Winter Buffet at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Auckland Brighten Up the Beauty of Life

On June 26, 2021, Fo Guang Yuan (FGY) Art Gallery Auckland held the Winter Buffet and attracted more than 150 FGY friends and people from all walks of life to participate. The Temple prepared a wide variety of delicious vegetarian feast and arranged various activities such as Art Tour of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s One Stroke Calligraphy Exhibition and Prof Yen-Chiao KUO’s Traditional Chinese Painting Exhibition and performance by BLIA Young Adult Division (YAD).

Abbess Manshin, curator of FGY New Zealand shared to the participants that the teaching of Humanistic Buddhism is a way of life which brings happiness and peace to everyone. Today we were blessed to be gather here to enjoy the serene atmosphere and the beauty of life. Abbess hopes that everyone has the strength to deliver positive energy of kindness and virtuous to the society, to make New Zealand a harmonious, beautiful and quality country.

The staff of FGY Gallery Auckland Vicky and Winnie led the art tour of One Stroke Calligraphy World Touring Exhibition and Traditional Chinese Painting Exhibition. Vicky explained the reason of Venerable Master Hsing Yun began to write at the age of 70 was to give others joy. With that in mind, Venerable Master continued to write after underdoing brain surgery five years ago despite the blur vision and shaking hands. The audiences were deeply inspired by the determination and perseverance of Venerable Master, and his great compassion to the public.

At the Prof Yen-Chiao KUO’s Traditional Chinese Painting Exhibition, the life of Professor Kuo and painting techniques has been introduced extensively. Local visitors listened carefully and curiously asked what type of pens and paper were used in the work and which paintings were created when the artist lived in Christchurch. When introduced the art piece Wood Cutter Going Home, they were impressed with the artist's exquisite brushwork after hearing that the works were created with chopsticks. It was incredible that he could complete such a delicate painting.

Many participants shared their photos on social media. They thanked Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland for preparing delicious and nutritious vegetarian buffet, which was full of surprises by combining art with vegetarian food in a novel way. They gained a special experience and look forward to participating in such events again in the future.