and parents, participated in the festival for the first time.
Various activities were arranged for students in different age group, such as making lotus flowers origami, writing Chinese calligraphy, striking the wishing bell, watching the 'Life of Buddha' movie, writing wishing cards, visiting the Pagoda, learning incense offering and mindfulness meditation. The New Zealand Police sent four police officers, Senior Constable Matt Green, Constable Tai, Constable Greta, and Constable Paul Zhao, to interact with the students. During the refreshment time, a male student who enjoyed 7 bowls of Laba Rice repeatedly praised, "The purple potatoes are so delicious and they taste like chocolate!"
Glen Innes School has joined the festival for four consecutive years. One teacher said that the students' social circles are relatively simple so they rarely have the chance to get access to and understand different cultures. They appreciate the Temple for organising the 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing every year, which gives the students opportunities to experience the cultural diversity and learn the concept of Three Goodness & Four Givings. They also expressed their gratitude to the team for their efforts in designing activities suitable for all ages. This journey is very precious to them, especially seeing the concentration of the students who are usually lively and active when writing calligraphy, which really surprised the teachers.
Principal Jonathan Hendricks is a good friend of the Temple. Although he did visit the Temple with the students this year, he specially conveys his thanks to the Temple for their continuous care for the school.
It was the first time for Dawson Primary School to participate in the program. The Temple formed ties with the school in March when the Temple donated RAT kits to the school. Once the teacher knew about the 3G4G Festival, the school registered immediately. For almost all of the teachers and students it was their first time entering the Temple, and The students were very engaging during the activity at each station.
A Māori parent who lives in Clover Park shared that they often pass by the Temple, but wonder whether they can visit. Today, she asked for leave to attend this festival with her son. She enjoyed the serenity atmosphere of the Temple very much. The whole education program was arranged smoothly and meaningful. Her child was very happy and said that they would definitely come to the Temple more often in the future.