Nathan Lo
September 4, 2023

On September 6, Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta together with BLIA Sydney East 1, West 1 and West 2 Subchapters, commemorated Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s birthday by holding a special event with the theme "Half a Bowl of Pickled Vegetables." They prepared “Half-bowl of Pickled Vegetables Three Act of Goodness Rice Balls” to express gratitude to Venerable Master and to transmit the spirit of Fo Guang Shan.

BLIA Sydney West 1 subchapter committee members explained the origin of “Half-bowl of pickled vegetable rice balls” to devotees. photo／FGS Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta

BLIA members relived the Venerable Master's story through the video "Half a Bowl of Pickled Vegetables". Venerable Master Hsing Yun fell seriously ill when he was seventeen, and his teacher Master Zhikai gave him half a bowl of pickles at the time when supplies were extremely scarce. It carried his kindness and unspoken concern and expectations for Venerable Master. Venerable Master Hsing Yun was so touched, he ate the half-bowl of pickles with tears in his eyes, and vowed to dedicate his life to Buddhism, to save all living beings, and to live up to his teacher's kindness. Half a bowl of pickles gave Venerable Master the strength to move on, and later to establish Fo Guang Shan.

Preparation of “Half-bowl of pickled vegetable rice balls.” photo／FGS Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta

On the day, volunteers at Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta started to prepare 250 " Half bowl of Pickled Vegetables Three Act of Goodness Rice Balls” at dawn. The rice balls were delivered with cards explaining the origin of "half a bowl of pickled vegetables” in English or Chinese, so that those who receive them would remember Venerable Master’s kindness and be inspired to fulfill the his long-cherished wish of "Illuminating the Five Continents with Peace and Happiness” while tasting the pickled vegetable rice balls.

BLIA members came to the temple to receive the pickled vegetable rice balls and to commemorate Venerable Master. photo／FGS Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta

Keung Ping from East 1 Subchapter was deeply inspired and believed that gratitude gives the Venerable Master infinite strength on the path of propagating the Dharma. Judy Teng, Advisor of West 1 Subchapter, made a vow to imitate the Venerable Master, o practice the Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings, and to make good affinities with the public.

BLIA Sydney East 1 subchapter committee members delivered the pickled vegetable rice balls to devotees on the commemoration of Venerable Master’s birthday. photo／FGS Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta

Feng Jian, a committee member of East 1 Subchapter, participated in the delivery of rice balls. She recollected the Venerable Master's earnest teachings when she brought the rice balls to the devotees. Yanling, a member of West 2 Subchapter, was familiar with the story of "half bowl of pickles", but found it hard to relate to the hardship of the older generation until now. She felt fortunate that the Venerable Master has compassionately used skilful means to lead her back to her spiritual home. Sarah Shee, a BLIA Scout Leader, is grateful for the compassion of the Venerable Master. The Venerable Master said, "Buddhism depends on me." She vowed to learn from the Venerable Master and bring more joy, convenience, hope and confidence to those around her.  

Michael Tan, the convener of the event and president of West 1 Subchapter was deeply inspired and touched by many Fo Guang members who returned to the temple to assist on a weekday, and who expressed their nostalgia and respect for the Venerable Master. He realised that the development of Humanistic Buddhism did not come easy. We should cherish the blessing of being students of Venerable Master, learn diligently, and keep promoting Humanistic Buddhism so that more people will have the opportunity to encounter and understand the Buddha’s teachings.

Volunteers prepared for the delivery off “Half-bowl of pickled vegetable rice balls” at Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta. photo／FGS Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta