Fo Guang Shan New Zealand
December 28, 2023

Fo Guang Shan Christchurch held the annual Laba Congee Sharing Event on the 1st and 2nd of December 2023. Over these two days, nearly 30 people, including Deputy President of BLIA South Island James Low, along with BLIA members, worked together to distribute nearly 1,500 bowls of delicious Laba Congee. The congee was shared with 17 stores, including Chinese medical clinics, schools, devotees and local friends to celebrate Buddha’s Enlightenment Day.

The Team cooks Laba Congee with warmth and dedication. photo／FGS NZ

In preparation for the event, the Team joyfully gathered and got ready the ingredients a few days prior. On the event days, the Team arrived at the Temple before dawn, each undertaking specific tasks to begin cooking. Cooked with warmth and dedication, this fusion of flavours was then packaged for distribution. Some bowls were delivered to schools and stores, while others were picked up by devotees at the Temple. Teachers and students at Hornby High School expressed joy upon receiving the congee, sharing their annual anticipation for this fragrant dish. The store owners appreciate the warmth of Fo Guang Shan’s end-of-year gesture. Additionally, the customers of the Water Drop Café enjoyed the Laba Congee and expressed curiosity about the ingredients.

Laba Congee are packed by devotees at the Temple. photo／FGS NZ

Minister in Charge of FGS Christchurch, Venerable Juexi explained that the tradition of enjoying Laba Congee on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month commemorates the shepherdess’s offering of congee to Buddha, leading to his Enlightenment. To accommodate the schedules of the public, FGS Christchurch celebrated Buddha’s Enlightenment Day earlier in December. Venerable Juexi highlighted that Laba Congee symbolises warmth, harmony, perfection, gratitude and joy. Venerable wished the Team to enjoy the congee with peace and joy.

The store owners appreciate the warmth of Fo Guang Shan’s end-of-year gesture. photo／FGS NZ

The Christchurch Temple remains committed to engaging with the local community through its caring services, actively promoting vegetarianism and spreading harmony and loving-kindness to the community.

The Christchurch Temple remains committed to engaging with the local community through its caring services. photo／FGS NZ