Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
May 8, 2023

On May 2, the 9th "New Zealand Fo Guang Shan Three Acts and Four Givings Humanistic Buddhism Festival of Cultural Sharing" was held at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple New Zealand. 300 9th grade students and 15 teachers from Rutherford College participated in the event.

The "3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing," now in its ninth year, attracted over 4,000 students from 24 schools to participate this year, with nearly 30,000 primary and secondary school teachers and students having participated in total.
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple New Zealand welcomed the students and teachers from Rutherford College. photo／Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple New Zealand

The deputy principal of Rutherford College, Mr. Brendan Curran, stated that the Buddha's Light International Association(BLIA) temple is a unique place, and the educational promotion of the Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings is of great significance in providing positive energy to students. Adeline, the person in charge of Rutherford College, stressed that since 2019, the school has officially included the "3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing" as an annual activity for ninth grade students, allowing students to learn about different cultures and to promote equality and respect.

At the end of the event, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple New Zealand gave out beautiful pencils with the words "Three Acts of Goodness, Four Givings" to the participants, hoping to pass on the spirit of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's "Four Givings" and leaving a foreshadow of virtue and beauty for the attending teachers and students, and help them write the new chapter of hope in life.
Students learned sitting meditation to calm the thought. photo／Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple New Zealand