From 25th to 27th August 2026, nearly 150 Year 12 students from St Bede’s College visited Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Christchurch in groups for cultural exchange and religious learning. The visits were organised by the school’s Head of Religious Education, Grant Ven, to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the core teachings of Humanistic Buddhism and the values of the Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings.
During the visits, BLIA committee members guided the groups on a tour around the Temple and introduced the life and vision of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Founder of FGS Buddhist Order. Through his One Stroke Calligraphy and the Temple’s architectural concept, the students gained a deeper understanding of Venerable Master’s emphasis on education and his compassion and commitment to serving the community.
The students also watched The Life of the Buddha and learned about Bodhi Light Tales presented by the Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, which invited them to consider the question of how we take good care of our minds. They also experienced mindfulness meditation.
In the FGY Art Gallery, the students visited The Art of Noticing, a photography exhibition by the Christchurch Photographic Society. Exhibition Curator Penny Kennedy introduced the exhibition and encouraged students to consider how photographs could tell stories and reveal beauty from different perspectives in everyday life.
Grant Ven shared that the visits had allowed students to connect what they had learned in the classroom with real-life experiences. He expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and thoughtful arrangements by the Temple team, describing the visits as a valuable spiritual learning experience for both students and teachers.
For many students, this was their first visit to a Buddhist Temple. Students commented on the Temple’s peaceful environment and expressed interest in the Three Acts of Goodness, and hoped to apply these principles in their daily lives.
Founded in 1911, St Bede’s College is a Catholic boys’ secondary school in Christchurch with a strong Marist tradition. Named after the English scholar and saint St Bede, the College places faith and learning at the centre of its education and aims to develop students of character, faith and leadership who can contribute positively to society.
