 | Organizations |
| The Buddha's Light International Association, New Jersey chapter |
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President |
On November 26, 1997, IBPS NJ received certification from Master Hsin Yun and was officially established. Since the first members' meeting on February 1, 1998 we have deeply understood Master Hsin Yun’s ideal of “Humanistic Buddhism”. The members of IBPS have upheld those ideals by contributing energy, time, and wisdom, and actively practicing Buddhism in everyday life, with the goal of purifying the world in mind.
With leadership from the temple and IBPS executives and officers, the NJ Chapter established group understanding and cooperation with Buddhism as its foundation. IBPS NJ had held many activities such as gatherings for members to expand themselves, exercise compassion, and lead society to purity. There are three main types of activities:
1. Educational:
IBPS NJ holds lectures on Buddhism at East Brunswick, Piscataway, Highland Park, Holmdel, and Manalapan, and has established the YAD (Young Adult Division) and five study groups. Other classes include: Buddhist lectures, health lectures, vegetarian cooking classes, floral classes, Tai Chi classes, Cantonese classes, and Chinese computer classes. Other educational activities include the annual youth music camp at Deer Park, instrument and choral concerts , all held in the wish to purify the mind through music.
2. Social Gathering:
We hold monthly birthday celebrations, picnics, and special holiday celebrations. Some notable activities include the Chinese New Year Celebration, the Buddha’s birthday celebration, and the Mother’s Day celebration. We also hold special meal events, for example moon cake for Mid-Autumn festival, hot pot for winter solstice, and thanksgiving dinner for students are each held annually. Other events include wedding and funeral services.
3. Information and publicity:
A bi-monthly publication with articles and an informational web site (http://www.ibps.org/newjersey).
Since its founding, IBPS NJ has actively promoted Buddhist education in various forms with the aim of attracting more people into Buddhis practice. These activities have always won the approval of the parent association, and won the "Award for the promotion of education" in 2002. In recent years, IBPS NJ has blended well with the local community and is praised by the many nearby residents. The Youth Orchestra won the Art Award presented by Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission in 2006. This became the first New Jersey Youth Orchestra to win the Arts Award. At the same time, in October of 2006, the NJ Chapter performed in front of hundreds of other chapters across the world and won an “Excellence Award” from the parent association.
We are not simply content with these achievements, but are filled with a sense of greater responsibility and the desire to achieve higher goals. We will continue to support the service and encourage research into Buddhism, through cultural and educational undertakings, organizing social services, developing of Buddhist education, and working to build a pure land. We wish to deeply root the Master’s ideal, “Make Buddhism life, make life Buddhism,” in New Jersey.
Buddha's Light Youth Group
Young Adult's Division (Y.A.D) of the Buddhist Light International Association (B.L.I.A) was founded in April of 1996. To date, the members of the Young Adult's Division has grown from zero to having presence in all five continents. Like a toddler learning how to walk. New Jersey chapter ?the newest addition to the YAD family ?fumbles along under the guidance of the masters, and the brothers and sisters of BLIA.
Master Huei-Tran has once said, No one task can be accomplished by one person alone. The members of the young Adult's Division learn from each other and grow with each other through different events organized by the group. Being a part of the YAD is an enriching experience where the young adults/young professionals could benefit from expanding ones social circle, networking with other young professionals and becoming a more responsible member of this society.
We welcome you to join us as we embark on a journey of soul searching, and meeting new friends along the way.
| New Jersey Buddha's Light Youth Chinese Orchestra |
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President |
New Jersey Buddha’s Light Youth Chinese Orchestra (NJBLYCO) was founded in the summer of 2002. It initially began as an eight days Chinese music boarding camp, organized by the New Jersey Chapter of Buddha’s Light International Association in Deer Park, New York.
In the fall, the camp director Mr. Chien-Kuo Wei continued the music training program and led the students to perform in various community events. Eventually it evolved into the New Jersey Buddha’s Light Youth Chinese Orchestra.
Since 2005, the orchestra has obtained art grants from the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission each year to fund its annual “The Joy of Summer” Chinese music concert in Nicholas Music Hall at Rutgers University. The orchestra even made an overseas trip to Taiwan in August 2006 and performed six concerts around the island. The future of the NJBLYCO continues to flourish. The orchestra will make its 2nd overseas tour to Europe in the summer of 2008 and perform in Vienna, Luzern, Geneva and Paris.
Besides the annual concert, the orchestra has performed at various events such as: Chinese New Year Cultural Performance at Monmouth County Library Headquarters; New Jersey China Day Festivals (2003 and 2005) at the Liberty State Park; the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Performances (2004 and 2007); the Chinese New Year Concert for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the East Brunswick Library (2 books were bookplated in NJBLYCO’s honor); and the “Music in the Park” Concert in Thompson Park (2007). The orchestra was invited to play ceremonial music for the Confucius Memorial Ceremony as well as the Double Tenth Day Flag Raising Ceremony in 2006 and 2007.
Over the years NJBLYCO has gained recognition and has been featured in The Star Ledger as well as on the New York Chinese Cable TV station, which broadcasted a 30 minutes program to introduce the orchestra.
The mission of NJBLYCO is to nurture Chinese music education and to propagate Chinese music in America. NJBLYCO is a unique musical group that combines the beauty of Chinese and Western music to promote peace and harmony in the world. Members of the orchestra have the opportunity to learn and play not only Chinese instruments but also Western instruments. This enables the orchestra to integrate Western and Chinese instruments together producing a unique accord. All talented young musicians who play a Western or traditional Oriental instrument can join NJBLYCO.
To join NJBLYCO, please refer the Detailed Description
Buddha's Light Chorus was established in August 2004 in Edison, New Jersey. Under the tutelage and guidance of Mr. King, members of this chorus not only improve their vocal skills but also gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the music. Under the leadership of Ms. Lin, they have also demonstrated remarkable esprit de corps. Practice sessions are both educational and fun. The chorus has a steady growth since its inception. It currently holds more than thirty members.
With the support from the masters at NJ Buddha'sCenter and BLIA President, Ms Hsing-Ling Lee, BLIA chorus has actively participated in many community musical programs. BLIA Chorus had its successful debut in the fall of 2004 in Deer Park, NY. In February 2005, BLIA Chorus performed at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in celebration of the Chinese New Year. In May 2005, they took part in the Bathing Buddha's celebration as well as the music program at Ocean County Library. Their performances have won them many fans. In fall 2005, BLIA Chorus held a joint concert with the BLIA Youth Orchestra at Rutgers University in NJ. This year, the chorus was invited to the Monmouth County Library headquarters and Ocean County Library for their annual Chinese New Year and Asian Heritage Month events.
BLIA Chorus welcomes all music lovers to join with no restrictions on age, experience or religious affiliation. BLIA Chorus members wish to foster friendship based on their love for music and strive to promote a beautiful and harmonious society through music.
Mr. Chien-Kuo Wei
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Chien-Kuo Wei, founder and President of New Jersey Buddha's Light Youth Chinese Orchestra, is a graduate Professional Civil Engineer from Rutgers University. He has been a band conductor since his high school years. Inspired by the spiritual leader of the Buddha's Light Mountain, Venerable Hsin-Yun's idea of accompanying Chinese Buddhist Music with the modern Chinese Instrument Orchestra, he started the Buddha's Light Youth Chinese Music Camp in Deer Park, New York and founded the Orchestra in 2001. The orchestra has played for many community events in the past 5 years.
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Chi-Kai King is the conductor of the New Jersey BLIA Choir, which was formed in 2004. In 1986, he co-founded the northern New Jersey-based Jersey Voice Chorus and served as conductor. In 1989 he formed the Jersey Voice Men's Quartet and served as its coach. The Quartet performed extensively throughout New Jersey, singing Chinese folk songs and American barbershop music. In 1997, he served as assistant conductor for the Concert for Peace held at Carnegie Hall which featured Mozart's Requiem and the world premiere of Jin Xiang's Nanjing Lament. In 1999 the Jersey Voice performed under his direction at the Montclair Choral Festival. In 2000, Jersey Voice was invited to appear in a concert produced by the Yangtze Repertory Theatre in New York. In 2002, Jersey Voice was invited by the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood to present a concert as part of their annual concert series. In 2004, he was invited to conduct the Huaxia Morris Chorus at the Huaxia Choral Festival.
Chi-Kai received his Bachelors degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin and his Masters degree in Computer Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is a lead systems analyst at Schering-Plough Research Institute and studies in his spare time at Westminster Choir College. He dreams of a world in which different peoples would come together, sing together, and share in the joys of each other's unique heritage.
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Ms. Lin participated in the China Institute Choir and Univoice Choir in New York City during the eighties. After moving to NJ in 1990, she joined the Chin Yun Choir, which is based in West Windsor NJ. In August 2004, she organized the first meeting for NJ BLIA Chorus in Edison. She wishes to promote the humanistic Buddhism through music.
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Born in Red Bank, Grace started piano lessons with Ms. Shun-Tsu Hsu at age seven. She entered the NJMTA competition several times along with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In the fall of 2005, she joined the BLIA Choir as an accompanist. Grace has accompanied the Choir during the Chinese New Year Festival performance. |
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Accompanist: Cheryl Chang |
| Miss. Chang has been playing piano for ten years. She participated in NJMTA piano auditions and won Honors awards for her performances. However, not only playing to earn awards, she also likes to play piano whenever she has free time. The pieces she played for auditions are more classical. She likes to play more contemporary pieces at spare time. Cheryl was the accompanist for BLIA choir since 2004. She thinks that this experience has been wonderful. She really enjoys playing piano whether it is for the audition, for leisure, or as an accompanist for the choir. |
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Ms. Julie Kong
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The meaning of life is at the creation and continuation of one's being. I thank master Hsin-Yun who found the Buddhist Light International Association (BLIA) to provide lay believers a place to cultivate goodness, wisdom and cumulate
merit. In July 1995, I was baptized under Venerable Master Hsing Yun, and named An-Tao, henceforth, my mind was set to step into Fo-Guan-San to my Buddhist path. March the following year, New Jersey Chapter was officially established. Under the guidance of masters, gradually I stepped more into Buddhism. In August, 1996, I accepted the five precepts, 1997 August accepted the Bodhisattva precepts, here after I feel more carefree and without regret.
In 1997, dharma sisters, brothers and I developed a common consensus to set up a Buddhist Center; hence, BLIA New Jersey chapter was launched. I was selected to be the first secretary, then became vice president and now am serving the president of BLIA New Jersey Chapter. Throughout
the years, I use Master Hsin-Yun's "There's Buddha dharma, there's ways" as a motto, with other officers' support and the spirit of "give others confidence, joy, hope, and convenience", together we planned various events and activities to spread and cultivate Buddhist Dharma. I am very grateful to everyone’s support and encouragement; I hope we can continue to help each other, hand in hand, together to build a pure land.
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