Fo Guang Shan New Zealand
November 22, 2023

The Global VEGRUN Movement has once again created a buzz across NZ schools. On 20th October 2023, the BLIA North Island Chapter collaborated with Howick Intermediate School, to organized the VEGRUN event with the theme ‘You Run, I Plant Trees’. The relationship between the Temple and the school formed after the students participated in the 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing in May 2023. Upon learning about the VEGRUN objective, which aims to mobilize students to plant trees in New Zealand and promote environmental care, the school actively encouraged all 560 students from Year 7 & 8 to participate.

Before the start of the race, Venerable NengChien explained the meaning of the run to the teachers and students. She introduced the Three Goodness & Four Givings philosophy by the Founder of FGS Buddhist Order, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, encouraging everyone to ‘do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts.’ For every 10 kilometers run by participating students, BLIA North Island will donate a tree to support New Zealand’s tree planting project.

The students at Howick Intermediate School are full of energy and enthusiasm. When the BLIA members arrived, student Roland took the initiative to greet and assist with preparations, while the warm-up was led by the sports captain. After the event concluded, students also volunteered to tidy up the venue. Some students excitedly share with the BLIA members, ‘I know the Fo Guang Shan Auckland Temple has cherry blossom m trees! I’ll visit the Temple to see them!’

BLIA North Island Chapter collaborated with Howick Intermediate School, to organized the VEGRUN event. photo／FGS NZ

Principal Sara Pickering personally attended the event to cheer for the students and expressed her delight that the school could be a part of this meaningful activity. She was proud of the students’ passionate participation and that the school could donate 100 trees through this run. VEGRUN is set to become a recurring activity in which the school collaborates with the Temple. Furthermore, upon learning that FGS NZ sponsored the National Basketball Team to participate in Taiwan’s BLIA Cup University Basketball Tournament, she was pleasantly surprised and honored that the school also received a gold ball.

Teacher Andrew Barnett expressed his gratitude to the Fo Guang Shan Temple for inviting the school to join the community event and thanked the BLIA members for ensuring everything ran smoothly. The atmosphere of the day resembled a joyous sports celebration, and each teacher and student took pride in their contributions. After the run, students were pleasantly surprised to receive a sweet apple treat. Notably, two female students went above and beyond, each running an extra 5 kilometers, in hopes of making an even greater contribution to the planet.

The students at Howick Intermediate School are full of energy and enthusiasm. photo／FGS NZ

The VEGRUN garnered a positive reception from both teachers and students, reflecting the community’s commitment to enhancing physical well-being and ensuring the Earth’s sustainability. Every stride taken and tree planted represented their collective aspiration for a greener future.