人間通訊社

The Dragon Boat Festival is an ancient Chinese festival celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. On Saturday 8th July and Sunday 9th July 2023, nine volunteers from Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta and BLIA Sydney participated in the first Dragon Boat Festival in Rhodes, with great support from the local community and the local council.

The festival was held along the Parramatta River under sunny skies, attracting many visitors who enjoyed the cultural performances and activities. BLIA volunteers set up a food stall selling vegetarian delicacies, such as homemade curry puffs, vegetarian rice dumplings and other varieties, showcasing the diversity and deliciousness of vegetarian cuisine. They also engaged with the public, sharing the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet and inviting everyone to take immediate action as “what we eat and how we eat determines the future of the world”. Over the two-day event, more than 100 visitors visited the food stall and 34 visitors signed up for

Vegie Plan A, committing themselves to adopt vegetarian habits.

In addition to promoting vegetarianism, the temple volunteers also encouraged the public to participate in other activities organised by Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta, such as ‘Young Broadcasters’ Buddha’s Light Three Acts of Goodness Story Festival, BLIA Scouts Western Sydney, Art and Enrichment Classes, Chinese Language Classes and more. These activities aim to help people experience and understand the ethos of Humanistic Buddhism and cultivate the Three Acts of Goodness, “Do good deeds, Speak good words, and Think good thoughts”.

Nathan Law from East 1 subchapter has expressed his gratitude to the organisers and supporters of the festival, and said they look forward to returning next year with more enthusiasm and energy. They also invited everyone to visit Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Buddhist Temple in Parramatta and join their community of compassion and wisdom.