Chu Un Temple bares photo tilt winners

The Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple awarded  the winners of its photo contest  last April 23.

The photo contest focused on the temple’s architecture, shrines and halls; also about the harmony and joy of teamwork at Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple, as well as the meaningful Buddha Light International Association activities.

The contest started early this year with eight photographers. Francis Franco’s snapshot, entitled Wisdom of the High Temple, won the 1st place; Paolo Marco Mañalac’s Sunset got the 2nd place; and Dennis Tagamolila won 3rd place in his Di Tsang shot.    

This same contest was conducted in eight regions around the globe: Western and Eastern part of North America, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Asia and Taiwan.

All the outstanding entries will be sent to the World Headquarters Secretariate Office and will represent the local temple in the international photo contest – 2008 The Beauty of Fo Guang Photo Contest – to be held in Taiwan sometime this July.

Winning entries in the international competition will be compiled into a coffee table book, which will be circulated to more than 200 Fo Guang Shan Temples all over the world. 

Meanwhile, after the successful showing of “Siddhartha – A Musical Journey to Enlightenment” last year at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the group has merited an invitation by Fo Guang Shan Monastery, International Buddhist Progress Society and Fo Guang Shan University to perform in Taiwan. This is in line with the celebration of Vesak Day or the birthday of the Buddha, Siddhartha. 

All cast and crew of Siddhartha left for Taiwan last week of April for they are booked to perform today in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

This musical drama, directed by Daisy Ba-ad, was originally written and performed by an all Cebuano cast and crew. The story and the songs used are mostly based on the poetry of the prolific writer and venerable master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan.