2010 blia volunteers activities report

Skillful Wisdom and Enlightened Mind Venerable Master Hsing Yun

A life with joined palms

1The setting sun teaches impermanenceClouds teach changeMountains teach grandeurOceans teach infinity

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Spiritual PreservationEnvironmental AND

VENERABLE MASTER HSING YUNFOUNDER OF FO GUANG SHAN BUDDHIST ORDER

6From as early as Buddhas

time, the words and conduct of

Sakyamuni Buddha and various

great bodhisattvas all show that

Buddhism is a religion with deep

awareness for environmental

preservation. It has been said

that the 21st century is an era

of environmentalism, while

there is no doubt that we

should strive to eliminate the

dusts in our inner world and

change them, we must also raise

peoples awareness and take

action to preserve the external

environment, Founder Of Fo

Guang Shan Buddhist Order

Venerable Master Hsing Yun

expressed on 4 September, days

before the Enviromental and

Spiritual Preservation speech

given at the BLIA General

Conference.

In the speech, Venerable Master

Hsing Yun gave an important line,

Just as we get sick physically, the

earth is sick too. When people are

sick, they need to be treated and

saved. When the earth is sick, it

also needs everyone to care for it

and save it. To save the earth, we

must begin with environmental

preservation. On the other hand,

the protection of nature depends

on humanity to self-awaken, which

also starts with preservation of the

spiritual environment.

In order to help everyone under-

stand more about the environment,

climate, pollution, disaster and food

source, Venerable Master Hsing

Yun researched and collected many

information and had them translated

in Chinese and English for everyone

to read.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun also

said in the speech, Although the

phrase 'environmental preservation'

did not appear during ancient times,

Amitabha Buddha was already an

expert in this area. In His Pureland,

this solemn and pure environment

is without water or air pollution or

any environmental pollution caused

by noise, toxic gas or nuclear

radiation. In particular, residents

of the Pureland are all people of

virtue gathered together. Everyone

is physically and mentally healthy,

has an infinite lifespan and is pure

with their three karmas of body,

speech and mind, free from the

Three Poisons. No trees are logged

willfully, hence the sight of bright

flowers, lush trees and meadows

are everywhere. Thus, Amitabha

Buddha is indeed a pioneer in

physical, spiritual and environmental

preservation.

According to the Buddhist

sutras, the worlds formation is

divided into the following four

stages: establishment, existence,

deterioration and destruction.

Towards destruction, there will be

the end of the world. However,

there is no need to be overly

worried, because the so-called age

of the end of Dharma, commonly

known as the end of the world,

if calculated according to the

Buddhist perspective of time, is

still many thousands of years away.

As long as we love and cherish

our blessings, keep accumulating

merits and virtue, and look after the

earth, then we will give it a longer

life, because everything in the

world follows the law of cause and

effect.

Everything in this world has

a life, thus we cannot just cherish

our own life but also that of others.

Without other lives in this world,

there will not be causes and

effects that allow our existence.

Therefore, in order to survive, we

must love and cherish our causes

and conditions and be one and

coexist with all things.

In the end of the speech,

Venerable Master Hsing Yun

has told real life stories from the

United States of America and

Germany, to stories from the Sutra

of One Hundred Parables and also

expressed, If everyone has the

heart and wishes to save the earth

and think, The earth is sick. I want

to help her to not let it worsen,

then not only is the 21st century

the era of environmentalism, it also

will be a beautiful era of purified

minds.

MASTER OF WISDOM

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Buddha Memorial Centre

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The Buddha Memorial Centre

not only consecrates the

Buddhas tooth relic, but would

also perpetually propagate

Buddhist culture, art and

education, simultaneously will

also present the Buddha lives

and may become a treasure

space for thousands of years to

come. said Venerable Master

Hsing Yun, the Founder of Fo

Guang Shan Buddhist Order.

In 1998, Venerable Master

Hsing Yun held the Bodhgaya

International Full Ordination in India,

which drew the attention of Kunga

Dorje Rinpoche. He donated the

Buddhas tooth relic to Venerable

Master Hsing Yun which will be

placed in the Buddha Memorial

Centre upon completion. On the

right flank of the Centre will be

Spiritual Peak and 600 caverns for

meditation purposes. On the left,

there will be Jetavana Grove for

boats. 48 mausoleum chambers

will be divided to place each kind

of treasure in 6 years. For every

100 years, another mausoleum

chamber will be opened for a

new treasure. This would enable

the Buddha Memorial Centre to

grow continuously and become

the main exhibition area. The

peripheral of the Centre will

demonstrate a dynamic introduction

of the profound spiritual nature of

Buddhist education. This would

enable devotees to pay their

respect and fulfill their spiritual

needs.

500 sightseeing buses and

2000 passengers vehicles could

be parked in the Buddha Memorial

Centre. Outside the Centre, an

18-metre high King Asoka statue

will be sculptured as a Buddhist

icon. To advocate gender equality,

three female Buddhas of modern

age will be added.

In the Buddha Memorial Centre,

each structure contains a Buddhist

doctrine that simultaneously

represent the Bodhisattva

spirits. Looking from the main

tower, there is the Eightfold Path

Pagoda, which symbolises the

beginning of Buddha. Thus, the

Buddha Memorial Centre not only

represents the Buddhist culture

but it also introduces the Buddhist

doctrine.

BUDDHA MEMORIAL CENTRE

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Buddhas DayMULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

With an attendance of over 10,000 people, Buddhas Day

Multicultural Festival is becoming on one of Aucklands most

sought after event that showcases true multiculturalism

171717

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Fo Guang Shan North Island celebrated Buddhas Day Multicultural Festival on 11 April 2010 in front of the Temples

Main Shrine. Presided over by

Venerable Abbess Manshin, invited

VIPs included former Minister of

Ethnic Affairs and MP Pansy Wong,

Leader of Opposition Hon Phil

Goff, National Party MP Dr Cam

Calder, MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi,

MP Melissa Lee, Hon Chris Carter,

Hon Luamauvao Winnie Laban, MP

Raymond Huo, Consular General

of the Peoples Republic of China

(Auckland) Liao Juhua, former CEO

of Manukau City Council Leigh

Auton, Auckland Mayor Len Brown

and former Manukau City Deputy

Mayor Gary Troup, representative

of the Hindu community Sri

Mysore, representative of the

Muslim community Maulna Shafiq

ur Rehman, representative of the

Anglican Church Reverend Ann

Batten, BLIA (North Island) NZ

President Dolly Tsai, BLIA advisors

and consultants, and over a hundred

guests.

Prior to the blessing ceremony,

260 devotees dressed in different

cultural costumes took part in

the Offering Ceremony, offering

flowers, incense and scriptures

to the Buddha. This was followed

by the blessing cere mony where

Venerable Abbess Manshin led

the VIPs to offer flowers and take

part in Bathing the Buddha. During

BUDDHA'S DAY

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her speech Vene rable Abbess

Manshin explained the significance

of Bathing the Buddha, encouraging

everyone to learn to be like water:

clean, pure, soft and tolerant, in

order to experience the equanimity

of all human races and the unlimited

freedom of life. She said We

are very fortunate to live in New

Zealand, one of the cleanest

countries in the world and we

must learn to take care of the earth

where all life started and the place

where we live. Consular General

of the Peoples Republic of China

in Auckland, Madam Liao Juhua,

presented an embroidered picture

to the Temple.

The weather was fine and

breezy and the Temple was a

hustle and bustle with crowds of

We are very fortunate to live in New Zealand,

one of the cleanest countries in the world and

we must learn to take care of the earth where

all life started and the place where we live.

Venerable Abbess Manshin

people, more than 5000 of whom

took part in Bathing the Buddha.

Eighteen food stalls were set

up in front of the Front Shrine

featuring delicious foods from

China, Vietnam and Malaysia, to

name a few. Volunteers for the ten

Education and Community stalls

were busy demonstrating origami,

Chinese knotting and calligraphy.

The Childrens Wonderland, which

featured a colouring competition,

bouncy castle, face/body painting

and treasure hunt, attracted

many children and their families.

Cultural performances included

Japanese drums, Chinese opera,

contemporary dance and aerobic

displays. At 2pm, 50 babies,

toddlers and their families took part

in the Baby Blessing Ceremony

presided over by Venerable Abbess

Manshin. She led the devotees in

reciting the Heart Sutra and a prayer

written by Venerable Master Hsing

Yun, the Founder of Fo Guang Shan

20

Buddhist Order. The babies and toddlers were blessed

with holy water and presented with rosary beads. To

express her heartfelt gratitude, Venerable Abbess

Manshin presented souvenirs to over 300 volunteers

who participated in this Buddhas Day Multicultural

Festival, expressing her hope that everyone will live

life to the fullest through their participation in BLIAs

activities. This highly successful annual event, to which

was attended by over ten thousand visitors, ended with

the chiming of the bell and drum.

Multiculturalism

The ethnic composition of New Zealands population

is truly diverse. Today, over 4 million people who

choose to reside in this beautiful part of the world

consists of Europeans, Maori, Asian, Pacific, Middle

Eastern, Latin American and Afican. Such diversity

has enabled the spirit of multiculturalism to flourish;

making the Kiwi culture a unique one.

Sourced from Statistics New Zealand

and the 2010 Social Report

in New Zealand

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Former Minister of Ethnic Affairs Hon Pansy Wong The Prime Minister sends his regards and was very impressed

with Fo Guang Shan Temple when he attended this event last year

and how the BLIA mem bers have made the Buddhas Day event

so successful. The Econo mist magazine has named New Zealand,

in relative terms, the most peaceful country in the world. It is

not about the fact that we are a country that is multicultural and

multiracial with a variety of religions, but we have embraced and

celebrated this diversity. I have learnt that the BLIA has universities,

which shows that the people who help to grow Fo Guang Shan are

not only religious but educated and demonstrate a good blend of

both knowledge and wisdom in their every decision. The Temple

has opened their venue to the community, as seen by the latest

Police Safety Expo. Fo Guang Shan cares not only about its own

propagation but the welfare of the public. It is also good to see

that our future leaders, the youth, taking part in the organisation of

this event, learning from the experience that will help them in their

future leadership roles.

Leader of Opposition Hon Phil Goff Listening to the various prayers for

world peace shows that the main

religious values are essen tially the

same in its core. For example, the

value of peace and harmony in a world

that is full of violence and hatred,

compassion in the face of selfishness

and greed, and lastly the need for

truth and wisdom in great leadership.

New Zealand is a community that is

multiracial, multicultural and filled with

many religions and the fact that this

diver sity is embraced and celebrated

is one of our countrys strengths. This

is evident today with the many cultural

entertainments and food on display to

be enjoyed.

BUDDHA'S DAY

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Auckland Mayor Len Brown By looking at the crowd that has gathered in celebra-

tion of Buddhas Birthday we are a living example of the

saying by Mohammad Gandhi, Be the change you want

to see in the world. The environment that we display here

in Manukau City is a leading example to the rest of the

world that people of different race, religion and culture can

not only coexist harmoniously but serve to complement

and improve one another. Fo Guang Shan, before its

completion, was built in the hope of being a centre for

racial tolerance and harmony and this dream is becoming

a reality. Barry Curtis Park complements the Temple and

is quickly becoming the favourite park in Manukau City

because it shares such a wonderful synergy together with

the Temple. The park is a beautiful place where parents

can take their children and spend some quality family time

together. The Buddhist flag represents the many colours

of humanity. Fo Guang Shan is a leader in promoting the

sharing of cultural, religious and ethnic diversity. Therefore

if we can have peace here in Fo Guang Shan, surely we

can have peace in the world.

BLIA (North Island) NZ President Dolly Tsai Buddhas Day is not only a day where we pray

to the Buddha and deities for protection. The

true significance is to remind ourselves about

the merits of the Buddha and to era dicate all

defilements in order to realise our Buddha

nature. Fo Guang Shan North Island advocates

Venerable Master Hsing Yuns Humanistic

Buddhism, creating a Pureland in the human

world by spreading the seeds of the Three

Good Deeds speak good words, do good

deeds, think good thoughts; cultivating good

affinity by offering others confidence, joy, hope,

and convenience, propagating Three Spirits

of Righteousness, learning to be benevolent,

moral, grateful and purifying the world through

family harmony and observance, inter-personal

harmony and respect, social harmony and world

peace. By incorporating these values in our daily

lives, we purify our body, speech and mind as

well as enrich and promote the quality of life.

BUDDHA'S DAY

23

The compassion of water bathes and nurtures all sentient beings

The justice of water purges defilementThe courage of water tenderly subdues the stubbornThe wisdom of water makes rivers flow

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On July 12, various Buddhist organisations from around New Zealand presented the Dhamma-

pada to Parliament. Fo Guang

Shan was invited to the Sutra-

giving ceremony, along with

30 other representatives from

different sectors of Buddhism,

including president of the New

Zealand Buddhist Society Mr

DhammapadaBUDDHIST TEACHINGS SCRIPTS ITS WAY TO PARLIMENT

Amala, Venerable Nattawat

Promsatit from Thai Buddhism,

and Venerable Ngawanglhat

from Tibetan Buddhism.

Members of Parliament can

now swear in using Buddhist

texts, as well the Bible, Koran,

and the Indian "Bhagalad Cita".

The Australian Buddhist Society

also presented the Buddhist

Dharma Sutra to the Australian

Parliament in 2009.

BUDDHIST SCRIPTURE

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261

TALLORDER

A

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Venerable Abbess Manshin, the first monastic patron for the

Royal New Zealand Police College, was invited to the graduation

of forty Wing 261 cadets. This is a great honour and is symbolic

of the acceptance of Buddhism in a Western country

30

On 10 June 2010, forty Wing 261 Police Officers graduated from the Royal New Zealand Police College after an

intensive 19 weeks of physical and

academic training course. Patron

Venerable Abbess Manshin was

invited to inspect the parade, give a

speech and present the graduation

certificates during the graduation

ceremony.

Other special guests included

Police Commissioner Howard

Broad, Deputy Commis sioner

Rob Pope, The Principal of Royal

New Zealand Police College

Mike Wilson, Superintendent

Wally Haumah, Inspector Lindsay

Duncan, Porirua Mayor Jenny

Brash, Royal New Zealand Police

Human Resource Manager Brendan

Ryan, police inspectors, parents

and friends of the graduates and

300 other guests. The ceremony

was covered by The Dominion

Post reporter Aimie Cronin, who

also interviewed Venerable Abbess

Manshin.


presented an auspicious Buddhas

finger sculpture to the cadet with

the third highest overall mark.

She said she hoped that every

police officer will take very good

care of the local community; like

the thousand hands and eyes of

the Bodhisattvas; and explained

that those who come close to

the auspicious Buddhas fingered

sculpture could gain a purified mind.


gifted each graduating officer

with the book Dharma Words

by Venerable Master Hsing Yun,

the Founder of Fo Guang Shan

Buddhist Order. To the police

inspectors, the Abbess presented

the English version of The Great

Realizations and The Platform

Sutra.

31

ROYAL NZ POLICE WING 261

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On 8 June, Patron Vene-rable Abbess Manshin, Venerable Manwang and Venerable Juexi were invi-

ted to attend the Royal New

Zealand Police College Wing

261 Graduation Dinner. Over 60

people attended including Deputy

Police Commissioner Rob Pope,

Superintendent Wallace Haumaha,

Superintendent Mike Wilson,

Inspector Lindsay Duncan, Sergeant

Christopher Blanchard, other police

officers and graduates of Wing 261.

The graduation dinner was held

according to British Royal Police

traditions which included Scottish

Bagpipe performances and a toast

to the Queen and Royal Police

Officers. This ocassion was very

special and meaningful to everyone

in the Police Force and provided

guests with a unique opportunity

to witness the solemnity of a Royal

Police Graduation Dinner.

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND POLICE COLLEGE

WING 261

Graduation Dinner

33

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND POLICE COLLEGE WING 261

Maori Welcoming Ceremony

Fo Guang Shan North Island was invited to attend a pwhiri (Maori welcoming ceremony) for Royal New Zealand Police College Wing 261 graduates. The ceremony was held on 21 June

at the Manukau Police Station. Seven members from

FGS North Island attended including Patron Venerable

Abbess Manshin, Venerable Miaoyu and Venerable

Rulian. Also in attendance were Royal New Zealand

Police Colleges Sergeant Ngarue Ratapu, Sergeant

Andrew Heffey, Sergeant Tony Davidson, Sergeant

Richard Waihi, Inspector Jason Hewett, Inspector

Bruce Bird and Counties Manukau Police Human

Resources Manager Brendan Ryan.


36

On 23 June 2010, 37 New Zealand Police Wing 261 graduating constables who have been posted to Manukau

Counties attended post graduate

training at Fo Guang Shan North

Island, organised by NZ Police Asian

Liaison Officer Justin Zeng.

During that day, Venerable

Abbess Manshin, Venerable

Manwang and Buddhas Light

International Association members

hosted Royal New Zealand Police

Human Resource Manager Brendan

Ryan, Inspector Lindsay Duncan,

Sergeant Christopher Blanchard

and his daughter Renee, Sergeant

Andrew Heffey and Sergeant

Tony Davidson. Chris Harrowell,

from Howick & Pakuranga Times,

Fo Guang Shan North Island has become a

signature landmark in Auckland and has served

as a spiritual home to many people.

NZ Police Asian Liaison Officer Justin Zeng

interviewed Abbess Manshin and

covered the report of the training

day.

At 1.30pm, Venerable Abbess

Manshin presided over The Light

Offering Ceremony in the Main

Shrine which was attended by all

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND POLICE COLLEGE WING 261

Post Graduate Training

37

Venerables, 30 BLIA members,

Wing 261 police constables and

their inspectors. They recited the

Heart Sutra, A prayer for Police

Officers written by Founder of

Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order

Venerable Master Hsing Yun and

made light offerings signifying their

determination to serve the nation

and its people.


39

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

BUDDHA'S LIGHT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (BLIA) NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND

Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) North Island NZ held its Annual General Meeting on November 21.

More than 60 members were in

attendance, including the president,

vice president, advisor and sub-

chapter chairpersons.

President Ms Tsai proudly

announced that BLIA North

Island NZ received the Charitable

Services Award in the 2010 BLIA

World Convention. Venerable

Abbess Manshin thanked everyone

for their outstanding team effort.

Awards were also presented to

sub-chapters for their hard work

throughout the year.

41

BLIA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

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The 2010 Buddha's Light International Association Australasia Convention was held in Nan Tien Temple in

Sydney, Australia from July 16

to 18. 180 members from New

Zealand, Western Australia,

Victoria, Queensland and New

South Wales attended the

confe rence, including Venerable

Abbess Manshin and 14 mem-

bers from Auckland. The three

day convention included the

Opening Ceremony, Founder

Of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist

Order Venerable Master Hsing

Yun "One-Stroke Calligraphy"

exhibition, Heart Sutra Trans-

cription, as well as keynote

speech by Ms Chao, a Buddha's

Light International Association

certified Buddhist Lecturer.

2010 AUSTRALASIA CONVENTION

BUDDHA'S LIGHT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (BLIA)

BLIA AUSTRALASIA CONVENTION

45

BLIA North Island NZ invited certified Buddhist Lecturer Ms Hsiao Leehuan to give a speech on November 28. The

lecture was entitled Capability

To Shine, and Ms Hsiao gave an

inspirational speech to more than

100 members. Her speech was full

of humour, laughter and creative

ways to remember the 7 ways

to shine from within: uplift your

spirit and work hard, get rid of your

ignorance, greed and hatred, smile

and be happy, have a clear goal in

life, acquire a new skill, refresh your

self image, and be grateful for what

you have.

Capability To ShineDHARMA LECTURE BY MS HSIAO LEEHUAN

DHARMA LECTURE

4747

SafeAT HOME

FEELING

The 3rd New Zealand Asian Safety Expo was held at

Fo Guang Shan North Island to instill safety awareness

among Asian migrants and make them feel at home

49

The 3rd New Zealand Asian Community Safety Expo was held at Fo Guang Shan North Island on 6 March

2010. The objective was to instill

safety awareness amongst Asian

migrants.

Invited special guests included

Vene rable Abbess Manshin, Auck-

land Mayor Len Brown, Assistant

Commissioner of Police Steve

Shortland, Sancta Maria College

President Paul Daley, Sancta Maria

College Associate President Ian

Vickers and Botany MP Jami-Lee

Ross. Mayor Len Brown gave a

speech of appreciation and thanked

Fo Guang Shan for sponsoring

the event and giving full support

by providing the venue, human

resources and security.

The mayor invited children

present to come up to the

stage for the ribbon cutting

ceremony to officiate the event.

Students of neighbouring schools

shared their many talents by

giving performances such as

Korean drums, Haka, singing and

dancing. Members of the Young

Adult Division also showcased their

dance talents.

Workshops were held to

inform women how to safeguard

themselves from snatch thieves;

information on security systems

and neighbourhood patrols were

also provided. The crowd was

treated to sumptuous vegetarian

delights at the many food stalls that

were set up for this occasion.

SAFETY EXPO

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PURIFICATION

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SmoothSAILING

Australian Richard Beattie invited

Fo Guang Shan North Island to attend the

purification of his yacht BIG FISH, which

is built by well known yacht builder

and devout Buddhist David F Darwent

53

On 21 May 2010, Fo Guang Shan North Island was invited to attend the purification of Australian born Richard Beatties yacht Big Fish at Aucklands Viaduct.

Venerable Abbess Manshin and Venerable

Manwang led the purification together with 18

BLIA members. Richard shared with Abbess

how he visited Bhutan and met with the well

known yacht builder and practicing Buddhist,

American born David F Darwent.

During his visit to Bhutan he was touched by

the compassion he experienced in the teachings

of Buddhism. Richard commissioned David

to build his NZ$100 million yacht and in the

process was introduced to Buddhism. After the

completion of the purification, Richard and his

family, together with 10 full time staff, will travel

the world in the yacht for a year. Abbess gifted

Richard and his family with Founder of Fo Guang

Shan Buddhist Order Venerable Master Hsing

Yuns 80th Anniversary book.

PURIFICATION

595959

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a life tocultivate

A STEP TO REPENT

Pilgrimage is a time when devotees

repent their sins by performing three

steps and one prostration, while

cultivating compassion and wisdom

to improve themselves

62

Approximately 250 devotees including famous Hong Kong actress Cheng Pei-pei and BLIA (North Island)

NZ President Dolly Tsai, gathered

at 6am on 1 January 2010 for the

New Years Day Pilgrimage.

To the chime of the morning

bell and drum, everyone was led

by the Venerables from the gate to

the Main Shrine doing three steps

and one prostration. As everyone

moved, hearts were opened and

purified.

Transference of merit occurred

in the Merit Field before the Main

Shrine following a recitation of

A Prayer for Pilgrimage written

by Venerable Master Hsing Yun,

the Founder of Fo Guang Shan

Buddhist Order. Venerable Abbess

Manshins goal is for everyone to

cultivate compassion and wisdom

through this event.

This is the 6th year Fo Guang

Shan North Island has held the New

Years Day Pilgrimage. The Temple

wants to encourage people to

make this event an annual activity

to increase their morality and to

awaken their Buddha nature.

NEW YEARS PILGRIMAGE

636363


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On 1 January 2010, Fo Guang

Shan North Island held its first One

Million Heart Sutras in The Buddha

sutra transcription event. Around

400 people attended, including

well known Hong Kong actress

Cheng Pei-pei, New Zealand artist

Tang Yin-Ling, World TV President,

his wife and staff, representatives

from various local Chinese organi-

sations, BLIA committee members

and devotees from all parts of

Auckland.


led the chanting at the start of the

ceremony. She then explained the

significance of sutra transcription

and hoped that by participating

in this event, everyone would be

Fo Guang Shan North Island

Ceremony

able to cultivate humility, sincerity,

empathy and compassion.

Though some English members

do not understand Chinese, they

still participated and transcribed

the Chinese characters stroke by

stroke with patience, concentration

and diligence. This ceremony

gave everyone an opportunity to

contribute towards the building of

the Buddha Memorial Centre in

Taiwan and world peace.

One Million Heart Sutras in The Buddha

6565

During Easter break on 4 April

2010, Fo Guang Shan North Island

held the second sutra transcription

ceremony for One Million Heart

Sutras in The Buddha.

130 devotees of different races

attended and contributed towards

the establishment of the Buddha

Memorial Centre and showed

their appreciation to the great

teaching that Buddha shared over

2500 years ago. Many attendees

expressed that during the ceremony

they experienced peacefulness and

pureness of the spirit.

One Million Heart Sutras in The BuddhaSecond Transcription Session

SUTRA TRANSCRIPTION

7272

Eternal LoveTHE BLESSING OF

25 couples renewed their matrimonial vows during the

Cherry Blossom Festival at Fo Guang Shan North Island

during which Venerable Abbess Manshin spoke about

the greatness of love from the bottom of the heart

74

The 4th Cherry Blossom Festival was held at Fo Guang Shan North Island from 16 to 17 October. The Light Offering Ceremony was held on the first

day, led by Venerable Abbess Manshin and

those in attendance included Former Ethnic

Affiars Minister Pansy Wong and devotees.

Toge ther, everyone chanted and offered

their lights, and experienced the simple yet

meaningful ceremony.

During Hon Pansy Wongs speech,

she reiterated the signifi cance of the role

played by Fo Guang Shan in the community.

Qualities advocated by Buddhism including

tolerance and compassion are qualities

crucial to maintaining harmony in a multi-

cultural and multiracial society such as

New Zealand. Venerable Abbess Man shin

encouraged everyone to lead positive,

enthusiastic and vibrant lives, and be

spiritually enriched.

YOUNG ADULT DIVISON

CEREMONYAdulthoodThe first New Zealand North Island Fo Guang Young

Adult Divison (YAD) Adulthood Ceremony took place in

the Main Shrine on 16 October. 30 members of the YAD,

aged between 14 and 18, dressed at their best, took part

in the ceremony. Venerable Abbess Manshin and the

other Venerables led the crowd in chants and prayers, and

after blessing them with holy water, she presented them

with gifts symbolising growth and maturity. Former YAD

President Max and committee member Tina led the group

in reciting the Fo Guang YAD Adulthood Ceremony Vow,

signifying their entry into the next stage in life.

Vice President of YAD One Jeremy, on behalf of all the

young adults, expressed his gratitude towards parents,

teachers, elders, the nation and Buddhism. It is these

people and their teachings which have cultivated them

into young individuals, willing and able to give back and

contribute towards our society.

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

7575

RENEWAL OF

LITTLE CHERRY

AND

BLOSSOM

BLESSING CEREMONYMatrimonial Vows

PrincePrincess

Renewal of Matrimonial Vows Blessing Ceremony

was held on 17 October. Presided by Venerable

Abbess Manshin and joined by 60 friends and family,

couples chanted and renewed their matrimonial

vows. Mr and Mrs Fong, and Mr and Mrs John

ONeil led the recitation of the vows in Mandarin and

English respectively. The couples then signed their

matrimonial vow certificates and exchanged gifts.

Venerable Abbess Manshin said, A loving couple

communicates through the heart and not the volume

of the voice; if the hearts are close, they know

exactly what the other half wants without words.

Mr and Mrs John ONeil, who have been married

for 48 years, were praised by Venerable Abbess

Manshin and should be every couples example.

On the morning of 17 October,

23 children competed in the

Little Cherry Blossom Prince

and Princess Pageant (in the

morning).

Deemed Little Cherry

Blossom Prince of the Year

was Sebastain Ho, at 4 years

of age, who fluently recited

San Zi Jing: The Three-

Character Classic. Little Cherry

Blossom Princess of the Year

rightfully went to 8-year-old

Crystal Chen, who amazed the

audience and judges with her

musical performance on a rare

Chinese instrument.

7676

MeritA VISIT FULL OFTaiwan Presidential Office Senior Advisor Chang Po-ya and her team visited

Fo Guang Shan North Island and was very appreciative of the temples

efforts to fuse art and religion to propagate Chinese culture and Buddhism

7979

On 23 July 2010, Taiwan Presidential Office Senior Advisor Chang Po-ya together with her husband and a

party of 11 people, accompanied

by Taipei Economic and Cultural

Representative Officer in New

Zealand Choi Er and his wife, Taipei

Economic and Cultural Officer in

Auckland Director Yang Gaorong

and his wife, visited Fo Guang Shan

North Island. Venerable Abbess

Manshin and Venerable Manwang

greeted the visitors.


offered a guided tour of the Temple

for the group and Senior Advisor

Chang Po-ya praised the Temple for

its well planned creative layout. She

told the Abbess that she felt very

comfortable when she first entered

the Temple. Venerable Abbess

Manshin shared with the visitors

that the design and planning of the

buildings as well as the plants and

trees, reflects how we can refine

our lives. Anybody can receive and

take away these messages, and

can become turning points in our

lives.

Senior Advisor Chang Po-ya

thanked Venerable Abbess Man-

shin, and others who took them

on a Journey of Buddhism,

and believes that Fo Guang Shan

North Island is a fusion of art and

religion, a successful model of

propagating Chinese culture and

Buddhism in New Zealand.

TAIWANESE GOVERNMENT ADVISOR VISIT

82

On Saturday 13 March 2010, 17 guests from the Hang Zhou Buddhist Association

of China, including Venerable

Miaogao, Venerable Yankong

and Venerable Jiyun visited Fo

Guang Shan North Island and

BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION (CHINA)Hang Zhou

Garchen Rinpoche, believed to be the incarnation of Siddha Gar Chodingpa, was hosted by

Venerable Abbess Manshin,

Venerable Manwang, BLIA

(North Island) NZ President

Dolly Tsai, Vice President Peter

Chen and 20 BLIA members

during his visit to Fo Guang

Shan North Island on 3 June

2010. The Abbess explained

the significance of the Temples

architecture, Fo Guang Shans

culture and the approach to

education as well as the origin

of Founder of Fo Guang Shan

Buddhist Order Venerable

Master Hsing Yuns One-Stroke

Calligraphy. They visited the

TIBETAN MONK

GarchenRinpoche

were welcomed by Venerable

Abbess Manshin, Venerable

Manwang, BLIA (North Island)

NZ President Dolly Tsai and

20 BLIA members. They were

also brought on a tour of the Fo

Guang Yuan Art Gallery.

83

Way of Life Photography Exhibition

and Liao Tian Zhaos Carved Stone

Teapot Exhibition at Fo Guang Yuan

Art Gallery.

Garchen Rinpoche shared

the Tibetan Buddhist teachings.

However, he said, the core

teachings of Buddhism remain

the same in all Buddhist orders;

Buddhism is the teaching to

cultivate the mind; the more

compassionate you are, the less

attachments and worries you have.

Taking the sun and the clouds

as analogies, attachments and

defilements are like the dark clouds

which cover the sun (compassion).

The sun will only appear when we

get rid of the attachments, desires

and ignorance. Garchen Rinpoches

On 5 May 2010, Peoples Government of Anhui Province, Ms Ling Wang of Taiwan Affairs Office of the Ombudsman, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Taiwan Office of Publicity

Department of Anhui Province Director Tianbao Wang

and the CPC Taiwan Office of Suzhou City Director

Xiaoguang Song and their party of ten people came

to tour Fo Guang Shan North Island, accompanied by

BLIA Advisor Jianxun Lu. Venerable Abbess Manshin,

Venerable Manwang, and BLIA President (NZ North

Island) Dolly Tsai greeted the VIP visitors. Venerable

Abbess Manshin gave a tour of the Temple and Fo

Guang Yuan Art Gallery. The Way of Life Photography

PEOPLES GOVERNMENT

OF TAIWAN AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN AND HER TEAM

Ms Ling WangOF ANHUI PROVINCE,

gentle words and loving-kindness

touched the hearts of many. At the

end of his visit he was presented

with a book written by Venerable

Master Hsing Yun.

A practicing Buddhist, 74-year

old Garchen Rinpoche ended his

Dharma talk tour of Singapore,

Hong Kong, Vietnam and New

Zealand with a series of Dharma

talks in New Zealand from 4-9 June

2010.

Exhibition at the art gallery shows photos of the North

and South Island Temple buildings which reflect the

contemporary world culture and the rocks and trees

represent the spiritual strength of life.

Ms Ling Wang described the cultural history of

Anhui Province, and the recent humanities educa tion.

She mentioned that she has visited Fo Guang Shan

head office in Taiwan in the past. The Monastery gifted

her Fo Guang Shan 40th Anniversary and books

written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Founder

of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order. In return, Ms Ling

Wang also gifted the Monastery with Anhui cultural

objects.

SPECIAL GUESTS

8585

YOUNG ADULT DIVISION

SUMMER CAMP

8888

Whole Nine YADYOUNG ADULT DIVISION SUMM

ER CAMP

|GOING THE

8989

The YAD (Young Adult Division) Summer Camp p

rovided

12 youths with an insight into Buddhist etiquette

through daily chanting routines and

helping out in temple chores

9090

FUN LEARNING WITH ABBESS

CHANTING

GARDENING

9191

The 4th Fo Guang Shan New Zealand Young Adult Division (YAD) Summer Camp began at Fo Guang Shan North Island on

28 December 2010 and marked the

commencement of a series of activities

themed Pure mind Radiates The Three

Acts of Goodness. Through an enriching

three weeks, 15 youths learnt the

importance of team work, understanding,

tolerance and was spiritually refined.

Led by Venerable Abbess Manshin and

Venerable Rulian, the youths discussed

the wisdom within Dharma, cultivated

patience and determination through

trimming trees and held various seminars

and outdoor activities.

The camp came to a successful

conclusion on 15 January 2011.

Venerable Abbess Manshin led the

youths and 15 parents in a Light Offering

Blessing Ceremony in the Main Shrine

where she blessed the youths with holy

water and gifted them with chanting

beads. Venerable Abbess Manshin

encouraged the youths to make the

Temple their spiritual home where they

can cultivate wisdom, compassion and

live life to the fullest through serving.

The parents expressed their heartfelt

gratitude to the Temple for helping shape

their children into more mature and

understanding individuals who can be

assets to our society.

TREE TRIMMING

MEAL TIME

PRAYER

YAD SUMMER CAMP

9292

Four Cornersof the World


CONVERGING FROM

98


The 2010 BLIA Annual General Meeting was held at the Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Kaoshiung, Taiwan

from 3 to 7 October. Over 2000

BLIA directors, Dharma Lecturers,

BLIA advisors, Presidents, repre

sentatives ,as well as local and

overseas entrepreneurs, educators

and politicians attended the

conference.

All the way from New

Zealand, Fo Guang Shan (NZ) was

represented by Abbess Manshin,

Venerables Manwang, Juexi and

Miaoyu, BLIA (North Island) NZ

President Dolly Tsai, Advisor and

BLIA (South Island) NZ Directors

and members in a group of 20.

Founder of Fo Guang Shan

Buddhist Order Venerable Master

Hsing Yun led the flag raising and

opening ceremonies, presided

over conferences and interacted

directly with members from all over

the world. In his speech during

the opening ceremony, Venerable

Master Hsing Yun mentioned that

there are four stages of life: from

physical to society, progressing

to faith and then to transcend

the cycle of birth and death. The

objective of Humanistic Buddhism

is to remove all defilements, which

is also the greatest and heartfelt

wish of every Buddhist. The

purpose of the annual conference is

to allow BLIA members worldwide

to get together, enriched each other

spiritually, broaden our horizon and

lead an everlasting spiritual life.

Newly established BLIA sub

chapters were also announced

during the conference and

certificates of establishment

were presented. Awards for best

performing BLIA chapters in

different categories were given

out. BLIA (North Island) NZ was

awarded Charity and Social Welfare

award and BLIA (South Island) NZ

received the Cultural Propagation

Award. A handing over ceremony

between the new and old advisors

also took place during the opening

ceremony.

99


100100

Buddhas DayMULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

101101

The significance of Bathing the Buddha is to encourage everyone to

acquire properties of water; clean, pure, soft and tolerant, in order to

experience equanimity among all human races and freedom of life

104104

105105

106

On 17 April, Buddhas Light International Association (BLIA) held the 2010 Buddhas Birthday Multicultural

Celebrations. Special guests

included Minister of Labour and

Minister of Conservation Hon

Kate Wilkinson, Labour Party MP

Brendon Burns, National Party

MP Nicky Wagner, Christchurch

Mayor Bob Parker, Taipei Economic

and Cultural Office representative

Mr Tsai, BLIA (South Island) NZ

President Almeric Cheng and

BLIA (North Island) NZ President

Dolly Tsai. Representatives from

other religious groups were also in

attendance. Together with more

than 200 devotees, they were led

by Venerable Abbess Manshin and

solemnly participated in the Bathing

of the Buddha Ceremony. Other

activities of the day included Taking

Refuge in Triple Gem and Five

Precepts Conferring Ceremony,

Baby Bless ing Ceremony, vege

tarian food fair, and cultural perfor

mances. This annual event broke

the attendance record, attracting

over 1000 people to the Temple to

celebrate this auspicious day.

Minister of Conservation Hon

Kate Wilkinson thanked the Temple

for inspiring Christchurch locals by

bringing to them this artistic space.

The Minister was moved after

reading Founder of Fo Guang Shan

Buddhist Order Venerable Master

Hsing Yuns Prayer for World Peace,

and hoped that everyone could,

together, work towards world

peace. She hopes to attend Fo

Guang Shans Buddhas Birthday

annually.

Labour Party MP Brendon

Burns thanked Fo Guang Shan for

inviting him to this solemn and

sacred ceremony, and expressed

his admiration towards the fact that

there are more than 200 Fo Guang

Shan temples worldwide working to

benefit society.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker

was pleased to once again attend

the ceremony, and said that the

SOUTH ISLAND BUDDHAS DAY

107107

Buddha was born 2554 years

ago and gained enlightenment,

bringing to mankind the great

Buddhist Philosophy. On behalf

of the people of Christ church, he

welcomes Buddhism to the city,

bringing to its residents a higher

quality of life.

SOUTH ISLAND BUDDHAS DAY

108

The 2010 Buddhas Birthday Cele brations also included the opening of artist Xu Ruifens Majestic Painting Exhibi

tion, the Baby Blessing Ceremony,

Taking Refuge in Triple Gem and

Five Precepts Conferring Ceremony.

This made the annual festival all

the more solemn and sacred,

and empowered devotees with

strength, unity, faith and hope.

The Baby Blessing Ceremony

took place at the Temples

courtyard. Accompanied by more

than 100 guests, Venerable Abbess

Manshin blessed 60 babies; two

pregnant mothers also seized this

rare opportunity and participated in

the blessing.

The Taking Refuge in Triple

Gem and Five Precepts Conferring

Ceremony was conducted in the

Buddha Hall. Venerable Abbess

Manshin presided over the cere

mony, where 29 devotees officially

became Buddhists; 11 of the them

also took part in the Five Precepts.

The Abbess explained the merits

and benefits of Taking Refuge, and

encouraged everyone to cherish the

conditions of becoming a Buddhist

BECOMING A BuddhistON AN AUSPICIOUS DAY

by diligently cultivating the Buddhist

Way, allowing Buddhas light to

shine forth and nourish their lives.

Everyone opened their heart with

some devotees moved to tears,

while others smiled with joy.

110110

111111

114114

Pilgrimage

Through taking

part in the

pilgrimage with

a sincere heart,

one could repent

their sins, develop

a compassionate

mind, make firm

resolutions to

improve oneself

and enhance their

cultivation

115115

GREETS NEW YEAR

116116

To welcome the arrival of the New Year, Fo Guang Shan South Island held a Pilgrimage Procession. Starting at

6:30am on the first day of 2010,

Venerable Juexi and Venerable

Miaoyu led 60 devotees in an hour

long chanting procession to the

Temples Buddha Hall. Venerable

Juexi explained the meaning of a

pilgrimage: far to near, outwards

to within, low to high, dark to

bright, cold to warm, hard to soft,

and from arrogant to humble and

compassionate. Through taking

part in the pilgrimage with a sincere

heart, one could repent their

sins, develop a compassionate

mind, make firm resolution to

improve oneself and enhance their

cultivation.

After breakfast, everyone

watched a documentary on

the construction of the Buddha

Memorial Centre in Taiwan.

This was followed by a sutra

transcription session, and everyone

transcribed their own unique copy


117

of the Heart Sutra, word by word, one stroke at a time,

with their most sincere heart and utmost focus.

In response to One Million Heart Sutras in the

Buddha programme, subsequent sutra transcription

sessions were held until the end of March. Although

unable to read or understand the Sutra, many locals

still attended and participated with all their heart

and sincerity. This was very moving for everyone

to witness; their determination is something that

we should all learn from. 500 copies of the Heart

Sutra were transcribed in total, and the merits were

transferred to the participants families and friends as

well as the community in special ceremonies lead by

Venerable Abbess Manshin.


118118

RoaringINTO THE YEAR OF THE TIGER

119119

122

The Chinese New Years Eve Volunteer Blessing Dharma Service and Dinner was held on 30 January 2010 to thank all the

Temple volunteers and devotees

for their services and contributions

during the past year. Venerable

Abbess Manshin led 150 volun

teers and their family members in

chanting.

Special guests included former

Minister of Ethnic Affairs Hon Pansy

Wong, Christchurch City Coun

cillor Helen Broughton, Riccarton

Wigram Community Board Member

Jimmy Chen, New Zealand Police

Ethnic Advisor Portfolio Constable

Liying Cai, New Zealand High Court

Barrister Xiaolei Sun and his wife,

Christchurch Sister City Kurashiki

of Japan Committee Chairman

Malcolm Harris, oil painter Gail

Batchelor and her husband,

Christchurch Chinese Lions Club

President Ing Ma and her husband,

and Buddhas Light International

Association BLIA (South Island) NZ

President and Advisor.

BLIA (South Island) NZ Presi

dent Almeric Cheng thanked

the volun teers for helping with

numerous activities during the past

year, giving Christchurch locals

many beautiful memories.

Former Minister Hon Pansy

Wong praised BLIA members for

their educational and charitable

contributions to the community,

saying that they have become

excellent models for others.

She also commended BLIA

for becoming an advisor of the

United Nations, working hard

towards realising world peace,

and Fo Guang Shan for sending a

young and promising Buddhist to

Volunteer Celebration DinnerCHINESE NEW YEARS EVE

represent the Buddhist faith in New

Zealand during the 2009 Interfaith

Dialogue in Perth.

Abbess Manshin gave a Dharma

talk on the significance of the

Dharma words Aweinspiring Virtue

and Ocean of Merits, encouraging

everyone to develop the might of

a tiger and adopt the mannerisms

of The Virtuous One so that they

may gain merits as vast as the

ocean. The Abbess also men

tioned the causes and conditions

behind Founder of Fo Guang

Shan Buddhist Order Venerable

Master Hsing Yuns OneStroke

Calligraphy Art and encouraged

everyone to learn from the Masters

perseverance and industriousness.

The Abbess wished everyone a

hopeful New Year and gave every

one an auspicious red packet.

123

The Aweinspiring Virtue and Ocean of Merits Chinese New Year Cultural Festival was held on 13 February,

attracting the attendance of appro

ximately 250 members and tourists.

Numerous Westerners visited

the Cultural Street which was

com prised of 14 stalls featuring

Buddhist crafts, vegetarian food,

publications of Venerable Master

Hsing Yun, the Founder of Fo

Guang Shan Buddhist Order, hya

cinth tea and tea sets, hand flower

beads, Chinese knots, Chinese

medicine, Chinese calli graphy and

many other festive activities.

On 13 February at 10:30 pm, the Chinese New Years Eve Dharma Function was held to celebrate the beginning of the year of Tiger. The Venerables lead the devotees in chanting Medicine Buddha Mantra, followed by Founder of Fo

Guang Shan Buddhist Order Venerable Master Hsing Yuns New

Years Eve Prayer. Nearly 200 devotees, members and visitors of

various nationalities came, in hope of receiving good luck for the

New Year. At midnight, more devotees entered the Main Shrine

to offer their first incense of the year and wished for a prosperous

New Year.

On 14 February at 10 am, the Thousand Buddha Dharma

Function was held, attracting over 100 members and devotees.

Everyone participated in paying respect to the Thousand

Buddhas, and sending New Year wishes to Venerable Master

Hsing Yun, Venerable Abbess Xinpei of Fo Guang Shan

Headquarters and Venerable Abbess Manshin of Fo Guang Shan

New Zealand.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

ATTRACTS LOCALS

CHINESE NEW YEARS EVE

DRAWS CROWDSFirst Incense Offering Cultural Festival

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

124124

125125

BLIA FellowshipNORTH SOUTH

128

63 members from the North Island and South Island branches of Buddhas Light International

Association (BLIA) came together

on 28 May to exchange ideas. The

threeday conference was hosted

by the South Island branch, led by

President Almeric Cheng. Venerable

Abbess Manshin gave the opening

presentation; the itinerary also

included a trip to the famous Maruia

Springs.

The topic of the lecture presen

tation was The Six Buddhas Light

Member Motto. Abbess Manshin

explained that being a member of

BLIA means having a heart full of

the following virtues:

1. Heart of Resourceful Wisdom

2. Heart of Buddhist Compassion

3. Heart of Aspiring Pursuit

4. Heart of Sincere Repentance

5. Heart of Diligent Perseverance

6. Heart of Faithful Belief

Abbess Manshin also told

everyone about the Founder of


NZ BLIA CONFERENCE

129

Venerable Master Hsing Yun Education

Charity Trust, how the proceeds from

the auction of the Venerable Masters

OneStroke Calligraphy Art benefits

the society through charity and

education.

This memorable conference

enabled members to share not only

friendship, but also the spirit of service

and team work.

NZ BLIA CONFERENCE

132

ASPIRING LEADERS FORUMInspire

Members from the Young Adult Division (YAD) attended the Leadership Forum held at

Parliament in Wellington from

July 22 to 25. Over 100 youths

from all over New Zealand

attended, aged between 18

and 30. Representing Fo Guang

Shan South Island YAD were

Shenghan Lim, Andy Hsu and

YAD Chairperson Hiking Liu;

representing Fo Guang Shan

North Island YAD were Angela

Lim, Jonny Lin and Jeremy Tan.

Deputy Prime Minister and

Minister of Financial Affairs Hon

Bill English, Leader of the Labour

Party Hon Phil Goff and many

other prominent figures around

the country attended the Forum.

In their speeches, many of them

shared philosophies similar to

those of Founder of Fo Guang

Shan Buddhist Order Venerable

Master Hsing Yuns teaching of

Humanistic Buddhism.

The attendees were divi

ded into several discussion

groups, each lead by a Mem

ber of Parliament. They

shared experiences, toured

the Parliament, and watched

Members of Parliament in

debates.

YAD members expressed

their gratitude to Venerable

Abbess Manshin for nominating

and supporting their participation

in the Forum. Not only have

they furthered their leadership

skills, but found many of the

speeches given by leaders today

echoing those of Venerable

Master Hsing Yuns teachings.

Through learning qualities such

as passion, courage, wisdom,

versatility, resourcefulness,

endurance, humility and respon

sibility, it also strengthened their

faith in Humanistic Buddhism.

ASPIRE TO

VIP SPEECH EXCERPTS

Telecom New Zealands

Former CEO Theresa Gattung

believes that with all under

takings, enthusiasm, courage,

wisdom, determination, tolerance,

magnanimity, gratitude, a sense

of responsibility and accountability

are paramount; and that one

should see failure and setbacks as

lessons to learn, since Good is

not always absolutely good, and

bad is not always absolutely bad.

She also speaks of the self as

being ones greatest responsibility,

pointing out that everyone has

unlimited potential which can be

realised through hard work and

the willingness to accept the

constructive criticism of others.

Labour Party MP Dr Rajen

Prasads lifetime dedication

to promoting and facilitating

multiculturalism in New Zealand

133

ASPIRING LEADERS FORUM

has earned the respect of many New Zealanders.

Dr Prasad emphasised the importance of courage,

honesty and gratitude; and of staying true to ones

values, being selfless in ones role and of giving

without expecting anything in return. In addition,

he pointed out that People will put a leader onto a

pedestal, but that leader needs to remember to get

off when the job is done, and that one will be on

and off stage through life we take opportunities

and we give opportunities to others. Dr Prasad also

believes that learning comes from failure.

Green Party MP Gareth Hughes is New Zealands

youngest ever MP, having entered parliament at the

age of 28 years; his initial impetus to join politics

was to put an end to whaling, and to date, has only

been in the political arena for a mere 12 months. He

is currently improving Aucklands public transport

infrastructure. MP Hughes stressed that If you are

passionate about something, do whatever it takes

to achieve it, and be courageous. His actions are

the quintessence of his words. He was jailed for

protesting against the use of genetically modified

and mistreated animals in McDonalds food items.

The Buddhas Light International Association Young

Adults Division delegation were inspired by the

politicians bravery and sacrifice to reflect upon their

responsibilities and duties as Buddhas Light young

adults.

The prolific and almost legendary real estate agent

Mr Warren White was conferred the southern

hemispheres Australasias Best Real Estate

Agent award for the years 1988 and 1998, and is

one of Australasias most sought after motivational

speakers. He pointed out that: Vision without

action is daydreaming, action without vision is just

passing the time, and vision with action changes

the world. His formula for success is: Vision,

Plan, Action and Result. In Mr. Whites eyes,

indispensible to a successful leader are love for

everyone, generosity, the ability to listen to others,

and the willingness to let go of adversities and

setbacks and to move on.

134134

FAITHFAITHSBETWEEN

135135

The 7th Interfaith Forum in

Christchurch has truthfully

inspired New Zealand IBA

and BLIA South Island to seek

opportunities to co-operate

and build trust and respect

for other groups of faith.

136136

The 7th Annual National Interfaith Forum began on 26 February 2010. The threeday event took place in Christchurch. New Zealand International Buddhist Association, together with BLIA (South Island) NZ President Almeric Cheng, Vice

President Jack Liu and members of the Young Adult Division (YAD)

attended the forum. The theme for last years forum was Keeping

Faith in the Modern World. Representatives from various religious

groups participated in the forum.

New Zealand Representative of UNESCO Paul Morris gave a

137137

ANNUAL NATIONAL INTERFAITH FORUM

materialistic challenges. Catherine

Jones and Superintendent Dave Cliff

led workshops Faith and Safer Cities

and Seeing the Best in Each Other

respectively.

On the last day of the forum, seven

members of BLIA YAD joined the 3rd

National Youth Forum. They attended

a series of activities and workshops,

speech, followed by a series of keynote

speakers. Reve rend Margaret Mayman

spoke on My Experience in Faith,

Involvement in the UN and development

of womens rights. Several panel

discussions on Living My Faith in the

Modern World were also conducted

to seek solutions and opinions on

how to face todays technological and

including keynote speech

Regenerate Your Faith

by Imam Afroz Ali.

Members were excited

to join discussions on

faith and sustainability

on a national scale. They

expressed how much

they learned about

inappropriate shopping

behaviours that cause

excess waste, and

realised the importance

of involving themselves

with protecting the earth

by reducing waste. The

forum inspired everyone

to seek opportunities

to cooperate and build

trust and respect for one

another, with the common

goal of finding solutions

and strategies to benefit

all religions.

138138

ImpressionA HUMANISTIC

The Chinese Ambassador in New Zealand visited Fo Guang Shan

South Island and was impressed by the richness of Humanistic Buddhism

and its meaningful application to the architecture of the Temple

139139

141

CHINESE AMBASSADOR VISIT

The Chinese Ambassador in New Zealand visited Fo Guang Shan South Island on 4 July. Accompanied

by his wife and ten staff mem

bers, they marveled at the

modern and artistic design of

the Temple, the remarkable

career of Founder of Fo


Venerable Master Hsing

Yun, and were moved by the

Venerable Masters OneStroke

Calligraphy Art. They also found

the Yao Hong Ying Embroidery

Exhibition on display at the

gallery incredibly striking.

The ambassador was much

impressed by the development

and richness of modern day

Buddhism.

142142

BLIA Members Attend Concert

143

Following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Christchurch on 4 September 2010,

Christchurch City Council

organised the Band

Together Concert in

Hagley Park on October 23

to bring people together.

Many religious groups were

invited to give prayer to the

city. Abbess Manshin lead

8 Fo Guang Shan members

and chanted Founder of Fo


Venerable Master Hsing

Yuns Earthquake Prayer.

Prime Minister Hon John

Key, Ministers and many

Members of Parliament were

also in attendance along with

an estimated 100,000 local

residents.

143

144144

145145

CYCLINGTHE WORLD

Two Taiwanese cyclists

Kai and Yen who are touring

the world on bicycles visited

Fo Guang Shan South Island

to recharge their inner energy

so that they can continue on

their long journey

147147

Two cyclists on a mission to tour the world on bicycle visited the temple on 24 September. They are Kai and Yen,

team No. 8 from Taiwan, and are

plannning to tour the world within

two and half years, promoting

the theme Reduce Energy Con

sumption, Stop Environmental

Pollution, Live In Harmony with

Earth.

So far, the pair has visited

Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore,

Australia and New Zealand.

Christchurch was their fifth stop

in 6 months since they started

from Taiwan in March. Their

future destinations include China,

the Middle East, Russia, Europe,

America, and Japan, totaling more

than 55,000 kilometers. The visit to

the Temple was to recharge their

inner energy, giving them more

faith to continue.


commended their courage and

perseverance; their mission requires

enormous power of meditation and

excep tional strength. They were

creating miracles for their own

lives, as well as making Taiwan

proud. These warm words of

encouragement gave the couple

positive energy to continue. The

Abbess gave them Founder of


Venerable Master Hsing Yuns book

on Words of Wisdom and chanting

beads as parting gifts, wishing

them renewed strength and faith in

their journey.

CYCLING THE WORLD

149149

150150

151

An art gallery

Is a space necessary for a contemporary temple

At the initial planning stage

The architects left aside a large space

To be used as a shrine for arts

So that pieces of art have a stage to dance on

Art pieces can walk outside

Spreading their wings and fly

Vision can extend without limitation

And even more so

The mind can somersault, breathing freely

At this time

Art is no longer just art

But a faith, where the mind can take refuge

It is also strength

Where the mind can be calm and still

Such is Tranquility

152

Introduction to

One-Stroke Calligraphy

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Everyone is a Buddha! said Venerable Master

Hsing Yun, the Founder of Fo Guang Shan

Buddhist Order. Putting aside the question of

Who is actually a buddha? it can at least be said

that Venerable Master Hsing Yun is a bodhisattva

who never tires.

Turning 83 years old this year, he has faced 40 years

of diabetes that led to a serious eye condition, along

with retinal detachment.

With unclear visions in both eyes, he can barely see.

Despite having to write calligraphy with shaking

hands, he still is able to let his heart guide his hands in

completing the extremely rare onestroke calligraphy.

Onestroke calligraphy means that every piece of

calligraphy written by Venerable Master is done in one

stroke.

No discontinuation is allowed from beginning to end,

as any discontinuation will make it difficult to continue

to the next character, because his vision does not allow

him to distinguish the distance between each character.

For this reason, he is forced to complete the whole

work in one stroke.

Under such difficult circumstances, Venerable

Master still makes efforts to keep his brush moving

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ONE-STROKE CALLIGRAPHY

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between ink and paper.

Last year, he donated all NT$30 million from the

royalty he had received for the books he had written

to establish a public benefit trust, entrusting the bank

to organise different public welfare activities to benefit

society.

This trust fund received support from devotees, and

quickly raised almost NT$100million.

However, in order to continue the fundraising,

Venerable Master Hsing Yun made NT$1billion as the

new goal.

Once again, he exhibits his amazing willpower to

keep writing day and night, completing one hundred

calligraphy works for this calligraphy charity fundraiser.

Among the hundreds of works are I am a Buddha

Auspiciousness and Wishes Fulfilled Transcend

All Types of Sufferings,Do Not Forget Ones Initial

Aspirations,Regard the Multitude as You Regard

Yourself and A Hundred Merits and Auspiciousness.

He will be holding a series of calligraphy charity

fundraisers and thereafter, travel to Taiwan, United

States, Europe, Hong Kong, China and other countries

to create good affinity with the public and Buddhists.

Proceeds from the calligraphy charity fundraiser will

fund the Public Benefit Trust Fund, which will work

hard to promote and purify society.

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Founder of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order Venerable Master Hsing Yuns OneStroke Calligraphy Exhibition was displayed at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Auckland from 18 June 2010

to January 2011. People from various ethnicities were

attracted to the maturity, depth and power of his works.

Every brush stroke evokes feelings of tranquility and

peacefulness to the viewer. Many have commended

Venerable Master Hsing Yun for donating proceeds

from the sale and auction of his artworks to charity.

To honour Venerable Master Hsing Yuns noble

deed, Fo Guang Shan North Island decided to display

Ingenuity Exhibited in the

By Venerable Master Hsing YunOne-Stroke Calligraphy

some of his calligraphy around the walls of the Main

Shrine. Through careful planning and foresight,

surrounding bamboos were trimmed to complement

Venerable Master Hsing Yuns calligraphies. The

resulting breathtaking scenery is for everyone to enjoy

for many generations to come.

ONE-STROKE CALLIGRAPHY

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LIAO TIAN ZHAO

EXHIBITION (NORTH ISLAND)STONE TEAPOT

Liao Tian Zhao Stone Teapot Exhibition was held from 22 May to 29 August 2010 at Fo Guang Yuan North Island.

Liao Tian Zhao is the founder of

the art of creating stone carved

teapots, which he began 40 years

ago in Taiwan. He is fastidious in

the modeling of teapots which

incorporates aesthetics and

practicality in that they can also

be used for making tea. During

the past 30 years he has created

more than one thousand teapots,

including one which holds the

Guiness World Record for being

the Smallest Teapot. For Liao

Tian Zhao, stone evokes a unique

emotion within him. He says that

life is short but stone, because it

comes from nature, will last forever

and this way he can record his life

in something solid and tangible;

retaining the beauty of nature while

merging it with his own creative

ideas.

STONE TEAPOT

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WAY OF LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

On 28 January 2010, Fo Guang Shan North Island launched the Way of Life Photography Exhibition. Founder of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order Venerable Master Hsing Yun, who has dedicated his whole life to the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism said, Humanistic Buddhism encompasses the concepts of our existence, life and

death and the way we live our lives. The process of life and death is the form of Humanistic

Buddhism, while the way we live our lives is the essence, the characteristic and the practice of

Humanistic Buddhism. Thus, by integrating Buddhism into our daily life it is a way of life.

Located in the South Pacific, Fo Guang Shan New Zealand continues to propagate the ideals

of Humanistic Buddhism by working towards the goals of localisation and multiculturalisation

through education, culture, charity and cultivation. The Way of Life Photography Exhibition

tells the story of Fo Guang Shan New Zealand; recording the changes and touching moments

through its history and development.

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Gail Batchelors Abstract Artwork Exhibition is a series of oil paintings that was displayed in Fo Guang Yuan Art

Gallery South Island from 2 March

to 30 April 2010.

Gail is a part time painter, who

graduated with a Bachelors degree

in Art History from University of

Canterbury. She is a member of the

Meditation Class at Fo Guang Shan

South Island. With her unique view

and interest in Eastern philosophy

and art, she has created a series

of artworks inspired by Zen and

meditation.

One such series is the Wrest

ling the Ox, which describes the

various levels of meditation, and

was inspired by the famous Budd

Gail Batchelors

hist Zen drawing The 10 Ox

from 12th century China. The

struggling ox can be regarded as

our desire and troubled mind; it

also symbolises that every sentient

being has a Buddha nature.

Gail Batchelor also demonstrated

her skills on site every Wednesday

to Friday during the duration of the

exhibition.

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Hand PaintedChinaware Exhibition

The Fay Porcelain Painting Exhibition was held at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery from April 17 to June 12. The opening

of the exhibition coincided with

the Buddhas Birthday Festival and

was attended by many guests of

honour, including Minister Hon Kate

Wilkinson, MP Brendon Burns, MP

Nicky Wagner, Christchurch Mayor

Bob Parker and representative from

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

Accompanied by the Abbess, Ms

Hsu gave a personal guided tour

of her artwork; the collection took

more than 10 years to create.

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NATURE AND LIFEFLOWER ARRANGEMENT

EXHIBITION

The first Nature and Life floral exhibition by the Ikebana association in 2008 at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery South

Island was well received by the

local residents. Last year, the two

organisations worked together again

to orchestrate Nature and Life

floral exhibition for the third time

rwhich ran from 5 to 7 November

2010, at the same time celebrating

the 30th anniversary of the Ikebana

Association. At the exhibition, 28

pieces from three distinct factions

were up for display.

The curator of Fo Guang Yuan

Art Gallery South Island Venerable

Abbess Manshin and the Japanese

Diplomat Mr Shoichi Kawai were

invited to the ribbon cutting and

gave speeches during the opening

ceremony. Along with the 50 guests

present that day, President of the

Canterbury Horticulture Association,

Chairperson and the Second Chair

person of the Garden City Trust as

well as the Former Presidents of

the Ikebana Association were also

present.

The President of the Ikebana

Association in his speech thanked

the gallery for the provision of

exhibition space and the opportunity

to work together to organise the

exhibition while Curator Venerable

Abbess Manshin also presented

a series of articles written by

Venerable Master Hsing Yun,

Founder of Fo Guang Shan

Buddhist Order, which outlined the

characteristics of flowers and its

interaction with life and mentioned

the close relationship between

the theme of this exhibition and

the architecture of the Temple. Mr

Kawai also expressed his gratitude

for having the opportunity of being a

tutor for many years and for the co

operation between himself and the

association.

Visitors that day were able

to appreciate the elegance and

beauty of the simplistic floral

arrange ments. The ceremony then

concluded with a lunch service in

the Water Drop Cafe to celebrate

the 30th anniversary of the Ikebana

Association.

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On 6 November 2010, 25 year old Christchurch artist Dale Gallagher displayed his first public exhibition

at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery

South Island. Venerable Abbess

Manshin presided over the opening

ceremony as well as being one

of the VIP guests. Dales family

attended the opening ceremony

together with 50 other supporters,

including a couple of wellknown

local artists.


said that even though Dale is only

25 years old, he has excellent

observation of his environment. Day

by day his maturity is reflected in

his art, where he will develop into

an artist that produces even more

depth and life in his art. Dale is a

self taught New Zealand landscape

artist where his medium is acrylic.

He has never attended any art

classes.

The theme of his exhibition

was his favourite New Zealand

landscapes. He hopes that

audiences will feel like they are

looking at the real thing when

observing his art. Blown away by

his artwork were the words of many

of viewers and a number of pieces

were sold on the opening day. Dale

hopes that his art will be able to

touch the hearts of viewers over the

duration of his exhibition.

NEW ZEALAND YOUNG ARTISTDale Gallagher Exhibition

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EXHIBITION

AMAZINGSTONE TEAPOT

The famous Taiwanese stone carving artist Liao Tian Zhao exhibited over 90 stone teapots at Fo

Guang Yuan Art Gallery South

Island from 13 November 2010

to 31 March 2011. An opening

ceremony tea party was held on

13 November, attended by over

70 Friends of Fo Guang Yuan.

Presiding over the unveiling

ceremony were Venerable

Abbess Manshin, artist Liao Tian

Zhao, President of BLIA (South

Island) NZ Almeric Chang, local

artists Dale Gallagher and Gail

Batchelor.

After the ceremony, the artist

gave a demonstration of one

of his bird cry teapots; when

water is placed into the teapot

it emits a sound similar to the

song of a bird.

Liao Tian Zhao explained that

when he starts, he does not

have a predetermined design

in mind, but let the art develop

from the shape of the rock.

Therefore, different tools are

required for carving, sometimes

simple carvings are used to

show the original beauty of the

rock, while more time is spent

on other stones to merge the

design in mind with natural

beauty.

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Art SharingTHE OFThe Winter Warmth Morning Tea Party is an excellent way

for Friends of Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery to get together,

warm up and share their love and appreciation for art

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Friends of Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Christ church was established in January 2010. By the end of the year, there

were over 1000 members. On

the morning of 29 July, a Winter

Warmth morning tea party was

hosted to enable members to get

together and share their love for

art. Over 100 guests attended,

including many local artists.


gave an opening speech and

invited everyone to visit the

gallery more often

and enjoy upcoming

exhibitions. Mr Ron

Wright, President of

New Zealand Faberge

Egg Association, Ms

Shona Ross, President

of Canterbury Cake

Design Association,

25yearold artist Dale

Gallagher, Ms Lindley

Denie, Ms Ruth Town

and Mr Sam Lamberton brought

their art collections to share with

the other guests.

Of the guests that attended,

the eldest was 90 years old,

accompanied by her 70yearold

daughter. She said she came to

the gallery seven times to view

the Wonders of Embroidery Yao

Hong Ying Art Exhibition, bringing

different friends with her each time.

She felt very happy every time she

came to visit and thought of herself

as a professional tour guide for

the gallery. Tea and refreshments

prepared by Water Drop Cafe were

served, and everyone enjoyed the

lovely gathering. The guests voiced

their appreciation to Fo Guang Yuan

Art Gallery in hosting this Winter

Warmth morning tea party and

looked forward to more events in

the future.

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EARTHQUAKEChristchurchSPECIAL REPORT

A devastating and violent 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch at 12:51pm on 22 February 2011.

Significant aftershocks were felt

and buildings collapsed with people

trapped inside. The iconic 150 year

old Christchurch Cathedral had its

spire reduced to rubble. As at 14

March, 166 lives have been lost

with the final death toll expected to

be 180. In response to this disaster,

Fo Guang Shan South Island

immediately established the Fo

Guang Earth quake Relief Service

Centre which provided assistance

to earthquake victims in 6 key

areas:

1. Free hot meals from 10am

to 6pm

2. Free basic medical supplies

and cleaning items

3. Free internet for those

needing to contact family

and friends

4. Access to the Temples Main

Shrine for prayers

5. Establishment of donation

funds to help victims

6. Buddhist blessing services

The Centre opened on 24

February in a bid to help victims

recover faster from this enormous

tragedy. BLIA Headquarters

Secre tary General Venerable Tzu

Jung rendered her advice and

conveyed her condolences. BLIA

Oceania Deputy SecretaryGeneral

Venerable Yilai arrived in Christ

church from Australia on 1 March

and was extremely anxious about

the relief mission and a seminar

was held on the same day with

50 BLIA volunteers sharing and

providing updates on the progress

of the centres relief mission.

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EarthquakeChristchurch

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2010 blia volunteers activities report

Documents

spiritual preservation

environmental pollution

spiritual environment

pure environment

buddhist sutras

external environment

amitabha buddha

inner world