On 26th February 2022, the BLIA Oceania Fellowship Conference was organised by BLIA World HQ and co-organised by BLIA North Island Chapter. Over 550 participants from seven chapters of BLIA Oceania attended the online conference, including Guiding Venerables, Association Presidents, advisors, sub-chapter presidents, committees and YADs, where 200 attendees were from BLIA North & South Island.
The distinguished guests included BLIA World HQ President Most Venerable Hsin Bau, Acting President Venerable Tzu Jung, Vice President Chao Ming Liu, Secretary-General Venerable Chueh Pei, Oceania Vice Secretary-General Venerable Manko, Director of BLIA Oceania Fellowship Conference Dolly Tsai, BLIA World HQ Director Dominique Yu, Director Natasha Tang, Director Raymond Lee, Director David Yang, Director of Children Education Committee Chui Ching Chen, Deputy Director of BLIA Scholarship Committee Shiow Jau Chang, Deputy Director of Oceania Fellowship Committee Tei-Pei Liao, Deputy Director of Oceania Fellowship Committee Jenniwaty Luhur Hill, Deputy Director of Lay Dharma Lecturer Fellowship Committee Dr Kwong Djee Chan, BLIA World HQ Regional Vice Secretary-General Venerable Yourong and Guiding Venerable of the 2022 Oceania Fellowship Conference organiser & BLIA North Island Chapter Venerable Manshin.
At the conference, video reports from Oceania’s chapters were presented, and BLIA members played interactive games together to relax and have fun. Dr Kwong Djee Chan led the Blessing Workshop, guiding the participants to discuss the challenges of the pandemic and how faith can help us gain strength and coexist with it. The workshop was concluded by the summary reports of six representatives from each Chapter.
In the opening speech of Most Venerable Hsin Bau, he stated that the conference theme Go Green. Do Green. displayed our primary concern on environmental protection and greening action. The topic resonates with Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s environmental and spiritual preservation concept to green the environment and make our hearts brighter and at ease.
Venerable Tzu Jung said that the BLIA had spread worldwide for 30 years. It has become a home of faith for the BLIA members. Moreover, Dharma practice can improve our quality of life, strengthen our character, make us more compassionate, and promote peace in society. She praised that BLIA members in Oceania embraced the Dharma with joy and practised it diligently under the guidance of Venerables.
Director Dolly Tsai said internet technology has improved communication and interaction between people, as online classes and conferencing have become normal. In the pandemic era, the strength and connection of BLIA members are heart-warming, and the 3G4G concept has become ever more important and valuable. She appreciated the efforts of the Venerables and BLIA Oceania committees in leading the members to move forward and settle with physical and mental wellbeing.
Venerable Chueh Pei went online to greet members of BLIA Oceania and acknowledged FGS Christchurch for its resilience after the natural disaster. Even though she could not attend physically due to the pandemic, she was happy to meet everyone online. She believed that under the leadership of Venerable Manko, BLIA Oceania would bring more kindness to the world.
Vice President Chao Ming Liu said that the conference provided a platform for exchanging ideas, learning, and growing together. He was grateful for the Venerable Master’s compassion to promote Buddhism so that more people had the opportunity to learn and practice Buddhism. He hoped that BLIA members would actively pursue the Dharma and spread joy, strength, brightness, and peace to society.
In Venerable Manko’s speech, BLIA created many opportunities for the members to step onto international stages and allowed everyone to improve. She appreciated the courage and commitment of the BLIA members to bring kindness and virtue to the world even though disasters are merciless. She encouraged BLIA members to support one another and achieve greater success.
Venerable Manshin pointed out that the founder of BLIA, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, became renounced at 12. He never forgot his initial aspiration to spread peace and happiness across the five continents. Everyone is pursuing peace and happiness, so the conference focused on the topic of Blessing. She applauded the conference team and the participants for making this conference possible and wished everyone safe and sound.
A handover ceremony was held at the end of the conference. Director Dolly Tsai, Conference Chairperson Lintao Yu and the President of BLIA North Island Chapter Yulin Ku, handed over the baton to the next co-organiser of the Oceania Fellowship Conference, BLIA Western Australia President Kim Yen Chen and Deputy President Kien Hao Tee. The conference was a great success that ended in joy and touching moments, and members look forward to meeting in Perth in 2024.
