The Case of a Gardener Reliving the Memory of the FGS Venerables Practicing Buddhism Hymn
On 3rd May 2022, Ben Lay, a gardener at Mona Vale in Christchurch, and 3 friends came to Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Christchurch’s Water Drop Cafe for lunch. There, Ben happened to meet Venerable Manshin, the Abbess of FGS New Zealand, and he immediately remembered the 2019 scene of many Venerables from FGS practicing Buddhism Hymn at Mona Vale Homestead. The vast line-up still remained impressive to this day.
Afterwards, Abbess Manshin played the video of the Venerables practicing singing at Mona Vale Homestead for Ben and his friends to watch, which allowed Ben to relive the emotion at that time. There was a shooting incident in Christchurch on March 15, 2019. In order to promote love and peace, FGS New Zealand and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) New Zealand organized the "Embracing Love and Peace – Blessing for Christchurch” event at Aurora Centre in Christchurch on 2nd November of the same year. Local politicians and people from various religious organisations, schools, and art circles attended the event. The audience that evening gathered their good thoughts together to pray for Christchurch. The presentations of the evening included the performing of Buddhism Hymn on stage by 18 Venerables from FGS Australia and New Zealand.
Before the event, the Venerables of FGS Australia and New Zealand went to the Mona Valley Homestead near the FGS Temple Christchurch to practice singing. Ben, who was taking care of the plants at that time, heard the beautiful sound of the Sanskrit chant, and immediately asked all the gardeners in the garden to put down their work and listen to the chanting, as a show of respect for the Venerables and the activity. At that time, New Zealand was in the spring and flowering season. Under the blue sky and sunny weather, the Venerables sang the mantra with a solemn appearance and a crisp singing voice on the green river bank. The gardeners present were captivated and moved by the peaceful scenario.
At the Water Drop Café, Abbess Manshin introduced FGS's concept of "Humanistic Buddhism" to Ben and his friends, and presented the "BLIA New Zealand Activities Report" to explain the activities held by FGS North and South islands in the past year. Ben and his friends were moved by the kindness of FGS and BLIA in serving the community, and expressed that they must give support in the future.
After their meals, Ben and his friends visited all corners of the Temple, including the "Songs for Remembrance Exhibition" at the Art Gallery, and were delighted with the solemnity and tranquillity of the Temple. This was their first visit to the Temple, and they had gained a lot. They promised to bring their families and friends to the Temple in the future to experience the truthfulness, goodness and beauty of “Humanistic Buddhism”.
More than two years ago, the karmic relationship between the gardener and Buddhism was created through the karmic incident of the Venerables practicing Buddhism Hymn. This Bodhi seed would be deeply planted in the gardener's heart for generations to come.