On 14th August 2025, 85 Year 12 students and 4 teachers from St Thomas of Canterbury College, a Catholic boys’ high school in Christchurch, visited FGS Christchurch for a religious and cultural exchange. The visit was arranged by the school’s Head of Religious Studies, Stephen Kennedy and warmly welcomed by BLIA members.
Each year, St Thomas organises such visits to help students gain a deeper understanding of other faiths. Through learning about the Buddhist principles of Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings, students are encouraged to develop positive values that support their personal growth.
The group was guided by Deirdre Johns, a committee member of BLIA South Island, on a temple tour and enjoyed the Harmony & Hue oil painting exhibition at the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Christchurch. Monastics then led students in watching The Life of the Buddha, practicing Tai Chi, experiencing meditation, and learning about Humanistic Buddhism’s core values.
For many students, this was their first visit to a Buddhist temple. They expressed excitement at the opportunity to learn about a different faith and to explore such a beautiful place in their community. Teacher Bernie Lee shared that stepping into the temple immediately brought a sense of joy, while Director of Pastoral Care Billy Gulliver said the meditation practice was very relaxing and appreciated the thoughtful program. Teacher Yvonne praised the art gallery as a cultural platform and looked forward to returning for future exhibitions. The Temple also prepared gifts of pencils and bookmarks as souvenirs for students.