On 15th May 2024, 270 teachers and students from Flat Bush Primary School led by Principal Mr Banapa Avatea participated in The 10th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland.New Zealand Member of Parliament Nancy LU, District Commander of Counties Manukau Superintendent Shanan Gray and Deputy Area Commander of Counties Manukau East Inspector Rakana Cook, showed their support for the education program.
Under the guidance of Abbess of FGS NZ Venerable Manshin and President Evelyn KU of BLIA North Island, the guests observed activities such as students practising calligraphy and mindfulness meditation. The guests also happily joined the Temple team in preparing food, providing the students with delicious Three Goodness Rice, witnessing the positive impact of the 3 Goodness & 4 Givings (3G4G) value on the community.
Abbess Manshin guided Supt Gray and Insp Cook in offering flowers at the Main Shrine. In addition to explaining the Māori Green Stone gifted by the New Zealand Police in 2007, she also introduced the upcoming Emperor Liang Repentance Dharma Service, which will be commenced at the end of May. Supt Gray asked specific questions related to Give Convenience, to which the Abbess answered that Give Convenience is a skilful means of wisdom that involves providing assistance and service to help solve problems. For many years, FGS Temple New Zealand has continuously promoted the 3G4G value proposed by the Founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The Temple team expressed gratitude for the support of the police officers and the school in building a harmonious society.
Supt Gray remarked that it is commendable for the Temple to provide free meals to students attending the event. The fried rice ensured the students were well taken care of, creating positive experiences and showing care for their physical and mental health. MP Nancy LU shared that learning the 3G4G song with the students and seeing their bright smiles was a heartwarming experience. She expressed gratitude for the decade-long collaboration between Fo Guang Shan and the New Zealand Police in their unwavering dedication to the community and the younger generation, continuing to spread kindness and positive energy.
Principal Avatea stated that the 3G4G aligns closely with the values of school, helping students work together to become useful members of society. Flat Bush School has participated in the program for three consecutive years, and he is delighted to see students discussing their wonderful experiences at the Temple, the people they met after returning to school. He expressed deep gratitude to FGS Temple for organising this educational event and promised to bring the students back to the Temple next time. The principal also invited the Fo Guang Shan community to visit the school and looked forward to joining the VEGRUN Global Charity Run event. The students expressed their gratitude to FGS Auckland with a Māori dance and highly praised the Three Goodness Rice provided by the Temple, noting that the Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings is an excellent practice in daily life.