The Temple Continue to Celebrate the New Year through Multiculturalism
From 28th to 30th January the temple has celebrated 3 days of Chinese New Year with the “Celebration by spreading the sound of the New Year far and wide” event. The day’s event included Blessing Dharma Function, receiving red packets, vegetarian food stalls, culture stalls, ringing wishing bells, making prints of Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s calligraphy etc, attracting many visitors to celebrate the New Year.
During 1st day of the New Year a “Paying Homage to a Thousand Buddhas” Dharma Function was conducted inside the Main Shrine, where Venerable Abbess Manshin led a congregation of 300 to offer prayers and lights. The merits from these offerings were transferred in wishing for a happy and bright new year for each other’s friends and families. During the Dharma talk the Abbess wished everyone “Happiness and Prosperity” and reminded all that both internal and external prosperity are important. The Abbess also explained that becoming prosperous must start with diligence and thrifty, and that Buddhism also emphasis creating more good and happy affinities in order to cultivate more good conditions during everyday life. Giving society more constructive language and positive attitude, use the compassionate relinquishment of Four Methods of Embracing to improve one’s merits, and be willing to give more, serve more while willing to sacrifice more. This will enrich one’s life and excavate one’s limitless Dharma treasure. Finally the Abbess also concluded the speech by wishing everyone a prosperous and happy New Year.
This year NZ Police has set up a recruitment stall outside, attracting 250 potential new candidates for the force. Asian Liaison Officer Justin Zeng thanked the temple by exclaiming “Thanks to Fo Guang Shan for providing this platform and the successful results was a pleasant surprise!” He felt that people who can walk into the temple must be kind hearted and are willing to help others, hence seeking recruits here was definitely a good idea.
YAD members have been doing lion dance performances for over 3 days, bringing much joy and festivity to celebrating visitors for the New Year. Many also came to receive a “New Year’s Auspicious Red Packet” from the Abbess. They formed into a U shaped line on the courtyard to receive the special gift, many expressed that: “Every year we never miss this chance to receive the red packet, for it marks good fortune for the New Year, hence no matter how long the line is we are willing to wait!”
This year there is a “Venerable Master’s Calligraphy Ink Rubbing Stall” near Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 1. Volunteers at this stall patiently taught visitors how to make ink rubbings of Venerable Master’s calligraphy transcriptions. This taught everyone the ancient Chinese art of “ink rubbings” and allowed them to personally experience the message of Venerable Master’s words, enable them to empathize with the Venerable Master’s heartfelt intentions.