On 22nd March 2018, BLIA South Malaysia Advisor Steven Shum together with 5 other members of his family visited Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island. On hand to welcome the visitors were FGS South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi, BLIA South Island members Tracy Chen, Kok Wei Low and Vicky Han. Advisor Shum, in his conversation, told the hosts that prior to this visit, on 10th March 2018, they have already visited FGS North Island and paid homage to FGS New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin. On that visit, he was fortunate to be able to meet members of University of Auckland Fo Guang Club whereby he managed to share with the students his ideas and ideals on Buddha’s Light’s developments.
Advisor Shum and his family first went to the Buddha Hall to perform lights offering. This was followed by the introduction by Venerable JueXi on the architecture of the Temple building. Next, they were taken to Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Christchurch where they toured the ‘Wood-Firing Ceramics Exhibition’ by artist Huang Da An. Venerable Jue Xi explained to the visitors that each individual piece of artifact by artist Huang displays a distinctive style of its own. It takes 21 days of wood-firing to produce a single art piece, combining the elements of fire, water and earth in the process. Very often, the unpredictable lines and patterns of the finished product even surprise the artist himself, Advisor Shum praised the simple and yet solid architecture of the Temple building. He specially mentioned the successful blending of water channels with the main building. Only through very serious and solemn design could such desired effect be achieved.
Advisor Shum was full of praises for BLIA NZ members over their project in the distribution of “366 Days With Wisdom” to motels in New Zealand. Such activity not only shares Master Hsing Yun’s wisdom with the travelers, but also imparts positivity in them. Advisor Sim recalled that in their tour of New Zealand, they have come across the book “366” being displayed in the motels. This has made him very happy. He professed to continue supporting the printing of the book. Advisor Sim also shared his experience as the President of BLIA South Malaysia. How he was transformed from someone who had no knowledge of Buddhism in the beginning to now becoming the advisor practicing Humanistic Buddhism daily. Humanistic Buddhism has indeed changed his life. He thanked Venerable Abbess for giving him the opportunity and responsibility to participate in the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism.
The visit ended with Venerable Jue Xi presenting to the visitors the “FGS NZ 10th Anniversary Report” and wishing them a happy journey home. Venerable also hoped that Advisor Shum will continue his support for FGS Hsing Ma Temple in its propagation of Humanistic Buddhism.
