Jul 2009

Participated in AASR Seminar Top

By Merit Times Reporter Venerable Xin Wei in Wollongong, Australia

On June 29^th, Venerable Miao You and Venerable Miao Chun of Nan Tien Temple were invited by Australian Association for the Study of Religions to participate AASR Seminar held at Australian Catholic University. There were sixty five teachers of HSC attended. The teachers recommended Nan Tien Temple to participate in the seminar as representative of Buddhist groups. In first session, bishop Tom Framo lecture on "Darwin, Evolution, Belief in Australian School". In the second session, doctrine and rules of modern Islam were discussed. In third session, group discussion of religions were held. Seventeen teachers chose Buddhism. Venerable Miao You stated "Harmony of Religious Culture". Venerable Miao You introduced history of Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Humanistic Buddhism, equalization, three practices, and three mainstreams of Buddhism.

Jul 3

Orientation and Value of Buddhism Top

By Merit Times Reporter Darma in Argentina

On July 1^st, through recommendation of Clarin Argentina, reporter of La Razon, Pedro and photographer visited IBPS Argentina for interview and photography to make report on Buddhism. Venerable Miao Yuan stated the four objectives of Fo Guang Shan Monastery, "Propagating Buddhism Through Culture", "Fostering Talent Through Education", "Benefiting Society Through Charitable Programs", and "Purifying Human Minds Through Buddhist Practice". Venerable Miao Yuan demonstrated bowing to Buddha and posture of meditation. Tourism of Argentina has listed IBPS Argentina as tourist site of religion. All levels of school listed IBPS Argentina as temple for learning Buddhism in religion class. Hope Argentina young adult could find orientation and value of oneself through Buddhism. The temple presented booklet "What is Buddhism?" and decoration to the visitor and encourage them to participate in meditation and Buddhism class.

Jul 3

Young Adult Talent Camp Top

By Merit Times Reporter Venerable Chue Kai in South Africa

On July 1^st, nearly eighty young adults from Johannesburg, Pretoria, New Castle, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town came to participate in Young Adult Talent Camp at Nan Hua Temple. "Complete the Relation" broke the time barrier of being acquainted. Abbot of Nan Hua Temple, Venerable Hui Fang hoped everyone learn without pressure and follow teachers' instructions. Hope everyone follow the regulations of the camp, learn diligently, and get to know more friend, and enrich their life. The program included "Exhort from Tutor" by Venerable Yi Chun, "Look, Who's Talking?" by Venerable Hui Fang, sign language of "Harmonize" by Venerable Hui Xing, "Hip Hop Dance" by professional, "Mask Fun" by Lu Yi Ling, "Chinese Calligraphy" by Venerable Hui Xiang, and recycling art by Venerable Yong Xun. The participants also take turn in table service and clean the dishes. There will be sleeping quarter inspection and days without cellular phone and MP3. At the end of four days and three nights, three groups with excellent scores will be given award in the closing ceremony. On July 6^th to 10^th, the young adults will provide service to Children Art Camp.

Jul 3

Relay to Service in College Entrance Exam Top

By Merit Times Reporter in Chiayi, Taiwan

On July 1^st, BLIA Teacher Chiayi, BLIA 1^st East Chapter, BLIA Shuishang, and BLIA 2^nd East Chapter set up examinee service station at Chiayi High School. The chapters provided the service in relay. The volunteers handed out cup water, fan, facial napkin, Merit Times, and promoted Fo Guang University and Bo Ai Community College. Promotion were made of Drug Prohibition Ambassador Friendly Group which will be initiated on July 3^rd at Chiayi Guild Hall. President of BLIA Teacher Chiayi, Wang Li Rong stated that although it is painstaking, providing service to examinees is making good relationships.

Jul 3

Buddha Light Children Summer Camp Top

By Merit Times Reporter Yan Xiao Zhu in Pingtung, Taiwan

On July 1^st, Ping Tung Temple held " Omnibearing Education 2009 Buddha Light Children Summer Camp" for five days. Nearly two hundred Buddha Light children participated. Councilor Su Gui Mei, principal of Da Tong Primary School, Lin Chun Wen, monastics of Ping Tung Temple, directors and presidents of BLIA Pingtung chapters attended. Venerable Miao Zhang stated that theme of the camp is omnibearing education, which apply the six senses in life. Nearly seventy young adults from twenty one universities did the service for children. The young adults welcomed the guests with performance of sign language.

Jul 3

Announcement of Painting Award Top

By Merit Times Reporter Lee Jin Huan in Pingtung, Taiwan

On June 22^nd, Sixth "International Fo Guang Yuan Little Artist Award" Compassionate Avalokiteśvara Painting Solicit Contest held evaluation at first floor of Ping Tung Temple. General director of Chinese Association for Education through Art, Wu Long Rong, executive director of Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery, Venerable Ru Chang, and others to choose from 3036 works from worldwide. Excellent works of each category were selected, such as Best Childish Fun. It is estimated to held circulation exhibition in galleries of Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery and award ceremony going to be held in August. The winning works will be make into album. The soliciting works breaks 3000, exceeds 2145 of last year. General director of Chinese Association for Education through Art, Wu Long Rong stated the feature of this year is children of Japan and Singpaore integrated religion and life with bountiful colors, presenting childish fun and compassion. Venerable Ru Chang praised that in the works the topic is clear expressed, especially colorful, if there were more imagination and creativity, it will be perfect.

Jul 3

Book Donation Top

By Merit Times Reporter Venerable Miao Dao in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Starting June, Fo Guang Foundation held annual book donation to Chinese primary schools, intermediate schools, and colleges. Monastic and sixteen charity group members donated "Dharma Root", "Hsing Yun's Dharma Talk", "Comic edition of Eminent Monks", "Books by Zheng Shi Yen", and "Thesis in Humanistic Buddhism" to school libraries. Hope the books nurture students' reading habit. The principals joyfully accepted the books. Principal of Pei Chun High School, Zhang Ji Zuo stated the new books will add new style and features to the library. Hope the new books will attract more students to visit the library. There were thirty four schools benefited.

Jul 3

Opening Ceremony of Exhibition Top

By Merit Times Reporter Venerable Miao Dao in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

On June 20^th, Persatuan Penganut Ugama Buddha Fo Guang Johor Bahru and BLIA Southern Malaysia were invited to opening ceremony of "Carry on the Past and Open a Way for Future" Exhibition of Tan Kah Kee and Lee Kong Chian at Sutera Mall in Skudai. There were eighty eight Buddha Light directors attended, including Venerable Miao Dao of Buddha Light Foundation, vice president of BLIA Southern Malaysia, Ye Ya Rong, and Wu Dian Shun. Tan Kah Kee is well known entrepreneur in Malaysia and Singapore and patriot. He devoted in commonwealth and Chinese education, also support revolution in China. Xiamen University were founded by Tan Kah Kee. Lee Kong Chian is his son-in-law, also well known Chinese entrepreneur, educationist, and philanthropist. The exhibition introduced the occurrence of two wise men of the past, displaying related goods, historical information and photos.