With the first rays of the New Year’s sunrise, on the early morning of 1 January 2026, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland held a New Year pilgrimage and Sutra Transcription. More than 200 devotees, led by the monastics, practised the three steps and one prostration towards the Main Shrine, welcoming the rising sun and praying for world peace and family harmony.
FGS NZ Abbess Manshin led the assembly in chanting the Heart Sutra and recited the Prayer for Pilgrimage by the Founder of the FGS Buddhist Order, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Drawing on the Founding Master’s couplet for the Year of the Horse, Harmony and Coexistence, Galloping Towards Success, Abbess explained that the horse symbolises goodness and success, and that harmony is the foundation of all that is good. Abbess expressed gratitude for the Founding Master’s teaching on the Five Harmonies: harmony within oneself, harmony in the family, harmony between people, harmony in society and harmony in the world. All begin with self-cultivation and lead to coexistence, shared prosperity and sustainable development. The Abbess encouraged everyone to welcome the New Year with kind thoughts to create a harmonious society and a bright future.
The Temple offered steamed buns and Laba congee to nourish both body and mind. The assembly watched a New Year’s blessing by the Head Abbot of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order HQ, the Most Venerable Hsin Bau, and then took part in the sutra transcription. Venerable encouraged participants to connect with prajna through the practice of copying the sutras, cultivating focus and patience, awakening wisdom and bringing fulfilment to all aspects of life.
On the first day of the New Year, lots of visitors to the Temple make wishes and prayers. The Water Drop Teahouse was bustling with visitors enjoying vegetarian food and the Temple was filled with the joyful atmosphere of the New Year. On behalf of the Temple, Abbess presented participants with the Founding Master’s blessing couplets and auspicious red packets, wishing everyone peace and safety in the New Year.
