Source: https://la.blia.org/2023/09/06/090623/
【羅蘭第一分會 潘青霞撰文】我於9月2日在西來寺歡喜的迎接蔣雨青（Eugene Chiang） 及其同修劉馨清（Christina Liu），這兩位佛光山西方寺的信徒為什麼從聖地牙哥來到洛杉磯西來寺，請讀新聞稿連結，內有完整細節(註一)。
巡迴美國各大城市的樂高嘉年華 (Brick Fest Live)，集啟發創意、教育、娛樂於一體，多家主要媒體報導這是最多樂高迷參加的闔家同歡盛事。佛光山西方寺信徒蔣雨青受邀於8月26、 27日在聖地牙哥站參展，在會場聖地牙哥會議中心 (San Diego Convention Center) ，他以西方寺及亞洲節慶等樂高作品，與眾結緣，小小積木，綻放大大佛光！此次參加樂高嘉年華的孩童也因他的作品認識西方寺，報名了兒童班。監寺妙藏法師肯定並感謝蔣雨青以樂高藝術作為方便法門，接引眾生的用心。蔣雨青說他的下一步是拼出位於洛杉磯的佛光山西來寺。
蔣雨青已經著手拼西來寺主建築群約半年，預計三年完工，此行是為了確認細節，我興沖沖的提供意見，「請拼出西來寺整體的菩提葉形狀喔！」「靈山勝境的許願鐘是熱門景點，很多訪客喜歡在那裡投擲硬幣敲鐘，請拼出來喔！一定讓人備感親切！」蔣雨青一一應允，我還跟他約好，等他完工西來寺，請讓我再寫一篇報導。
孔子說：「有朋自遠方來，不亦樂乎！」我深感，有朋自「西方」來，不亦「樂高」！妙哉！妙哉！
(註一)
樂高嘉年華 聖地牙哥綻佛光
照片提供：佛光山西方寺 (Photos provided by FGS Hsi Fang Temple)
English version (Credited to Avelyn B.)
Title: Special “LEGO-tastic” Friends from Hsi Fang Temple
I was delighted to personally welcome Mr. Eugene Chiang and his wife, Christina Liu to Hsi Lai Temple on Sep. 2. They are devotees of the Fo Guang Shan Hsi Fang Temple in San Diego. To understand the full story of why they had traveled from San Diego to Los Angeles to visit Hsi Lai Temple, please refer to the Chinese newsletter, see link on Note 1.
On Aug. 26 and 27, Mr. Eugene Chiang was invited to participate in the “Brick Fest Live,” which toured major cities in the United States. This event is known for inspiring creativity, education, and entertainment; it usually gets huge media coverage and is considered to be one of the most popular family-friendly LEGO enthusiast gatherings. At the San Diego show of this tour, held at the San Diego Convention Center, Eugene Chiang showcased his LEGO artwork depicting the Hsi Fang Temple within an Asian cultural festival, forging connections with attendees. Through many small LEGO bricks, he successfully illuminated the grand spirit of Fo Guang Shan. As a result, the children who attended this LEGO festival came to know about Hsi Fang Temple and they signed up for the children’s classes offered by the temple. Venerable Miao Zang, the Superintendent of Hsi Fang Temple, expressed her appreciation and gratitude to Eugene Chiang for using LEGO art as a skillful means to appeal to the public. Eugene mentioned that his next project involves creating a LEGO replica of Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles.
Eugene has in fact already begun the construction of the main buildings of Hsi Lai Temple with LEGO bricks; he expects to complete the entire replica of the temple in three years. The main purpose of this visit was to capture all the details inside the temple. I seized the opportunity to give him some suggestions, “Please show the famous Bodhi leaf shape which forms the perimeter of Hsi Lai Temple, and the Wishing Bell located in the Arhat Garden is one of the popular attractions where many visitors like to toss coins to ring the bell.” I said to him, “Please make sure to include these features because many people can relate to them.” Eugene gladly agreed to both of my suggestions. I can’t wait to write another report when he completes the LEGO replica of Hsi Lai Temple.
Confucius once said, “Is it not a joy, when friends come from afar?” I feel that having friends come all the way from Hsi Fang Temple is fantastically “LEGO-tastic!” Wonderful indeed! Wonderful indeed!
(Note 1)
樂高嘉年華 聖地牙哥綻佛光