The camp concluded successfully, with thanks extended to the children, parents, volunteers, and teachers. Parents expressed deep appreciation to Nan Hua Academy for the excellent care and education provided to their children. They highlighted significant benefits such as learning Chinese and enjoying the camp despite initial reservations. These testimonials underscore the impactful efforts of the academy and the positive experiences it offers children in Bronkhorstspruit.
Nan Hua Academy organized a three-day Winter Camp for children aged seven to twelve, with 31 participants from Bronkhorstspruit. On the first day, the children had the opportunity to watch a youth from the Young Adult Division perform Diabolo. The camp featured classes in Dance, Games, Mandarin Chinese, and Computer literacy. Our goals included developing critical thinking skills, fostering diversity through interaction with peers from different backgrounds, promoting friendships, and enhancing motor skills and teamwork. This holistic approach aimed to provide children with a positive outlook on life. On the last day, the children enjoyed a tour around Nan Hua Temple.
The camp concluded successfully, with thanks extended to the children, parents, volunteers, and teachers. Parents expressed deep appreciation to Nan Hua Academy for the excellent care and education provided to their children. They highlighted significant benefits such as learning Chinese and enjoying the camp despite initial reservations. These testimonials underscore the impactful efforts of the academy and the positive experiences it offers children in Bronkhorstspruit.
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The Youth and Children's Talent Camp at Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple took place from June 30th to July 7th, hosting 140 participants from across South Africa. The event spanned 8 days, with the first 4 days dedicated to the Youth Camp and the latter 4 days to the Children’s Camp.
This year, the camp featured Chinese traditional sports teachers from Taiwan specializing in folk dance and diabolo, emphasizing hand-eye coordination and new skill acquisition. Participants also learned independence, teamwork, communal living, and polite interactions. Children embraced the Three Acts of Goodness—doing good deeds, speaking good words, and thinking good thoughts—in their joyful learning and activities. Ven. Hui Fang, the Abbot of Nan Hua Temple, highlighted, "The core value of the camp is to nurture children and youth through recognition and personal growth, helping them understand themselves, find their place, and discover their life direction." The camp concluded with impressive dance and diabolo performances showcasing the participants' achievements. Reflecting on their experiences, children and youth emphasized the significance of teamwork, care, and personal growth, expressing gratitude to parents and mentors for their unwavering support. On May 11th and 12th, Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple celebrated Buddha's Birthday at the Johannesburg Theatre, featuring 'Siddhartha the Musical' from the Philippines.
Audience members were given the opportunity to bathe the baby Buddha, coinciding with this auspicious occasion. The Musical received great acclaim during its two-day run at the Mandela Theatre. The South African Minister of Basic Education expressed gratitude to Nan Hua Temple for the inspirational play, highlighting its potential for promoting the concept of Three Goodness in South African schools. The audience gained deep insights into impermanence, aging, illness, and death, emphasizing the importance of living in the present. They also learned about Buddha's teachings and women's ordination. The performance emphasized the importance of embodying the principles of the Three Goodness for the betterment of the world. It also promoted the idea that having mental clarity leads to inner purity. Despite a small cast, the musical delivered a stunning performance, leaving a lasting impression. From May 6th to 9th, the campus adaptation of "Prince Siddhartha the Musical," which highlighted the Three Acts of Goodness (doing good deeds, speaking good words, and thinking good thoughts), was performed for primary and secondary school learners in the surrounding areas of Bronkhorstspruit. The schools included Dan Kutumela Secondary School, Kgoro Primary School, Vezulwazi Primary School, Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary, and the East Rand School of The Arts, reaching over 2,500 children. Venerable Yong Guang from Fo Guang Shan Philippines encouraged students to excel in their studies. The principals of these five schools expressed gratitude for the valuable learning experience offered by the musical, considering it an exemplary educational model. They emphasized the cultural lessons and the significant impact of the Three Acts of Goodness concept conveyed through the performances, facilitating children's understanding.
On the 5th May, Venerable Yong Guang, Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Philippines, delivered a lecture at Nan Hua Temple on "The Exemplary Teaching and Practice of Ven. Master Hsing Yun - Transforming Lives through Education." She highlighted the profound impact of education on life and recounted how Ven. Master Hsing Yun's leadership has led to the establishment of educational initiatives globally. One notable example was the Sangha School in India, where monks returned voluntarily after its closure, showcasing the lasting effects of education on their lives and aspirations.
Members of the BLIA-Young Adult Division who attended the lecture were inspired by Ven. Yong Guang's recounting of Ven. Master Hsing Yun's persistence and resilience in overcoming obstacles to achieve his goals, particularly in establishing educational institutions. From 24th April to 13th May, in addition to their musical performances, the members of the Siddhartha Musical collaborated with the Nan Hua Performing Arts Group, sharing their expertise in performing arts. On 27th April, they conducted a music and rhythm camp for nearly 60 local children, promoting positive values through joyful activities. Furthermore, on 1st May, they provided workshops for the Nan Hua Performing Arts Group covering vocal techniques, body movements, leadership, and self-affirmation. From 4th to 5th May, the Nan Hua Performing Arts Group reciprocated by sharing their expertise in African drumming, dance, and culture, fostering mutual learning. "Prince Siddhartha the Musical" premiered on May 3rd at the Musaion Theatre, University of Pretoria, South Africa, with approximately 200 attendees, including Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sunil Maharaj, Head of the Religious Studies Department Prof. Maniraj Sukdaven, and various professors and students.
Prof. Sunil Maharaj commended the musical's professionalism, highlighting its educational value for students. Prof. Lall from the Botany Department, originally from Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, appreciated the musical's conveyed message. The audience engaged enthusiastically during the performance, raising numerous questions about Buddhist concepts and the production afterward. Students were captivated, deepening their understanding of Buddhism and expanding their cultural perspectives. On April 26th, Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple hosted a press conference at the Johannesburg Theatre to announce the forthcoming staging of " Siddhartha the Musical" on May 11th-12th. Venerable Hui Fang, the Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple, expressed gratitude to the Dharma protectors and devotees for their support, which made the event possible. Venerable Hui Fang explained that despite an invitation four years ago, it is only now, that the conditions have ripened to fulfill Ven. Master Hsing Yun's wish of showcasing the musical globally.
Head Abbess Venerable Yong Guang of Fo Guang Shan Philippines discussed the origin of "Siddhartha the Musical," characterizing it as a manifestation of "love." Despite the Philippines' predominantly Catholic population, exposure to Buddhism through this musical has deepened their faith. Additionally, performers associated with the musical and Fo Guang Shan have had the privilege of traveling to more than twenty countries. Junrui, the director, revealed that the musical has enjoyed a successful seventeen-year run and is set to stage its 224th to 230th performances in South Africa, with plans to engage community schools as well. He emphasized Ven. Master Hsing Yun's aspiration to use the musical as a vehicle for spreading the benevolence of Buddha's teachings, aiming to inspire audiences to pursue improved lives. Venerable Hui Fang highlighted Ven. Master Hsing Yun's teaching of "We are all global citizens" and the shared human quest for equality, happiness, and goodness, regardless of race. He expressed confidence in "Prince Siddhartha the Musical" as a means to convey these universal values to the South African audience. Additionally, he emphasized South Africans' inherent affinity for goodness and their openness to Buddhist teachings, evident in the swift ticket sales for the upcoming theater performances. FGS Nan Hua Temple hosted their Baby Blessing Ceremony 2023 on 1 January 2023 for good health, fortune and the power to overcome adversities in life to be wished upon the children. The Baby Blessing provides hope, protection and wisdom from the Buddha and Bodhisattvas for the children and their families.
The chanting and procedures included the Incense Anthem, Homage to our teacher Shakyamuni Buddha, the Heart Sutra and the Heart Mantra of Manjusri, also known as the Wisdom Mantra. The baby blessing prayer was dedicated to wishing good fortune in each and every child's education and later their occupation. The temple manager Venerable Hui Xing blessed each unborn baby, baby and child, receiving Buddha’s blessing in hoping for a healthier, joyful and loving life after which he gifted each with a bracelet. The ceremony concluded with everyone chanting the Transfer of Merits. Around 60 babies attended this blessed event and it was a great way to celebrate the beginning another new year. Global VegRun African region commenced their run in mid-November. Since commencement, we have done five runs at various schools in the local communities. Our sixth run, being the first public run, at the Voortrekker Monument was held on 26 November 2022. Approximately 700 hundred people participated in the 5lm, 10km and 21km run, and ran an estimated 8000km at the single event.
Nan Hua Temple and the Voortrekker Monument Running Club co-hosted the Voortrekker Monument Run over the weekend. The event had numerous pre-entries and also had on the day registrations for the various race categories. On the day of the event, BLIA Pretoria Chapter members handed out VegRun t-shirts to participants and encouraged everyone to wear them. Chairman of Voortrekker Monument Running Club, Mr Joep Joubert, was very happy for the opportunity to work together with Nan Hua Temple to contribute to charity through running at the beautiful premises of the Monument. He hopes that we can host more meaningful events in future. Chairman of Gauteng North Athletics Association, John, was ecstatic about the VegRun and hopes that it will better promote athletics in the future and allow everyone to come together and help the disadvantaged people in our society. Vice-Chairman of BLIA Pretoria, Dr Alice Chan, participated in the 5km ran and was exceptionally happy to have participated in a multicultural run for the first time. Seeing a father of three persevere through 5km with his children whilst pushing a stroller was even more astonishing and left a lasting impression. The run did not discriminate against people, a deaf family of three participated in the VegRun and completed the 5km run. They hope to raise more awareness of climate change issues and wish to challenge the 10km next time. Since the commencement of the run in Africa, we estimate that 40 tons of maize meal will be donated to impoverished families. At the end of the event, Abbot Hui Fang spoke about hosting the VegRun at Voortrekker Monument not only brings together people through running but also reminds us of the hard work by our predecessors to build the rainbow nation. Not only should we appreciate our country but we should also appreciate our planet and bring awareness to climate change issues. We should promote vegetarianism to help combat climate change to protect our planet. You run 5km, we donate 5kg of maize meal
The word “VEGRUN” is an abbreviation for vegan run or vegetarian run. We would like to dedicate this run for the promotion of vegetarianism and veganism. The word “Veg-Revival” is associated with the revival of life through vegetarianism. Through your participation of the VegRun, you will not only be contributing towards charity, you will also be promoting vegetarianism which is a dietary choice that allows for the slowing down of global warming to sustain and protect our planet. We hereby extend our invitation to everyone to participate in our VegRun event. Through your participation, you will not only revive your body by exercising but also enable you to spread awareness on climate change and environmental issues to revive our planet. Let us join force and run for the love of our world. “VegRun for Love, Let love flow” “For Health, Joy, Love, Environmental Protection” Virtual Event Details: 1- Date: 15 October 2022 until 15 December 2022 2- Place: anywhere 3- Distance: 3km / 5km / 10km / 21km / 42km Please note that you can run or walk anywhere, anytime and any distance during the duration of the event. You can accumulate the distance covered and upload it at your convenience. Registration Method:
Please note that in order for your run to be captured, you will need to upload a screenshot of your run details displayed by your running app. You can use apps such as Marathon’s World, Nike Run, Relive, Adidas, Mi Fitness etc. For any further information, please visit: https://ipuregreen.org/vegrun/ Organiser: iPure Green Regional Organiser: BLIA Chapters in Africa and Nan Hua Temple Website: www.nanhua.co.za Facebook: Nanhuatemple Telephone: 013-931 0009 WhatsApp:072 176 9138 |
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