The Successful Completion of the 2021 ANZBYC Faith and Legacy of Buddhism

The ANZBYC 2021 perfectly concluded on 4th July 2021. It was the first time that ANZBYC was organised online since it was founded in 1997. Director of BLIA World Headquarters, Mr Zhaoming Liu, Vice Secretary of World Headquarters Oceania Region Venerable Chief Abbess Manko, Venerable Abbess Manshin of New Zealand, the representative guiding venerables and more than 200 Oceania youths attended the closing ceremony. Under the guidance of Venerable Rulian and the President of BLIA North Island Chapter, Mr Lintao Yu, more than 30 BLIA members and BLIA YADs participated in the closing ceremony at FGS Auckland.

Before the conference, Deputy President of BLIA Auckland YAD 1 Yao Chang led the team to do dining service for the Weekly Dharma Function despite the intensive schedule. Additionally, during the short breaks between the sessions, the YADs utilised precious time to help the Temple with room cleaning, dishwashing, and kitchen cleaning. The YAD learned from practices such as serving the public by providing a clean and tidy dining hall as well as delicious vegetarian food for them. By being humble and paying attention to details during the serving are one of the few ways to present the spirit of Buddhism.

Abbess Manshin led a workshop with the title Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Aspiration to Young Adults. Each state was assigned to read a topic of the article title The Path to Establishing Buddhist Youth Success. The topics are Spend time with diligence, Enrich Oneself through Hardship, Cultivate Moral Values from Forbearance, Living by Following the Conditions Given, Obtaining Joy from Giving and Enhance Aspiration through Faith and Vow. Through the discussion, Abbess encouraged the young people to live a valuable life with Venerable Master Hsing Yun words of wisdom Enduring Hardship to build a better future. Every life is precious; therefore we should cherish every chance to learn Buddhism in order to be a person with ambition and aspiration. The success of today’s conference is because of the collaboration of many prestigious speakers.

The Director of BLIA World Headquarters, Mr Zhaoming Liu, gave a speech for the youth in the closing ceremony, encouraging them not to be afraid of challenges and to have the confidence to overcome difficulties in life with faith. Chief Abbess Manko, Vice Secretary of World Headquarters Oceania Region, mentioned that “Buddhist youth should have faith in their hearts and pass on to the next generation, so all can enjoy a better world in the future. The Temple is always welcoming and open for young people. Buddha’s wisdom is the lighthouse which guides the Way in life, and all the BLIA members are our support.”

Muyang Wang, the President of BLIA Auckland YAD 1, shared that his heart moves closer to the Buddha every time he listens to the stories of Venerable Master. He was grateful for every chance he earned during serving and Dharma learning in such a peaceful and comfortable temple. The solemness and wisdom of the Venerables in the FGS Buddhist Temple strengthen the Faith in his life. Venerable Master and FGS Buddhist Temple brightened up his world. He appreciates the opportunity and vows to learn and practice Humanistic Buddhism at all time.

The committee member of BLIA Auckland YAD 1, Sean Chua, mentioned that the one quote that struck him the most from the session in ANZBYC is by Venerable Master “I don’t dream, I make it a reality”. It highlighted the fact to us that vows are not just having hope or having a goal, it is an action. We can strengthen our aspiration by following the right faith and making great vows.

“The Buddha followed a life of extreme asceticism for six years before achieving Enlightenment”. Carol Lai shared that Abbess Manshin often encouraged the youth to enrich themselves through hardship. Through volunteering in the temple, she realised that patience and diligence are the reasons behind the joy of dedication. Carol believed that as long as she follows the footsteps of the temple, she can be a valuable person by practising 3G4G proposed by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

BLIA Auckland YAD 3 member Howard Wang is only 12 years old, but he always volunteers to help the Temple whenever needed. He shared that he learned a lot of things during ANZBYC. The most important thing is that you have to learn from your everyday life, and you have to learn to be happy when enduring hardships and try to be yourself, and not worry about what others think.

The 23-year history of the conference has spanned several generations of young Buddhists in Australia and New Zealand. The seeds of Bodhi have been sown all over the heart, testifying to the Faith and legacy. After the conference, the YADs from FGS Auckland thanked the team of FGS and the BLIA members for the comfortable space and the refreshments provided during the conference. They made a vow to continue to serve in the future and pass on the Faith around the world through practical actions.