Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
June 21, 2023

On June 14th and June 16th, a group of 69 students from Christ's College in Christchurch, New Zealand, accompanied by priests and teachers, visited the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Christchurch. They engaged in interreligious cultural exchange and experienced the joy of Humanistic Buddhism.

Christ's College is the oldest private boys' high school in New Zealand, with origins in the Church of England's educational institutions. Reverend Cameron Pickering, who led students to visit, maintains a friendly relationship with the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Christchurch and has arranged multiple visits for students to experience Humanistic Buddhism.

Fo Guang member guided teachers and students to look around the temple, introducing the design concepts of the temple's eco-friendly architecture. photo／The Life News Agency

Cameron Pickering expressed gratitude to Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Christchurch for providing a tranquil learning space, making each visit a delightful experience. These visits not only enhance students' understanding of different religions but also help them grow into better individuals who can contribute positively to society.

Venerable Nengchang and Liu Guowei, the director of Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) South Island NZ, guided teachers and students to look around the temple, introducing the design concepts of the temple's eco-friendly architecture. 

Venerable Nengchang explained the parable "A Bowl of Noodles" from "Hsing Yun's Parables," helping the students understand the importance of not taking the love and care given by family and friends for granted. Through self-reflection and caring for others, students learned to cherish everything they have. The teachers and students watched the film "The Life of the Buddha" and participated in activities such as meditation and practicing calligraphy, experiencing the beauty of being present in the moment and having a dialogue with their own hearts.

Venerable Nengchang explained the parable "A Bowl of Noodles" from "Hsing Yun's Parables." photo／The Life News Agency

Teacher Andrew Levenger expressed that this visit was a precious experience for the students. They were able to learn the importance of respect, tolerance, and kindness towards others, which are highly significant in today's society. The values of goodness and beauty will also have a positive impact on the students' lives.

The students mentioned that they were deeply impressed by the serene and beautiful atmosphere of the temple. Before leaving, they received "Dharma Sayings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun" as a gift, along with exquisite pencils and bookmarks. They expressed their gratitude to the temple team for their warm hospitality, allowing both teachers and students to experience a heartfelt spiritual journey.

Students received "Dharma Sayings of Venerable Master Hsing Yun" as a gift. photo／The Life News Agency