FGS Christchurch Chinese New Year Activities Attracted Thousand Visitors to Celebrate

Fo Guang Shan Christchurch celebrated the Chinese New Year with a range of activities from New Year's Eve on 21 January to the first day of the lunar year on 22 January. Nearly 1000 people from Christchurch came to the temple to celebrate the Chinese New Year. They first visited the Buddha Hall to pay respect, offer incense, flowers, lamps and pray for blessings with sincere hearts. The President of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) south Island Bernie Siew, led 20 volunteers from the South Island to serve the public with joy.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, a Chinese New Year Eve Dharma Service was held, with the Venerable leading the congregation to recite sutras and read aloud the New Year's Eve Prayer, watching the video of Venerable Hsin Bao's New Year's Greetings, and Greeting to Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Venerable Hsin Bao, Venerable Manshin and the congregation. Then, the lion dance performance was held, and CNY red envelopes and couplets were given to the public.

On the first day of the Chinese New Year, a Light Offering Dharma Service was held, with the Venerable leading the congregation to recite sutras and read aloud the New Year's Prayer to pray for a smooth sailing year. Moreover, the lion dance performance and candy giveaway by the God of Wealth which attracted and surprised many visitors.

There were a series of activities for visitors which included incense, flowers, and light offering, pray for blessings, ring the Bell of Happiness, Sutras transcription and enjoy the auspicious porridge ect. The public was full of joy and thanked the temple for remaining open during the epidemic period for people to come and pray for blessings. Most of the visitors had attended the Chinese New Year activities in previous years so they paid attention to social media notice and came again this year.

Furthermore, the Lunar New Year coincides with the Vietnamese New Year. They wore traditional Vietnamese costumes, some of whom hadn't been away from their families and friends for many years, to celebrate at the temple. For local visitors, they were delighted to learn about the traditional Chinese culture and all were happy to be able to celebrate the new year together.