On August 27 2023, FGS NZ hosted the annual Sangha Day Celebration. BLIA North Island and South Island Chapter Directors and committee members warmly welcomed Venerable Abbess Manshin and Venerables to lead over 300 attendees in reciting the Ullambana Sutra for a grand celebration.
The celebration featured a performance by BLIA and YAD members from all chapters, portraying the remarkable story of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order. Through a blend of acting and singing, performers re-enacted the Venerable Master’s journey from his first arrival in Yilan and across five continents for more than 80 years, promoting and enlightening the world with humanistic Buddhism.
The atmosphere soared with the melody of the songs “Choir 1953”, “Song of the Dharma Propagator “, “Ode to the Master”, etc. With the pioneering spirit of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and spreading the Dharma still vividly in mind, the applause of gratitude from the attendees was never-ending. The event culminated in everyone standing and singing “Good to Have You” together, filling the main shrine with sincere confessions to Abbess and Venerables’ great kindness.
Abbess Manshin thanked Venerable Master Hsing Yun for leaving countless compassion-filled wisdoms for the people, especially the shared goal of “nurturing and promoting the faith of Humanistic Buddhism in the land of New Zealand, prioritizing Buddhism, Monasticism, Others and Buddhism undertaking is paramount.” Venerable Master taught us that “Faith should be genuine, moral, powerful, and humanistic.” On behalf of the monastic community, Abbess expresses gratitude to the Dharma protectors and devotees for their support in diligently contributing to Buddhism’s integration into New Zealand society.
The Presidents of both North and South Islands Chapters, Mr Bernie Siew and Ms Yulin Ku, expressed gratitude to all Venerables for their dedication, emphasizing the joyous spirit of Sangha Day. Everyone celebrated this event through dances, poems, dramas, and offerings. Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s tireless leadership has left a legacy of invaluable experiences and teachings. They hope everyone will carry forward the Venerable Master’s vision by shouldering the responsibility and selflessly cultivating Buddhism in New Zealand.