On 25th November 2025, 50 Catholic school religious education leaders from across New Zealand visited Fo Guang Shan Christchurch for an inspiring interfaith dialogue to enhance greater understanding and interaction. The delegation was warmly received by Fo Guang Shan New Zealand, Abbess Manshin and BLIA South Island Chapter committees.
The visit formed part of the National Catholic Religious Studies Conference, a biennial event hosted this year by the Christchurch Catholic Diocesan at St Thomas of Canterbury College. Under the coordination of Stephen Kennedy, Director of Religious Studies, three groups of teachers came to explore the Humanistic Buddhism values and to engage in dialogue across religious traditions.
During the visit, participants watched a video report featuring the Head Abbot of FGS Buddhist Order, Most Venerable Hsin Bau and Secretary General of BLIA World Headquarters, Venerable Jue Pei attending the Vatican’s 60th anniversary celebration of Nostra Aetate (Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions) in October 2025. The teachers were moved by the spirit of harmony shown between global religious leaders and Pope Leo XIV and acknowledged with appreciation FGS’s continued efforts in promoting dialogue and understanding among different faiths.
Abbess Manshin praised the teachers for their passion and dedication, shared that everyone is like a diamond, possessing the potential to shine through self-cultivation and wisdom. Abbess thanked the teachers for helping shape a better society and shared the joy of recently attending a traditional Māori Pōwhiri welcome ceremony at the O Wairoa Marae, symbolising over twenty years of friendship between FGS NZ and the Māori people.
During the Q&A session, Thomas Newton from Villa Maria College raised the question of how to help students find calm amid the fast pace of modern life. Abbess Manshin encouraged the practice of mindfulness meditation by focusing on the breathing to calm the mind. The Abbess also mentioned the 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing, where hundreds of students experience peace and quiet through meditation, impressing their teachers with the results.
Stephen Woodnutt from Catholic Cathedral College expressed curiosity about the many Buddha statues surrounding the Shrine. Abbess explained that Buddhism teaches equality which means everyone can become a Buddha through continuous learning and self-improvement. Just as students can become teachers through diligence, all beings can reach enlightenment through effort and wisdom.
A student from St Thomas, Jeno Chae, asked whether animals also possess Buddha nature. Abbess replied that although humans and animals appear in different forms, all beings share the same Buddha nature and therefore everyone should practise compassion and respect for all life.
Teachers expressed that the visit deepened their insight into Buddhism. The Temple gifted booklets and calendars, with some teachers showing interest in obtaining 60 copies of The Four Noble Truths. Tony Mullally, one of the group leaders, noted that it had been 15 years since the national conference was last held in Christchurch and expressed gratitude to the Temple team for their warm hospitality and thought-provoking dialogue, which left all participants deeply inspired.