On 30th April 2024, the Temple launched the 10th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing, which lasted for a month. On 29th May, the 34th session was attended by 160 teachers and students from Mangere East Primary School in South Auckland, marking a successful conclusion to this year’s festival. Over the past decade, a total of 62 schools from New Zealand’s two major cities, Auckland and Christchurch, have participated with more than 33,000 teachers, students, and parents joyfully visiting the Fo Guang Shan Temples to learn about the 3 Goodness & 4 Givings (3G4G) values. Among these, 20 were intermediate & secondary schools and 42 were primary schools, with 9 schools participating in more than five years.
The Healthy Three Goodness Rice is Widely Popular
In recent events, the Three Goodness Rice specially prepared for students by the Temple has been well-received by both teachers and parents. Abbess Manshin mentioned that 24 years ago, when the Founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun visited Nan Tien Temple in Sydney, he instructed the Temple to add butter to fry rice to feed the seagulls. Over time, seagulls gathered daily at Nan Tien Temple situated on a hill. Following this tradition, the Abbess also advised the Auckland Temple to add rich butter, along with favoured ingredients like potatoes, carrots, soy protein and chickpeas, to fry the rice aromatically and serve it to the students, bringing them joy while eating.
During the month-long event, the Temple used 500 kilograms of rice, 200 kilograms of potatoes and ten bags each of various ingredients to cook the delicious Three Goodness Rice for everyone. Many students asked for seconds, praising the meal as so delicious! Viansh, a student from Ormiston Primary School, kept sharing what he had learned at the Temple with his family and particularly enjoyed the Three Goodness Rice. His parents were amazed that their son ate eight bowls and was curious about the size and portions of the bowls. The students expressed their gratitude for the free healthy meals provided by the Temple and were curious about the cooking method of the Three Goodness Rice, hoping their parents could make the same dish at home.
The 3G4G Theme Song Echoed with Joy and Confidence
This year, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) New York Chapter President Jenny CHEN composed a theme song titled 3G4G for the 10th 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing, making it a highlight of the event. The song features a catchy, upbeat rhythm combined with rap, making it easy to sing along. Hadassah Vaoa, a teacher from Finlayson Park School, mentioned that it was her first time visiting with her students, and she noticed that they enjoyed the singing
session which connected the students with Samoan culture. Student Finnix Tauti said that learning to sing the song boosted her confidence.
Susan Nelson, a teacher from Sunnyhills School, noted that the education program was very diverse and thanked the organisers for their thoughtful planning, which fully engaged the students. She mentioned that the lively song is perfect for playing during school assemblies. A parent Kay, said that the program was rich and well-paced, with each segment being educationally meaningful, benefiting not only the students but also herself. She planned to post the lyrics of the 3G4G song in her child’s bedroom as a daily reminder of the Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings.
Andrew Flanagan, the Deputy Principal of Baverstock Oaks School, which is adjacent to the Temple, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and the well-prepared activities for the students. He was impressed by the 3G4G song and looked forward to the students learning it. Some students even inquired if the song was available on Spotify, hoping to sing along every day.
Fully Supported by the New Zealand Police
With strong support from the New Zealand Police, a total of 21 officers participated in this year’s program. School Community Officers including Sen Const Matt Green, Sen Const Marina Phillips and Sen Const Pauline Orpet attended almost every event. They used different ways to enhance students’ safety awareness and provided opportunities for students to engage positively with law enforcement. Elaine Skelton, a teacher from Finlayson Park School, expressed that she enjoyed every aspect of the education program, especially the interactions with the police, which taught students the importance of giving rather than taking. In addition, the joy of giving aligns well with the school’s Anti-Bullying Week activities. The students noted that the police officers were kind and humorous. They enjoyed discussions on topics such as donuts and vaping and learning a lot about safety.
The Founder’s Teachings Spread the Seeds of Goodness & Beauty
Over 200 students from Willowbank School encountered a torrential downpour on their way to the Temple. Despite the rain, the students’ enthusiasm remained undeterred. Escorted by police officers, every student arrived at the Temple joyfully, exclaiming that We have finally arrived! The scene was very moving. Parents expressed gratitude to the organising team for their meticulous planning and to the volunteers for their efforts in making the event successful. Some students drew different coloured wise words of Venerable Master from the Prince Siddhartha Exhibition to take home. Their mothers explained the meanings of these wise words, fostering precious bonding time through meaningful interactions. The profound saying also planted seeds of goodness and beauty in the students’ hearts.
The New Zealand 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing has integrated into the community. Schools expressed their fortune in having such diverse cultural experiences in East Auckland, which fosters inclusive thinking. For students, it is an excellent opportunity to learn, experience and understand one another. The values of 3G4G have enriched the students’ minds and broadened their perspectives, constantly reminding them to be kind and to do good deeds.