BLIA members Harmonise at the International Day of Peace
‘Dong, dong, dong’, every year on 21st September, Peace Bells are rung all over the World, calling for the ending of war and violence among countries and for peoples to stop the conflicts among themselves and live harmoniously.
Since 2011, at the invitation of Canterbury Interfaith Society, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island has participated in the ‘Anniversary Prayer for World Peace Day’ event. This year around, FGS South Island was invited by World Peace Bell Association, New Zealand Chapter representative David Bolam-Smith, to attend the ‘United Nations World Peace Day’ event. On 21st September 2018, 10 members of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island together with 6 members of Young Adults Division {YAD} South Island attended the event. The ceremony started with Dean of Christchurch Cathedral, Reverend Lawrence Kimberly, leading the congregation in the recitation of the Theme Prayer. The scene was tranquil and serene. This was followed by speeches from representatives of various societies. BLIA South Island Vice President Lihson Ding, representing FGS South Island, recited Master Hsing Yun’s ‘Prayer for World Peace’. The special guests for the event included Christchurch Councillor Phil Clearwater and New Zealand Government Representatives Ruth Dyson and Nuk Korako. About 30 people attended the event.
Special programmes were drawn up for the occasion, among which were the vocal presentations by the Christchurch Cathedral Choir and the Canterbury Japanese Choir and the hand gesture perfomance “Harmonize” by Buddha’s Light International Association BLIA (Young Adult Division) YAD South Island, all with the aim of presenting the beauty of ‘Peace’ to the World through music. Before the event ended, the participants took turn to ring the Peace Bell continuously, conveying the message of hoping to turn the World into a more beautiful and peaceful place through the combined continuous effort of the people.
The first time the Peace Bell rang was in 1954 in Japan and after that, annually on this day, United Nations has carried out this ‘Prayer for World Peace’ event in all parts of the World. The Anniversary Prayer for World Peace Day for Christchurch New Zealand has been held at the World Peace Bell site in Hagley Park Christchurch. Members of BLIA South Island have continuously participated in this event for the past 8 years.