The Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) 2020 World Conference was held Online on 4th October 2020. Led by Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi, 30 members of BLIA South Island, consisted of BLIA South Island President Bernie, Vice President James Low, 1st subchapter President Louisa Kuo, BLIA Directors, and Young Adult Division (YAD) members, participated in this Online World Conference, together with 11 thousand BLIA members from 101 BLIA branches scattered throughout 50 Countries.
The 2020 BLIA Online World Conference was opened by BLIA founding President Venerable Master Hsing Yun who extended a big welcome to guests and BLIA members from all over the World. In his speech, Master Hsing Yun encouraged the people to practice the teachings of Buddha in an easy-going, carefree and confident manner to set good example to others so that more people can accept Buddhism, which will help them become better persons, blissful with bright futures ahead. BLIA World President, Chief Abbot Most Venerable Hsing Bao encouraged people to calm their minds with the Dharma during this difficult time of COVID-19 pandemic, and to light themselves up with the Dharma, so that the brightness so emitted by them can impart positively on others.
The Honorary President of World BLIA Wu Po-hsiung, Vice President Liu Chang le, Deputy President Venerable Tzu Rong and Hawa Daillo, Public information officer and head of unit in UN to the Secretariat of United Nations, all encouraged BLIA members to serve the public with zest based on the teachings of Humanistic Buddhism, in order to promote calmness, peace and harmony to make the World a better and more beautiful place.
During the presentation of activity reports by the Regional Representatives of World BLIA, on behalf of BLIA Oceania, the President of New Zealand BLIA North Island, Lintao Yu, presented the BLIA Oceania Activities Report. President Yu thanked BLIA Oceania Chief Abbess Venerable Manko for leading BLIA Oceania in carrying out many meaningful activities for the communities, including: In New Zealand, the holding of the Christchurch Embracing Love and Peace Blessing, organized after the tragic Christchurch mosque shootings incident in 2019. In the concert, 20 Venerables from Oceania took part in the Buddhist Chanting, and senior New Zealand Government officials and leaders of the major Faiths were invited to participate in a blessing ceremony. During the post Covid-19 Lockdown period, a 2020 Blessing Chocolatte – Coffee and Chocolate Festival was held in FGS Christchurch with the aims of soothing the nerves and purifying the hearts of the people. In Australia, BLIA maintained good rapport with the local communities through holding activities such as: Environmental and Spiritual Preservation, local street parade, Rhythm of the World concert, online Buddha Bathing, etc.
The World Conference also held discussions on some important topics with ‘The Buddhist Ways of Maintaining Equanimity’ being the key topic. The speakers on this key topic included Most Venerable Hsing Ding, Venerable Hui Chuan, Venerable Yi Kong and Venerable Jue Pei. From the deliberations of these learned speakers, the Conference participants were able to grow their Dharma Wisdom and increase their general knowledge.
The Theme Song for the Conference was named Connecting Heart. It was broadcast in 3 versions. Adopting the Fun version, New Zealand BLIA North and South Islands presented the traditional Maori dance ‘Poi’ to showcase the special character of New Zealand’s culture. At the same time, participants of BLIA New Zealand North and South Islands wore scarfs with Maori design, and waved New Zealand national flags to highlight the localization of Humanistic Buddhism in New Zealand.
The next 2021 BLIA World Conference has been scheduled to be from 2nd to 7th October 2021. BLIA New Zealand looks forward to meeting BLIA members from all over the World at this Conference at FGS Main Temple Kaohsiung to continue with its effort in the propagation of Humanistic Buddhism.