Visit of Cancer Society of New Zealand to FGS South Island
On 22nd March 2018, 10 members of Canterbury-West Coast of Cancer Society of New Zealand, visited Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island. On hand to welcome the visitors were FGS South Island minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi, Fo Guang Yuan (FGY) Art Gallery Christchurch Gallery coordinator Vicky Han and members of BLIA South Island.
Vicky first introduced to the visitors the design concept behind the FGS South Island Temple building, specially the unique modern design of the frontal external wall which took its idea from the ancient ‘Longman Grottoes’. The Temple building was constructed using Architectural fair-faced concrete. The simple lines and forms of the building indeed reflect the simple mindedness of Buddhist practitioners. Vicky next brought the visitors to the FGY Art Gallery Christchurch where the ‘Wood-Firing Ceramics Exhibition’ by Artist Huang Da An is being held. On display are more than 170 ceramics art pieces which were produced by artist Huang in a 16 year period. Huang had insisted using the wood-firing method in the baking of all his works and this has resulted in distinctive unpredictable colour, pattern, bubbles and texture to the glaze of each individual ceramic piece. Afterwards, the visitors toured the ‘Creating a World of Passion’ Comic Exhibition by artist Yi Yin Feng, and the ‘Walking like Smoke’ Oil Painting Exhibition by artist Gail Batchelor. Members of the Cancer Society commented that from the exhibition by Yi Yin Feng they had gain a glimpse into the life of the Chinese people in the early 20th century era. They felt as if they were there and then with the people to share in their simple and uncomplicated life.
Before their departure, on behalf of FGS South Island, Vicky presented the visitors with Mantra. with the hope that it would bring courage and positivity to the cancer patients. Frankie Roake, on behalf of the visitors, thanked FGS for their hospitality and promised to recommend their friends to visit the Temple.