Cherry Blossom Festival Celebrated at the Temple

This year’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival was held at the temple on 6th November. This festival was attended by over 3000 visitors. The day’s activities included tea meditation by attendants wearing kimonos, vegetarian food stalls, “Little Prince and Princess Beauty pageant”, “Baby Blessing Ceremony”, “Adulthood Ceremony”, and “Marriage Vow Renewal Ceremony”. The temple also gave the book “366 Days with Wisdom” to visitors as parting gifts.

• “Little Prince and Princess Beauty Pageant” – Courage bringing hope
This pageant was participated by 30 4-10 year olds, where the children strutted down a cat walk between the cherry blossom trees decorated by balloons. For the talent part of the competition the children performed drawings, singing, dancing and playing of instruments, which received many rounds of cheers and applauses. The competition was judged by Dolly Tsai, BLIA North Island Head Advisor; Mrs Kay Humby, Mclean College Teacher; Darshi Ariyaratne, Early Childhood Educator. Each children was judged on their costumes, performance and speaking skills. Prizes and merits were awarded to first, second and third place winners. The parents have commented that even though their children were nervous in the beginning, but as long as they can gather the courage to step up on stage to challenge themselves, they will improvement and gain self-confidence and happy with themselves.
• “Baby Blessing Ceremony” – Sweet dews nourishing Bodhi Seeds
This ceremony was joined over 120 babies. The blessings were held in the courtyard where Venerable Abbess Manshin and Venerables chanted the “Heart Sutra” and anointed the babies with holy water. It is hope they will all grow up healthy and wise. A couple especially came for the blessing for her unborn baby, which is due tomorrow. Another couple just happened to drop in with their 6 month old baby and was fortunate enough to coincide with this ceremony, to this the mother exclaimed: “I am so lucky!”
• “Adulthood Ceremony” – Welcoming a bright future
This ceremony was conducted by the Abbess and assisted by youth representatives Jocelyn and Kenneth, where they led 90 youths to recite “Prayers and Wishes for Adulthood Ceremony”. This solemn ceremony marked their next stage in life. Special guest Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, who also happens to be a strategic advisor for the Human Right Commission, spoke about being touched by the temple’s efforts to nurture the youths. He also expressed that the life style of spiritual taught by the temple offers wise guidance for the navigation and thorough investigation of life. He also encourage the youths to take up responsibilities for the good of society. Head Advisor Dolly Also expressed that when many people were young they wish for maturity, but when they have gotten older they reminiscence the times of childhood again, this why we got to work hard during our life. She emphasised that BLIA YAD is a group filled with positivity and that the temple is a good spiritual home. BLIA North Island President Stephen Yu shared his experiences at the temple. He encouraged everyone to discover their areas of lacking and to cherish the opportunities provided by the Venerables and experienced elders at the temple, who also provided this stage for the youths to shine. Finally the Abbess reminded everyone that “The temple is a home to the youth.” She also encouraged everyone to have courage and be responsible, to not fear the challenges in life and to always persevere to reach a better tomorrow.
• “Marriage Vows Renewal Ceremony” – Buddhism strengthening the bonds of marriage
This event was attended by nearly a hundred couples. They gathered underneath the cherry blossom trees to express their devotion and love to their better half. Then six flowers led the way to take everyone into the Main Shrine to start the ceremonies. The day also coincided with the wedding of BLIA North Island Vice-president Bocheng Huang. This joyful occasion for the couple was overseen by the Abbess and witnessed by all the celebrating participants. Then Dr Xing Zhong, Chief Consular of Taipei Economic and Culture Office gave words of praise for this meaningful ceremony. He especially expressed the importance of a harmonious and blissful marriage, which is possible when there is tolerance and understanding at home. This was followed by Dame Susan Devoy, Race Relations Commissioner, who praised the temple by saying “I love to attend events at the temple because it always feels warm to my heart.” She also expressed that the temple is a place with “Race Relations are put in action”, where people of different ethnicity are seen to be mutually respectful and joyful during these events. Then the Abbess quoted “Admiration can bring out even more joy than tolerance, the flames of gratitude can warm and touch the heart, Cherishment can make life more exciting, and new discoveries can bring about a future that has an abundance of joy.” She hopes all the couples here with renewed marriage vows can use Humanistic Buddhism to bring more substance and wisdom to their lives, so their marriage can be even more perfect and blissful. The completion of the “Marriage Vow Renewal Ceremony” was marked by the delivery of high tea provided by the temple, where all the couples looked to the future with positive outlooks. Before parting Dame Devoy commented to the Abbess that “You are so tiny, I want to learn from you.” And confirmed she will continue to join future temple events.