On 31 May 2025, the BLIA South Island NZ Chapter hosted the Oceania Dharma Symposium, titled Tracing the Footsteps of the Patriarch, Walking the Path of Wisdom by Venerable Huizhuan, the Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Qishan Buddhist Center, Taiwan. FGS New Zealand Abbess Manshin and Minister in Charge of FGS Christchurch, Venerable Juexi led over a hundred BLIA members from both the North and South Islands. More than a hundred attendees participated online, including members from various BLIA Oceania Chapters.
Venerable Huizhuan recalled that he often accompanied his mother to various temples since childhood, but never felt a strong connection. Until one day, he personally heard Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teaching urging everyone to immediately take up the commitment: I am Buddha. The teaching revealed to him that Buddhism is truly alive in the human world. This teaching also laid the foundation for his later decision to be ordained. The health condition of both his mother and himself further deepened his understanding of impermanence. In his search for the meaning of life, he read many of Master Hsing Yun’s writings and eventually chose the monastic path as a way to repay his mother’s kindness.
Venerable Huizhuan had served in the Taiwan FGS Monastery Dining Hall for over a decade and regarded it as the true beginning of his spiritual practice. The words from Venerable Master Hsing Yun—This pot of soup is peace of mind, is compassion—awakened him to the understanding that washing pots and chopping vegetables are not just chores, but meaningful acts of service. He shared that during the Buddhist Relic Installation to the Underground Palace of the Buddha Museum, over 3,000 people had registered for meal service, but nearly 18,000 people eventually showed up. Despite the challenge, Venerable Huizhuan did not panic, but calmly sought solutions to ensure everyone had food to eat.
Venerable Huizhuan shared the experience of preparing 600,000 lunch boxes during the Buddha Museum’s opening week. The Venerable Master instructed that each box should include seven dishes and be prepared as respectfully as an offering to the Sangha. Although it was a huge task that averaged 120,000 lunch boxes a day, Venerable Huizhuan took full responsibility and completed it faithfully, bringing joy to all who attended.
Venerable Huizhuan shared that Venerable Master experienced war and poverty in his youth and was often looked down on during his early monastic life. Yet his mother’s words—Get motivated, don’t get agitated, inspired him to turn hardship into compassion and keep improving with perseverance. Initially, Venerable Huizhuan was motivated by pride, but gradually, he learned to follow the Master’s example and strive with compassion and wisdom instead.
Through his calm voice and well-structured sharing, Venerable Huizhuan conveyed his journey of growth under the guidance of Venerable Master. His stories and inner transformation resonated with the audience, bringing everyday life and spiritual practice to life.
Abbess Manshin expressed heartfelt gratitude to Venerable Huizhuan for sharing his valuable personal journey. Abbess encouraged everyone to use Dharma to transform oneself and to work through challenges while still young. Venerable Juexi also thanked Venerable Huizhuan for his sincere sharing and encouraged everyone to shine quietly rather than seek attention. She urged all to strive with compassion and wisdom, for the benefit of others. Everyone should apply the Dharma in daily life and learn how to turn around when facing difficulties.
After the talk, several BLIA members shared their reflections. BLIA South Island Subchapter Elder Advisor CAO Qian recalled that while her ten years of service at the Temple may now seem smooth, it came with many challenges. She shared her experience of overseeing meals during the ANZBYC youth conference, starting at 4am and working until night. It was Venerable Juexi’s reminder- Learn how to turn around, that inspired her to apply the Dharma in overcoming challenges.
Another BLIA South Island Subchapter Elder Advisor Louisa KUO, shared that Venerable Huizhuan’s humorous yet heartfelt talk showed that spiritual cultivation is not limited to chanting or meditation, but can be practised in everyday movements. The Humanistic Buddhism advocated by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, can be applied in everyday life.
BLIA North Island Chapter President Evelyn KU remarked that after years of life experience, Venerable Huizhuan has transformed the literary teachings of Venerable Master into practical wisdom. She thanked Abbess Manshin and the Venerables for their guidance, noting that the FGS community provides valuable opportunities for spiritual growth and self-discovery.
Throughout the talk, attendees from both North and South Islands experienced great Dharma joy, with many moved to tears. They expressed gratitude for Venerable Huizhuan’s heartfelt sharing, which helped them better understand how to apply the Dharma wisdom in daily life.