2023 Multicultural Buddha’s Birthday Blessing Ceremony for World Peace and Memorial service for Venerable Master Hsing Yun was held on 15th April in Fo Guang Shan Christchurch. It attended by more than 100 people from the political, racial, religious, artistic, and community sectors, as well as Buddhist Light International Association (BLIA) members and the general public. Honourable Guests included People’s Republic of China Consul General in Christchurch, He Ying, Dean of Christchurch Cathedral, Very Revd Lawrence Kimberley, Maori Elder Arapata Reuben, Reverend Andrew Donaldson, Christchurch City Councillors and former New Zealand Police Superintendent Virginia Le Bas.
The ceremony began with Scottish bagpipes, and the Fo Guang Shan NZ Abbess Manshin led the guests to their seats. First, Maori Elder Arapata Reuben offered a blessing in Maori, followed by the Abbess leading the congregation in chanting sutras, and representatives of various religions successively offered blessings for world peace. During the ceremony, a video was shown about Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s life and achievements, and BLIA Youth Adult Division (YAD) and HwaHsin Choir sang songs such as An Eternal Star, Light a Lamp, Hsing Yun, and Love and Peace to praise the late Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The atmosphere was warm and touching.
Abbess Manshin represented the temple in donating NZD 50,000 to the rebuilding of the Christchurch Cathedral after the earthquake. The donation was accepted by Very Revd Lawrence Kimberley, who expressed surprise and gratitude for the selfless donation across religions, which is of extraordinary significance to the cathedral’s reconstruction.
Abbess recalled Master Hsing Yun’s teachings and philosophy of Giving throughout his life, always praising and fulfilling others’ wishes. Master’s whole life just like the Chinese poem Mindful of the compassion for all, wishing to be like the Dharma Ocean without being bound by the boat. Asked what I seek in my lifetime, may peace and happiness shine throughout the world, which is Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s reminder to disciples and the blessings to everyone.
Consul General He Ying expressing his admiration for Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s noble spirit and character, and conveyed her deepest condolences in her speech. She expressed gratitude for the temple’s efforts in the contribution to the community as various activities held by the Temple have followed Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teachings to build a harmonious society.
During the ceremony, Abbess presented each guest and the public with an apple, symbolizing Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s compassion and care for everyone and representing his spirit will forever live in the hearts of the people.
Apart from bathing the Buddha for blessings, there were many other exciting activities on the day, including a special exhibition in memory of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, light offering, flower offering, sutra transcription, exhibition of Tang Wenjun’s blue dyeing works, tea ceremony, vegetarian food fair, and the Buddha’s Light Baby Blessing Ceremony. This year, nearly 40 parents registered their babies for the Baby Blessing Ceremony. Some parents had participated in the ceremony while pregnant with their babies and now they bring their babies back to receive the blessings, which is very meaningful. Merida from Germany said that she had never experienced a similar blessing ceremony in her own country, and it was very meaningful to let her two children participate and experience the cultural etiquette of different religions. Vickey Lu from China said that participating in the blessing ceremony reminded her of the prayer ceremony she had attended in her home country, and she was deeply moved when holding her baby to receive the purification from the abbot. She hoped that her child would receive the Buddha’s blessings and have a strong faith in their growth.
Under the guidance of Abbess Manshin, the Fo Guang Shan Christchurch successfully completed the 2023 Multicultural Buddha’s Birthday Blessing Ceremony for World Peace and Memorial service for Venerable Master Hsing Yun, which inspires Giving spirit to benefits the society and brings blessings to all.