From 20th to 22nd May 2025, Fo Guang Shan Christchurch hosted the 11th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing, welcoming nearly 300 students and teachers from Wharenui School, Hornby High School and Te Komanawa Rowley School for an inspiring journey at the Temple.
The 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing, which highlighted the values of Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings was launched in 2014 under the guidance of Abbess Manshin, FGS NZ . The program featured a diverse range of activities, including: watching The Life of the Buddha movie, guided temple tours, mindfulness meditation, making lotus origami, striking the Happiness Bell, and calligraphy experience. A new addition this year were Bodhi Light Tales, meaningful stories produced by the Humanistic Buddhism Research Institute and a special new song titled We Got It, composed by President Jenny CHEN of the BLIA New York Chapter, designed to inspire students through interactive singing and movement.
BLIA members warmly welcomed the visiting students and teachers. The Temple also prepared Three Goodness Hash Browns while the activity facilitators Deirdre Johns and Paul Coleman, encouraged students to overcome challenges by practising the Three Acts of Goodness in daily life. As a gesture of encouragement, the Temple presented all students and teachers with bookmarks featuring the Founder of the FGS Buddhist Order, Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Wise Words, 3G pencils and jigsaw puzzles.
Students from Rowley and Wharenui Schools performed a song to thank the Temple Team in a good gesture. Many teachers, students and parents shared heartfelt reflections on social media. Principal of Te Komanawa Rowley School, Graeme Norman noted that this was the school’s fourth visit, and he personally leads the students each time. He praised the 3G4G Festival as a joyful and uplifting program with clear, impactful values and expressed his gratitude to the Temple.
One of the teachers from Hornby High School, Katie Phelan shared that students learned about the Buddha’s life through the movie and learned to integrate the Three Acts of Goodness into daily lives. She looks forward to participating again next year. Fellow teacher Philip Shadwell said the calligraphy session helped students find calm and stillness. Teacher Ashleigh Kerin, the Team Leader from Wharenui School appreciated the invitation and was delighted to see students fully engaged. Making the lotus origami was their favourite activity as lotus’s symbolism of growing untainted from the mud offered deep inspiration. Student Katherine shared that every part of the experience was memorable and she hopes to return with her family in the future.
FGS NZ continues to uphold the vision of the Founding Master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun by transforming Temples into educational spaces and sowing seeds of kindness and wisdom in the community. Guided by the values of 3G4G, students are inspired to make a positive impact and contribute to a better world.