The annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Fo Guang Shan Auckland Temple was held on 9th November 2024, attracting over 3,000 attendees to the joyful festival. The organisers prepared activities including the Baby and Children’s Blessing Ceremony, artists’ live demonstration and sharing, local market stalls, a vintage car show and mindfulness tea meditation.
In the Art Salon exhibition, 15 local artists hosted live demonstrations and workshops, showcasing diverse creative styles ranging from oil painting, ceramics, watercolours and more. Visitors were captivated by the artistic process and expressed admiration for the displays. The day featured the Artists Insight Forum, with the Curator Abbess Manshin of FGY Art Gallery NZ, painters Holly Clarke, Vanessa Narbey, Sherrill Bentley, Ian Anderson, ceramic artist Richard Monk and Auckland Vintage Car President Shaaran Price. The discussion delved into their experiences and connections with FGY Art Gallery. Artist Holly Clarke expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “Everyone at the Temple is incredibly welcoming. I deeply appreciate Fo Guang Shan for bringing creativity and warmth to the community and touching the hearts of all. I feel very fortunate to have had this experience.”
A vibrant local market was held at the Temple, featuring 28 vendors offering unique vegetarian delicacies, handmade goods and artistic creations. The market buzzed with activity as crowds flowed in continuously. Stallholders were busy attending to customers, beamed with joy and some food items sold out quickly. Meanwhile, the Mindfulness Tea Meditation took place at the Cloud Corner, where tea practitioners guided participants through meditation, flower offerings, and tea appreciation of the beauty of tea leaves. Participants shared that the tea meditation brought them inner peace and calm amid the busyness of life.
In addition, four vintage car clubs from Auckland joined the celebration, including the Auckland Vintage Car Club, Rover Car Club, Auckland Triumph Car Club and Austin Flying ‘A’ Car Club, showcasing a stunning display of classic vehicles. President Sharaan Price of the Auckland Vintage Car Club appreciates the Temple’s ongoing community engagement events. She highlighted the Temple support for the Daffodil Day event in August 2024, which raised funds for the New Zealand Cancer Society, spreading positivity and joy within the community.
Abbess Manshin of FGS NZ, quoted the teachings of the Founder Venerable Master saying, The future world will be one of service. Abbess thanked the team for serving the public with joy and dedication, creating happiness and fulfilment for all who visit the Temple.