Oceania

On August 8, Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple organised a unique Buddhist wedding in the Front Shrine. Venerable Miao You, a board member of Nan Tien Institute, presided and bestowed blessings. In the presence of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Western couple Kelvin Fussel and Michelle Plant joined in marriage, witnessed by over 30 relatives and friends, in a warm ceremony that harmoniously blended Eastern and Western cultures.

With the first rays of the New Year’s sunrise, on the early morning of 1 January 2026, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland held a New Year pilgrimage and Sutra Transcription. More than 200 devotees, led by the monastics, practised the three steps and one prostration towards the Main Shrine, welcoming the rising sun and praying for world peace and family harmony.

Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple New Zealand was recognised by the New Zealand Gardens Trust on 15 December 2025 as a Garden of Significance, receiving a four-star rating out of six stars.

Nan Tien Institute, founded by Fo Guang Shan in Australia, held its presidential handover tea ceremony on 3rd December, marking a warm yet solemn moment of leadership transition. Professor Denise Kirkpatrick officially concluded her tenure as President, and Professor Alistair Noble—an academic leader with extensive scholarly and administrative experience—assumed the role, opening a new chapter for the Institute’s internationalisation and future development.

The Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra Ltd (MCCI), located in the Illawarra region south of Sydney, hosted its 50th anniversary Gala dinner on September 5 at the University of Wollongong’s main hall.

The talk given by Dr. Ditrich was well attended by Chung Tian branch and other English-speaking members.