The 13th World Choir Games 2024 were held grandly in Auckland, New Zealand from 10 to 20 July. Over 200 choirs with more than 10,000 participants from around the globe attend, including nine choirs from Taiwan, comprising about 400 people. On 18 July, over 80 members of the Nibun Chorus from Liugui, Kaohsiung, Taiwan visited the Fo Guang Shan Auckland Temple at the invitation of Advisor Meggan LAM of BLIA North Island. They were warmly received by FGS Auckland Venerable Rulian, Chief Advisor Jennifer LIANG of BLIA North Island Chapter and the Team.
Abbess Manshin of FGS NZ had commitments at the Christchurch Temple, she expressed her concern for the choir through a video call, informing the Auckland team to prepare a delicious meal to uplift the group. Abbess hoped the meal would rejuvenate them, filling them with confidence and joy for the next day’s competition, encouraging the choir to offer their best performance on stage. Each member also received a blessing apple, wishing for a safe journey.
Choir conductor Jun-Zhi CHEN shared his annual visits to Fo Guang Shan Headquarter at Kaohsiung for the Chinese New Year Lantern Festival, expressing his surprise and delight at finding a similar sense of home in New Zealand. He was moved by the Temple’s hospitality, which provided them with much-needed blessings and energy, especially resonating with wise words from the Venerable Master: Money can buy slaves but not affection; Money can buy people but not hearts. Conductor Chen shared that many choir members were survivors of the Morakot typhoon, and their growth over the past 15 years was full of challenges. He encouraged the group to cherish all affinities and bring this positive energy to their performance. One student recounted being rescued by helicopter during the typhoon and brought to Fo Guang Shan, expressing gratitude for the Temple’s care.
Nick Yoong of the BLIA North Island Chapter led the group for a Temple tour, highlighting the local contributions of FGS New Zealand, allowing the visitors to experience the cultural atmosphere of the Temple. As they walked along the courtyard, they felt transported back to Taiwan, exclaiming, It’s so beautiful, just like being at home. They learned that the vibrant colours of the Prince Siddhartha Exhibition were the result of countless individual wishes and contributions, inspiring everyone to fill out wishing cards and draw wise words from Venerable Master Hsing Yun. They then watched a video of Venerable Master’s calligraphy, gaining insights into the Founding Master of Fo Guang Shan. Nick shared that the Grand Master often said do not look at my calligraphy, but look at my heart, comparing it to the choir’s heartfelt singing that transcends beyond languages and touches everyone.
The students thanked the Temple for the delightful dinner, expressing how it tasted like a home-cooked meal. Before departing, they performed a beautiful choral piece as a gesture of gratitude to the Temple. Venerable Rulian presented the students with New Zealand propolis candy, beautiful pencils and bookmarks, encouraging them to practise the principles of Three Acts of Goodness & Four Givings and to live by the Five Harmonies for a happy and fulfilling life. She wished the choir the best in spreading pure, sincere and beautiful music to the world and achieving outstanding results in the competition.
On 20 July, the Nibun Chorus brought exciting news, winning two gold medals in the categories of Folk and Indigenous Music with Accompaniment and Contemporary Mixed Voice Music. Their melodious singing, like the voice of heaven, amazed the judges. The students also recorded a video to thank Fo Guang Shan and express their gratitude for the blessings that made their journey successful.