Tamiaho Herangi-Searancke, a respected Toa Rangatira (first warrior) and cultural guardian of the Māori people, visited Fo Guang Shan Auckland on 2nd & 6th December 2025. During his visits, he offered a treasured piece of pounamu (greenstone) and led a respectful Māori Haka war dance to pay respect to the Triple Gem and to the Founder of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. This profound spiritual offering, bridging race, religion and culture was warmly received by Abbess Manshin of FGS NZ, Venerable Rulian, BLIA North Island Chapter President Evelyn KU and Chief Advisor Lintao YU.
During his first visit, Tamiaho presented “Tatau Pounamu – The Door of Peace”, a greenstone symbolising unity, which had been passed down to him from his grandmother. He expressed joy in finally bringing the sacred stone “home” and offered prayers in te reo Māori, hoping the ancestral spirit within the jade would radiate wisdom and light within all hearts.
Tamiaho shared that he had received spiritual guidance from his Māori ancestors, instructing him to seek a pure stream, formed through patience, humility and gratitude, that flows across the land and merges into the river of the Triple Gem, which is called Foguang. Following this vision, Tamiaho discovered Fo Guang Shan Auckland and visited the Temple. In return, Abbess Manshin gifted him the 366 Days with Wisdom book, written by the Founding Master. Abbess expressed hope that visitors to the Temple would rediscover their inner peace amid nature and simplicity. Tamiaho recited a quote from the book: “A correct belief in religion is joyful, for the future will be bright.” He described the Temple’s ambience as peaceful and uplifting.
On 6th December, Tamiaho led 14 elite Māori warriors to the Temple. With a full traditional ceremony, they performed the Haka in reverence to the Triple Gem and to the Founding Master, demonstrating a deep respect and harmony between Humanistic Buddhism and indigenous culture.
Holding the Toki Poutangata, a ceremonial axe symbolising leadership, Tamiaho led the warriors through the courtyard and into the Main Shrine, where they brandished traditional Taiaha and performed a powerful Haka. Their intention was to honour the Buddha and the ancestral Māori spirits, invoking truth, righteousness and faith to guide future generations and awaken humility, remembrance and awareness. Venerable Rulian and Venerable Miaoyu led a chanting session of the Medicine Buddha Mantra, dedicating merits and blessings to the visiting warriors.
Chief Advisor YU and Deputy President Nick YOONG guided the group through the One-Stroke Calligraphy Exhibition. The warriors admired how the Venerable Master’s single-brush calligraphy conveyed pure, kind thoughts and left a lasting impact. In the Prince Siddhartha Exhibition, the warriors drew the Venerable Master’s wise words: “Faith, honesty, perseverance and courage are assets for starting a venture. Delay, avoidance, blame and resentment are roots of failure.” They embraced this message as both encouragement and blessing.
The Māori warriors expressed their deep appreciation for the compassion and wisdom of Fo Guang Shan. They hoped to travel to the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in 2026 to participate in the Where Buddha Meet the Gods Festival, further strengthening interfaith and intercultural harmony. As a token of goodwill, the Temple gifted them blessing threads by the Medicine Buddha, along with delicious vegetarian snacks and Laba congee, creating a lasting spiritual connection.