Celebrating the First Day of Chinese New Year

On 8th February, the first day of year of the monkey was celebrated at the temple with a “New Year’s Day Paying Respect to a thousand Buddhas Dharma Function”, where Venerable Abbess Manshin led the congregation to recite the “Heart Sutra” and paying homage to a thousand Buddhas.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun has said that: “It’s selfish to just live for one’self, it’s exhausting to live just for one’s family, it’s magnificent to be able to live for the sake of others, and it’s very down to earth to be able to live for the sake society.” The Abbess spoke to encourage everyone to learn great compassion, great wisdom, how to deal with issues with good sense and how to be sincere. By learning “compassion, wisdom, vows and practice” from the 4 Maha-Bodhisattvas, we can lead fulfilled and enriched lives and able to achieve our self-cultivation. She also mentioned that she is touched by the witnessing so many people making light offerings to their families and friends, wishing to pierce darkness by illuminating the mind’s compassionate light of wisdom.

Due to coinciding with Waitangi day, nearly ten thousand people arrived at the temple to pay respect and offer incense to the Buddha for this first day of the Chinese New Year. The crowd also received red packets from the Abbess; enjoyed lion dance performances and delicious vegetarian food. The whole venue was literally filled to the brim. Despite lacking sleep from the night before, all volunteers joyfully and diligent serve the visitors, adding more to the celebrative atmosphere.

“This year is so much for festive than last year, it makes me feel that celebrating the Chinese New Year overseas isn’t any less great than back home.” As quoted by one visitor. This exemplified the warmth of this temple, where BLIA volunteers truly showed off the touching spirit of “giving”.