On 16th August 2025, the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Auckland held the opening ceremony for the first session of the 9th Art Salon. The event was graced by more than 200 guests, including Curator Abbess Manshin of FGY Art Gallery NZ, MP for Takanini Rima Nakhle, Director General Kendra CHEN of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland, Chair Damian Light of the Howick Local Board, General Manager Jim WANG of China Airlines NZ, BLIA North Island President Evelyn Ku, BLIA Chief Advisor Lintao YU, along with representatives from politics, education and the arts. Together they celebrated the grand opening, featuring over 400 works created by 115 local artists.
The Curator, Abbess Manshin expressed gratitude to the Founder of Fo Guang Shan, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, for his vision of Humanistic Buddhism centred on humanity and for his legacy of the spirit of Giving. Dr Jennifer Hauraki, Clinical Director of Psychology at Counties Manukau Health, offered a Māori blessing, while MP Nakhle conveyed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s sincere appreciation to the Temple.
Abbess praised the artists as diamonds of the community, noting that each year the Art Salon showcases how artists sincerely weave the fabric of their lives into their works, constantly breaking boundaries and realising their potential. Abbess emphasised that the FGY Art Gallery is a cultural platform bequeathed to New Zealand by the Founding Master, where the wisdom of emptiness can be experienced as a source of transformation, creativity, progress and hope. Abbess also thanked the dedicated team for their tireless efforts and expressed appreciation to all for supporting the integration of art into everyday life.
MP Nakhle highlighted that at the Temple, harmony is not a noun but a verb — something practised through community activities. From the 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing education programme to the Art Salon, she observed how the Abbess’s leadership has created a ripple effect in nurturing youth and offering artists new platforms — a true call to hope and a celebration of life’s beauty. Chairperson Light remarked that the Temple is located in a community reflecting NZ’s diverse character, and that art possesses a special power to unite people. He commended the Temple for building bridges through art, allowing local artists to be recognised and appreciated, and affirmed that the Temple has become a true treasure of the community.
Director General CHEN expressed her honour at witnessing the Art Salon’s continuous growth, with more artists, more diverse works and greater public participation each year. She thanked the Temple team for their hard work, from meticulous planning to thoughtful exhibition design, creating a vibrant artistic space. Artist and university lecturer Colin Verner shared that this was his first time participating in the exhibition, and he was deeply moved by the warmth and harmony he felt at the Temple, saying that art has the power to awaken resonance within people. Artist Tom Somerville reflected that the Temple provides a unique platform for participation, and each time he returns, he feels a sense of tranquillity and familiarity. Guests were also delighted by the vegetarian refreshments, describing every detail of the hospitality as a highlight.
The first session of The 9th Art Salon runs from 16th August to 27th September 2025, with the second session scheduled from 9th October to 22nd November. Showcasing more than ten different artistic styles, the exhibition extends from the gallery through the corridors and into the Garden, transforming the Temple into a magnificent art hall. The Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery is open to the public to experience the brilliance of local artists and share in the harmony and inspiration that art brings.