Visit of Vietnamese Students of Canterbury Aviation Academy to Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island
On 3rd September 2020, 7 Vietnamese students from Canterbury Aviation Academy visited Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island and were welcomed on arrival by Venerable Abbess Manshin, Venerable Jue Xi, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island Director Kok Wei Low and Fo Guang Yuan (FGY) Art Gallery Christchurch Coordinator Ryan Wang. These students are Buddhists devotee whom been visiting FGS Temple frequently to pray for safety in their flying lessons.
Afterwards, the visitors toured Professor Kuo’s Traditional Chinese Painting Exhibition and Abbess Manshin’s Floral Arrangement Exhibition. They were attended to by Professor Kuo’s daughter, Louisa. The visitors remarked that Professor Kuo’s paintings made them feel as if they were looking at sceneries while flying their planes. The clean and tranquil sights depicted in the paintings brought to them images of villages in their homeland, Vietnam, which made them homesick; whereas, Abbess Manshin’s floral works made them feel tranquil and peaceful.
The visitors remarked that, apart from their flying school, FGS Temple South Island is the place they long to visit most, for it is the place where they can find spiritual comfort and support. The artistic ambience of the Temple is different from the solemn atmosphere of most other traditional temples. They feel very relaxed here. The number of students visiting FGS Temple South Island has in fact increased from the initial 2 to the present 8, reflecting the trust and affirmation they place in FGS Temple.