Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland hosted a Dharma lecture on 4th November 2026, featuring Venerable Manchien, Director of the Fo Guang Shan Overseas Supervisory Council. The Dharma talk titled The Avatamsaka Sutra and Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism, explored how Buddhist wisdom can be applied in daily life to develop our inner potential. Nearly 300 people joined in person and online, including Abbess Manshin of Fo Guang Shan New Zealand; Deputy Director Lintao YU of BLIA Buddhist Technology Development Committee, BLIA North Island President Yulin KU, Director Anson LIN and BLIA members.
Venerable Manchien introduced the Avatamsaka Sutra, known as the King of Sutras, and explained its teachings of One is All, and All is One and Oneness and Coexistence. These teachings remind us that all life is connected and that harmony comes from understanding and respecting one another. Venerable Master brought these teachings into everyday life, encouraging everyone to practise kindness, compassion and respect for others.
The Venerable explained that everyone has Buddha nature and the potential to develop wisdom and compassion. By letting go of attachments and negative thoughts, we can discover our inner strengths. Venerable Manchien encouraged everyone to make good use of their abilities, share kindness and bring light to others.
Through the story of Sudhana’s visits to 53 spiritual teachers, the Venerable highlighted that learning and spiritual practice are not limited to the Temple. Everyone we meet can be our teacher, and daily life offers many opportunities to practise the Dharma. This reflects the Venerable Master’s teaching of serving the community, caring for others and building a harmonious society.
The lecture also highlighted how Venerable Master put his teachings into practice through the Three Acts of Goodness, Four Givings and Five Harmonies.By doing good deeds, saying good words, thinking good thoughts and helping others, we can create happiness and harmony in our families and communities. True wealth comes not from material possessions, but from a caring heart and a meaningful life.
Venerable Manchien also encouraged everyone to recognise the Buddha nature in others, develop kindness, build positive connections and help one another. By practising these values, we can grow in wisdom and compassion while creating a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Abbess Manshin thanked Venerable Manchien for sharing valuable Dharma teachings and encouraged everyone to visit the Temple regularly, follow Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teachings of wisdom and compassion, and embrace the spirit of giving to enrich their lives and unlock their inner potential.
