The second day of the “3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing” in FGS South Island falls on 22 May with around 180 students from Hornby High School with the guidance of assistant principal Mr S. Scott and teachers. They were all warmly welcomed by Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand (NZ) Abbess Venerable Manshin, FGS South Island Minister-In-Charge Venerable Juexi, Venerable Zhiwu, Fo Guang Yuan Sydney Supervisor Venerable Ruyi and other Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) volunteers that summed up to 19 people.
With the lead of all venerable and BLIA members, they were shared on how to show the lotus hand sign and the meaning of “Ji Xiang” which interprets to auspicious greetings in Chinese, additionally getting to know the Chinese culture better. BLIA South Island NZ Deputy President Ding Lihson and Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Christchurch Coordinator Vicky Han brought the visitors for a temple tour, the way of Buddha Bathing, lotus origami, getting 3G4G water tattoo and most importantly understanding the essence of “3 Goodness and 4 Giving”. Besides getting examples of putting 3G4G in action, students were also showed a video of the “Life of Buddha” and practicing basic sitting meditation.
Canterbury NZ Police were also there to support the festival by interacting with the students with role plays on how to choose in between conscience and temptation connecting to the “3 Goodness and 4 Giving” in daily lives. The students were also given a chance to wear police uniforms giving them a feeling of being a police officer.
The abbess has also shared information to the Canterbury NZ Police that FGS North Island organized the 3G4G festival in the past four years and continued this year’s event with a total of 6000 students participating. The purpose of the activity is to initiate heartfelt thoughts through a relaxed and lively interactive sharing and the continuation of the “3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing” in the future should progress for students to build better societies. The abbess then presented the “366 Days with Wisdom” books authored by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.
School teachers all admired the sharing of the festival and it is worthy of their reference. They have expressed interest to be back next year to participate.
