The work of a humble and widely respected east Auckland spiritual leader is being recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List.
Venerable Abbess Manshin, of Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple in Flat Bush, has been appointed a Member of The New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the community.
“We are grateful New Zealand recognizes the work that the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple has done,” the Temple told the Times.
“However, this honour should be attributed to our founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun.
“His teachings emphasise success isn’t about individual accomplishments but rather the collective power of the community that enables the achievement of so many things.”
Abbess Manshin, a member of the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Buddhist Order, has been involved in numerous projects and initiatives not just locally but around the country.
In 2003 she led the construction of two Buddhist Temples in Auckland and Christchurch and has dedicated herself to serving communities across New Zealand.
Abbess Manshin established the 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing, a free educational program in which more than 33,000 students from 63 schools in Auckland and Christchurch have participated over the past 10 years.
The program focuses on instilling the values of the ‘Three Goodness – Do Good Deeds, Say Good Words and Think Good Thoughts’.
As curator of the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery NZ, she supports local artists by providing a platform to present their works.
She’s worked with more than 300 artists to promote art and share “harmonious messages” with the community.
The Abbess has initiated celebration events such as the Lunar New Year and Chocolatte Festival to celebrate diversity and bring people together.
She’s led the team to co-operate with the Red Cross Meals on Wheels service since 1997 and opened the Temple to provide shelter and meals for people impacted by the devastating 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
The Abbess has formed a close working relationship with NZ Police, with local senior officers regularly attending the Temple’s many public events.
She served as an honorary Patron of Wing 261 to a batch of 38 new constables in 2010 and has previously organised a Crime Prevention Expo.
In 2022, Abbess Manshin quickly co-ordinated the distribution of 15,000 Covid-19 RAT tests to 97 Auckland and Christchurch schools within a period of just four days during the pandemic.
She recently spoke to EastLife editor Farida Master about her faith, what motivates her, and her work in the community.
The Abbess explained she believes the world belongs to people who serve others.
“It’s only when you come across a difficult situation that you work toward a solution and discover the immense reservoir of strength and determination you have within.
“There should be no pampering. It makes people weak.
“Those who can take hardship have a bright future. They can take on a mission and ensure it is completed.”
It’s important for humanity to have more strength and energy, she says.
“A lot of times children teach their parents good values.
“We enable them to inculcate a positive attitude during times of trouble and help transform themselves.”
Botany MP and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has congratulated the 176 Kiwis recognised in the honours list.
“The New Zealanders being honoured in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours have given decades of service to their communities and country,” he says.
“New Zealand is a better country for the contribution that each of these people have made over many years.
“Every person on this list has made a difference to New Zealand and on behalf of all Kiwis, I thank them for their service and congratulate them all on their well-deserved honours.”
Alongside Venerable Abbess Manshin, two other east Auckland locals have also been recognised in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List.
Farm Cove resident Ian Godfrey has been appointed a MNZM for services to surf lifesaving and water safety education, while John Bray, of Mellons Bay, has received The King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to rugby league.
The Times will have stories on Godfrey and Bray and their respective accomplishments and contributions later this week.
