FGS Chinese New Year Dharma Function

This year’s Chinese New Year fell on the 28th January 2017. In the morning of the Chinese New Year, a ‘Praying to Thousand Buddha Dharma function’ was held in the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple South Island. In the Buddha Hall, FGS temple Minister in Charge Venerable Jue Xi led a congregation of more than 70 pious devotees in their prayers seeking protection and blessings from Buddha and Bodhisattva.

Afterwards in her deliberation, Venerable Jue Xi pointed out that if once one’s heart is filled with kind thoughts, one’s fortune will automatically change for the better. Venerable Jue Xi illustrated this by sharing with the congregation, in story forms, methods adopted in the past by a few people in changing their fortunes. She encouraged the devotees to emulate the people in the stories, let go of their afflictions and ego, and open up their hearts. Thereafter, their wisdom will grow and, naturally, good fortune will follow.

On this Chinese New Year day, about 300 devotees came to the Temple for their prayers and other activities. At noon, they were treated to a captivating lion dance performance. The crowd responded to the wonderful performance by rounds of applause. Though they were away from their mother land, such joyous atmosphere managed to lift the devotees’ mood in their Chinese New Year celebration.