New Year’s Gong Greets Universal Buddhas and Welcoming Year of the Monkey

On the Chinese New Year’s Eve of 7th February 2016, over 5000 revellers came to the temple to celebrate year of the monkey, symbolising smartness and agility.

The “Paying Respect to Universal Buddhas and Longevity Dharma Function” was held at 9:00pm, conducted by Venerable Abbess Manshin where everyone chanted “88 Buddhas Great Repentance Text”. Then “Prayers and Wishes for New Year’s Eve” by Venerable Master Hsing Yun was read and homage were paid to Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Head Abbot Venerable Hsin Bao. This was followed by a lion dance performance by the youth group and a morning chanting service was held with the recitation of the “Heart Sutra”.

During the Dharma talk the Abbess explained that wisdom is a kind of agility, but uncovering it will take many trials and tribulations. Hence we have to cherish our time to learn the Buddha’s teachings and serve the masses. Compared to victims of the recent Taiwanese earthquake, New Zealanders are truly fortunate to be able to live in this Pure Land. The Abbess reminded everyone to follow Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s examples to achieve life’s goals and to uncover the treasure of wisdom according to this year’s motto of “Be smart and agile”.

Fo Guang Shan North Island was festive indeed that night with bright lanterns, 3G4G baby mascots, delicious vegetarian food stalls and receiving red packets from the Abbess. Families of Chinese visitors offered incenses to the Buddha and struck the wishing bell, adding to the atmosphere of the festivity of traditional Chinese culture.

Then members of YAD performed recitations of “100 Syllable Vajrasattva Mantra” and a flash mob dance called “celebrating the new year”. This brought immense joy to the crowd, thus bringing many auspiciousness to this fortune and wisdom filled year of the monkey.