Venkat Raman (Indian Newslink)
Auckland, February 11, 2018
Kindness towards all beings, realisation of the self, doing good to others and cleanliness of thought and expression were among the highlights of the ‘Annual Reunion Dinner’ held at ‘Fo Guan Shan,’ the Buddhist Temple and Community Centre located at the East Auckland suburb of Flat Bush.
About 1000 men and women of varied faiths attending the event held on Tuesday, February 11, 2018, the day which also witnessed Waitangi Day celebrations throughout the country, notably in Waitangi.
Developing strong faith
Venerable Manshin, the Abbess at the Buddhist Monastery, said that as well as understanding Buddha’s teachings, people should develop strong faith from challenges and help each other, follow peaceful co-existence and encourage the promotion of ‘Humanistic Buddhism.’
She said that ‘Humanistic Buddhism’ encompasses all Buddhist teachings and the goal is to achieve harmonious living.
Humanistic Buddhism enables people to live like ‘Bodhisattvas,’ as energetic, enlightened and endearing persons who strive to help all sentient beings liberate themselves.
Caring for all
“It focuses on issues of the world rather than on how to leave the world behind; on caring for the living, rather than the dead; on benefitting others, rather than benefitting oneself and on universal salvation, rather than cultivation for only oneself.”
Buddhism preaches good human values, promotes goodwill and understanding and leads to enlightenment, which does not mean ‘getting away from it all.’
Other Speakers
Among the other speakers at the function were National MP (elected from Botany) Jami-Lee Ross, Race Relations Commissioner Susan Devoy, Counties Manukau Police Area Commander (Manukau East) Wendy Spiller, ‘Fo Guang Shan’ Lintao Yu and Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) President Steven Xu.
Cultural Programme
Accompanying the dinner was a variety of dance and song numbers performed by the Buddhist community in Auckland and devotees attending ‘Fo Guan Shan’ Temple.
They included Lion Dance, other dances depicting the Tang Dynasty, Flower Charm (Korean), Xinjiang (Anamuhan), and performances by the members of BLIA.
However, the ‘Face Changing’ Dance by Sichuan Opera received thunderous applause.
Known as ‘Bian Lian,’ it is an art form which uses multiple masks to create the illusion of rapidly changing expressions.
Pakuranga resident Jason Wu has mastered the art.
‘Bian Lian’ was used in China several centuries ago to depict different characters in Sichuan Opera performances, gradually becoming a separate art form, which was transferred from master to student.
The skill is so highly priced that ‘Bian Lian’ is listed as a National Secret by the Chinese Government. It was not allowed to be performed by non-Chinese for long.
Human landmark
Located on a sprawling 3.6 hectares of land in Flat Bush, East Auckland, the Fo Guang Shan Temple is the largest Buddhist Temple in New Zealand. Designed in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, the Temple took seven years and $20 million to build. It includes a ten-foot high Jade statue of Buddha (made in Burma and Taiwan), weighing eight tons and a two-ton bell.
Opened in 2007, the Temple aims to promote Humanistic Buddhism. Its activities include crime prevention talks, courses on Yoga, Martial Arts, Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Language, social and community service and other issues of interest.
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- Abbess Manshin and guests at the Prayer Meeting before the Annual Reunion Dinner on February 6, 2018
- ‘Miao Dance Sun Durum’ performed by members of the BLIA at the Annual Reunion Dinner on February 6, 2018
(Pictures by Nick Yoong, Fo Guan Shan New Zealand)
