Fo Guang Three Acts of Goodness Young Artist Awards Celebrate Children's Vision of Peace and a Sustainable Future

Vera Wei

The 2026 Fo Guang Three Acts of Goodness Young Artist Competition, jointly organised by Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta and the BLIA Sydney, co-organised by BLIA Sydney West Subchapter 1, and sponsored by the Hsing Yun Education Foundation Australia, held its awards ceremony on 26 July at Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta. This year's event was inspired by United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, with "Harmony and Peace" as the creative theme. The event attracted 632 artworks from children across Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and other countries. More than 400 guests, teachers, parents, and participants attended the ceremony, celebrating the children's artistic talents and their inspiring visions for a peaceful and sustainable future.

Distinguished guests included Venerable Manko, Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Australia and New Zealand; Venerable Chueh Shan, Abbess of Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta; Councillor Sreeni Pillamarri, representing the Lord Mayor of Parramatta; Councillor Dr Patricia Prociv and Councillor Michael Ng; artist Jan Toulis; Carmel Mackie, Acting President of the Parramatta Art Society  Venerable Juefang,  General Manager of the Hsing Yun Education Foundation Australia; Foundation Director Victor Yu; Daniel Wu, President of BLIA Sydney; together with BLIA advisors, members and community leaders.

Venerable Manko said that Fo Guang Shan has always regarded education as the foundation for nurturing future generations. Through the Three Acts of Goodness—Do Good Deeds, Speak Good Words, and Think Good Thoughts—children are encouraged to develop both character and creativity. She noted that this year's competition reflected the values of SDG 11, inspiring young people to contribute toward harmonious and sustainable communities through art. She also thanked the City of Parramatta for supporting the event and encouraged every child to continue using art to share beauty, inspire hope, and promote peace.

Councillor Sreeni Pillamarri and Australian artist Jan Toulis also addressed the audience, praising the competition for successfully integrating art, education, and sustainability. They commended the children's imaginative artworks for expressing care for environmental protection, peaceful coexistence, and cultural diversity, while demonstrating the enduring relevance of the Three Acts of Goodness in contemporary society.

The event featured four age divisions and presented 134 awards, including the Buddha’s Light Award, Distinction Award, Outstanding Award and Excellence Award. Awards were presented by Councillor Sreeni Pillamarri, Dr Patricia Prociv, Councillor Michael Ng, Jan Toulis, and Carmel Mackie, encouraging children to continue expressing social concern and envisioning a better future through art.

In the 5–6 years category, Kevin Gao received the Buddha’s Light Award for his artwork One World One Peace. He shared that, to him, peace begins with treating everyone around us with kindness, and his artwork conveyed a heartfelt message of friendship and goodwill.

In the 10–12 years category, Marina Chen won the Buddha’s Light Award with Let the Chains Break, Let Peace Begin Now. She explained that seeing ongoing conflicts around the world inspired her work, as children are often the greatest victims of war. Through her painting, she hoped to call for an end to violence so that children's smiles could return.

In the 13 years and above category, Stacey Yip received the highest honour, the Buddha’s Light Award, for Growing Together in Peace. She explained that her artwork was inspired by her vision of an ideal city, expressing the belief that sustainability is not only about protecting the environment but also about creating communities where everyone feels respected and included. She believes that every small action—planting trees, recycling resources, or helping others—can make a meaningful difference and hopes to inspire more young people to build a greener, kinder, and more inclusive future. In the same age group, Ruby Zhu received the Outstanding Award for her oil painting Holding Harmony, depicting a child carefully protecting a candle flame with both hands as a symbol that hope should never be extinguished.

Jingyi Chen, an instructor from Global Art who has supported the competition for many years, once again guided her students to participate. She shared that she helped the students visualise and explore the theme “harmony and peace” using imageries such as handshakes, hugs, and smiles. She believes the competition not only strengthens children's artistic expression but also nurtures compassion, environmental awareness, and a sense of global responsibility. She expressed her hope to participate again next year.

The awards ceremony concluded with warm applause and joyful celebration. Now in its eighth year, the Fo Guang Three Acts of Goodness Young Artist Award continues to integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with the annual theme of BLIA, promoting compassion, peace, and sustainability through arts education. The organisers hope the spirit of the Three Acts of Goodness will continue to take root in families, schools, and communities, inspiring future generations to create a more harmonious and sustainable world.

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